Art Societies in the UK - Resources for Artists

Art Societies

About the RA - Royal Academy of Arts

Founded in 1768, The Royal Academy of Arts has a unique position in being an independent, privately funded institution led by eminent artists and architects whose purpose is to promote the creation, enjoyment and appreciation of the visual arts through exhibitions, education and debate.

The Royal Society of British Artists

The Royal Society of British Artists advocates the highest standards of skill, expression and concept throughout the visual arts. We represent 'leading edge' artists who employ a sound knowledge and application of draughtsmanship as the basis of their work.

New English Art Club - Original Art by Contemporary Artists

The New English Art Club, British figurative, portrait, landscape and still life paintings.

The New English represents the very best of contemporary British figurative painting. It is one of the foremost exhibiting art societies. There are about 70 members, half of whom are women artists. Figurative painting includes all painting that is based on nature - on representation of the visual world. Members are all leading contemporary UK artists producing fine original art.

United Society of Artists

The United Society of Artists is a non-profit making organisation which aims to show high quality works of art at its Annual Exhibitions in Central London. There is no bias towards work of any particular school or medium. UA exhibitions attract artists of international quality and talent.

The UA was first established in 1921 as an art organisation to give artists living outside London the opportunity to exhibit in central London.

Current membership tends to be largely drawn from areas close to the capital but members from all parts of Britain are welcomed. Prospective members are expected to produce work of a high professional standard and to demonstrate good structural drawing abilities. Membership is not limited to a specific number and the UA's exceptionally broad frame work makes it one of Britain's most independent groups.

Major Regional Art Societies in England

The major Art Societies in the Regions typically maintain their own gallery

Royal West of England Academy

The Royal West of England Academy (RWA) in Bristol is one of only five Royal Academies of Art in the UK. It is a registered charity which has been self-supporting for over 150 years and possesses an outstanding Grade II* listed building, galleries and permanent fine art collection. The RWA has HM Queen Elizabeth II as its patron.

Welcome to the RBSA

The Royal Birmingham Society of Artists is one of the oldest Art Societies in the UK. The Royal Birmingham Society of Artists now displays the best of Midlands' Artists and Craftsmen. There are two Galleries displaying a changing programme of work by Members, Associates, Friends and Visiting Exhibitions.

The Royal Cambrian Academy of Art

The Royal Cambrian Academy of Art is an independent institution, led by distinguished artists, whose purpose is to promote the creation, enjoyment and appreciation of visual art through exhibitions and education.

Watercolour - Art Societies in the UK

Welcome to the Official Royal Watercolour Society Website

The Royal Watercolour Society represents the finest watercolour painting in Britain; it is the oldest watercolour society in the world, established in 1804, and is second only to the Royal Academy of Art in importance as an art society.

Members are elected by their peers in a tradition of excellence reaching back almost two hundred years. Their work embraces both established and experimental practices and the exhibitions reflect these different approaches. The RWS has defined 'a watercolour' to mean 'a painting in a water-based medium on a paper-based support'. This definition allows a vast range of work of an indeed infinite variety.

Royal Scottish Society of Painters in Watercolour

The Royal Scottish Society of Painters in Watercolour is a dynamic group of artists, exhibiting and actively promoting the contemporary art of painting in waterbased media.

The RSW has a pedigree dating from its foundation in 1876. As the Scottish Society of Water-Colour Painters it staged its first public Exhibition in 1879. There were 35 Members and 10 Associate Members.

Across the span of the centuries very many of Scotland's most notable artists, including Academicians, have been RSWs. Today the membership of over 120 is replete with the names of painters who have international reputation, in Scotland and in Britain.

The Society has had a Royal patron since 1886. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother was its Patron for over half a century. The Society is honoured to have Prince Charles, Duke of Rothesay as its current Royal Patron.

Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours

The RI was founded as the New Society of Painters in Water Colours in 1831, its aim to promote the art of watercolour in Britain. From the beginning the New Society followed a policy of showing non-members' work alongside that of members. The RI continues that policy today in its annual open exhibition of watercolour painting at the Mall Galleries, London.

The Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours is a registered charity, receiving no Arts Council grant or government subsidy for its important contribution to the mainstream of British art.

The Birmingham Watercolour Society

The Birmingham Watercolour Society was founded in 1907. This distinguished Society elects artist members from a wide geographical spectrum. Meetings are held monthly and the Society stages at least two exhibitions each year. Membership to the BWS is via election and talented painters in watercolour are both welcome and encouraged to apply to the Society for selection.

Royal Scottish Society of Painters in Watercolour

The Royal Scottish Society of Painters in Watercolour is a dynamic group of artists, exhibiting and actively promoting the contemporary art of painting in waterbased media.

Ulster Watercolour Society Home Page

The Ulster Watercolour Society represents most of the major watercolour artists working in the province of Ulster today. The society was formed in 1976 to promote watercolour in the province and there are now 90 members, 8 of whom are honorary members.

Oil Painting - Art Societies in the UK

The Royal Institute of Oil Painters - The ROI

The Royal Institute of Oil Painters, also known as the ROI, is an association of painters in London and is the only major art society which features work done only in oil.

Acrylic Art Societies

The National Acrylic Painters' Association (NAPA)

The National Acrylic Painters' Association (NAPA) is a non-profit making organisation organised by artists for artists. It is an international group founded in 1985 with members throughout the world. An American Division was founded in 1995.

Pastels - Art Societies in the UK

pastel societies with a website

The Pastel Society

The Pastel Society promotes use of pastel within the contemporary art world.

It is a registered charity, widely recognised for its success in promoting and encouraging the use of pastel within the contemporary art world.

The Society was founded in 1898, and the first exhibition held in the Royal Institute in Piccadilly. Founder members and early exhibitors included Brangwyn, Degas, Rodin, Rothenstein, Whistler and G.F. Watts.

There are currently over fifty Members who are professional artists living and working in this country and overseas. Membership is granted through a strict assessment of technical skill, originality, innovation and enthusiasm.

Leicestershire Pastel Society

Leicestershire Pastel Society
members are artists who live in Leicestershire and Rutland.

Coloured Pencils - Art Societies in the UK

UKCPS - UK Coloured Pencil Society

Welcome to the UK Coloured Pencil Society website
The Society was founded in 2001 with two main aims in mind - to promote coloured pencils as a fine art medium, and to support UK based artists who use, or wish to use, coloured pencils.

UKCPS News

News and information about the UK Coloured Pencil Society

Drawing - UK Art Societies

The Society of Graphic Fine Art

THE SOCIETY OF GRAPHIC FINE ART promotes high quality artwork with an emphasis on good drawing. It encourages drawing with pencil, pen, brush, line making techniques and any method of original printmaking. Oil painting, pure watercolour, painting with no emphasis on drawing, computer generated images and all forms of reproduction or copy are not admissible in its exhibitions.
Full Members are entitled to use the letters SGFA after their name, and Associate Members ASGFA.

Hesketh Hubbard Art Society

The Society was founded in 1930 by the Royal Society of British Artists as a drawing club and was sponsored by Eric Hesketh Hubbard RBA, who became its first President. Over the years, it developed into a separate art society and was renamed in his honour in 1957. It now has about 150 members and prides itself on being London's largest life drawing group.

Portraiture - Art Societies in the UK

The Royal Society of Portrait Painters

The Royal Society of Portrait Painters (est 1891), or The RP as it is known, is the foremost Society for Portrait Artists and Portrait Painters in the United Kingdom. Most of the portrait painters and artists are available for private and company portrait commissions

Portrait miniature painters, presented by the Hilliard Society

Portrait miniature painters who accept commissions, listed by country and state or province

The Society of Portrait Sculptors

The Society of Portrait Sculptors, a representative body of professional sculptors committed to making portrait sculpture accessible to a wider public.

Landscape and Marine - Art Societies in the UK

Royal Society of Marine Artists

The Society was founded in 1939 and is widely recognised for being the focal point for much of Britain's finest marine art. The RSMA currently has an active membership numbering 51. The Society's common theme is the sea, and Members work is as wide and varied as the subject. Traditions such as plein-air, topographical, historical, still life, and figure painting are all welcomed. The work is representational in the broadest sense, and the range of media includes oil painting, watercolour, acrylics and pastels, as well as drawings, prints, and the occasional sculpture.

Wapping Group of Artists

The Wapping Group was formally founded in 1946 and initially met to record the busy life of London's dockland. Since then, the range of locations has widened in response to the changes of The Thames - on any Wednesday between April and September members of the Group may now be found in any weather at a rendezvous anywhere from inland Henley and out to The Estuary. This companionable band of just 25 dedicated and capable painters maintains the original Group aims of fellowship and enthusiastic recording and interpretation of the River.

Wildlife - Art Societies in the UK

Welcome to The Wildlife Art Society International on the Web

The Wildlife Art Society International (TWASI). The Wildlife Art Society was founded in 1992 with the purpose of promoting a greater appreciation of the wildlife art genre, the animals, plants and wild places which provide the stimulus and inspiration for all such work

Marwell International Art Society - Wildlife Art & Conservation

Welcome to the official website of the Marwell International Wildlife Art Society.

Artists for Conservation - Nature Art - Wildlife Art - Conservation

International group of nature artists dedicated to wildlife and habitat conservation, nature art, wildlife art, nature conservancy and the nature and wildlife artist. Wildlife paintings, nature sculptures by nature artists, wildlife artists.

Animal Art Societies in the UK

Society of Equestrian Artists

The Society of Equestrian Artists comprises over 400 members, ranging from
enthusiastic amateurs to internationally-renowned professionals.

It exists to promote the practice of equestrian painting and sculpture and to advance public education and appreciation of this art through:
* Arranging public exhibitions of the works of members
* Holding workshops and development sessions for members
* Encouraging, through mutual criticism, discussion and example, the highest levels of artistic competence among members
* Showcasing members' works through the society's website

S.O.F.A. The Society of Feline Artists - Cat Paintings and Portraits

The Society of Feline Artists (S.O.F.A) was founded in September 1994. The specific aims are to promote the work of the best cat artists, whether established or unknown.

The Society is open to all feline artists working in any media or style and may depict any members of the cat family from the largest wild cats to the smallest domestic cat.

Botanical and Floral Art Societies in the UK

The Society of Botanical Artists.

The Society of Botanical Artists was founded in 1985 by the president Suzanne Lucas.

The Florilegium Society

The Chelsea Physic Garden Florilegium Society was formed in 1995, with the primary aim of recording in paintings and drawings, the plants growing in the Physic Garden.

The Florilegium Society at Sheffield Botanical Gardens

The Florilegium Society was established to produce an archive of botanical illustrations of the plants of Sheffield Botanical Gardens.

The Society of Floral Painters, UK

The Society of Floral Painters
* had its origin in an exhibition held at the Royal Victoria Country Park, Netley Abbey, Southampton, in 1996.
* has members throughout the United Kingdom and in Europe, Scandinavia, Australia and the United States.
* aims to promote floral painting by way of regular workshops and informal painting days.

South West Society of Botanical Artists [SWSBA] - Welcome

The South West Society of Botanical Artists welcomes anyone with an interest in botanical illustration - students, artists, teachers, collectors, enthusiasts, friends and family. Members of the Society also offer teaching to Diploma level.

Miniature Art Societies in the UK

Royal Society of Miniature Painters Sculptors and Gravers

Royal Society of Miniature Painters,Sculptors & Gravers - details about the society, exhibition, membership and artists.

The Society's aims are to esteem, protect and practise the traditional art of miniature painting with the infinite patience needed for its fine techniques. Associate membership is open, on acceptance of five works, subject to election by the Selection Committee; Membership after three years, on acceptance of six works in the last year and subject to election.

Hilliard Society of Miniaturists

Art in miniature: contemporary miniature art; pictures, shows, artists.

The declared aim of the society is to encourage greater recognition of this art form with an appreciation of its history and of its contemporary development and to bring it to the wider attention of all artists and to the public.

National Art Societies - special focus

The Armed Forces Art Society

The Armed Forces Art Society is the premier Art Society of Britain's Armed Forces.

GAvA - Guild of Aviation Artists

The Guild was formed in 1971 and is recognised throughout the world as the premier society for the promotion of aviation art. It brings together the worlds of art and aviation in a common interest group and stages exhibitions and events throughout the UK. It holds its annual exhibition at the Mall Galleries in London. The Guild has affiliation links with societies and associations in the USA, Canada, Australia, France, the Netherlands and Italy.

Medical Art Society

The Medical Art Society: A society for Doctors, Dentists and Vets who enjoy painting, drawing and sculpture when at leisure.

Local Art Societies in the UK

Art Societies specifically associated with a particular area

Painters - Art Clubs - UK art clubs

A list of UK art clubs

Greater London - Art Societies and Art Clubs

all London Boroughs and the City of London

Chelsea Art Society

Founded in 1910, The Chelsea Art Society is the oldest and sole survivor of the many art groups that blossomed in the area around that period. There are currently around 100 members and artists are invited to join the Society through having shown exceptional work at the exhibition over a three year period. The majority of exhibitors tend to be residents of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea but are free to apply from all over the UK.

The London Group

A collective of artists with a long and proud history of over 90 years. The London Group instigates peer-group reviews and group public exhibitions.

Hesketh Hubbard Art Society (Life Drawing)

The Society was founded in 1930 by the Royal Society of British Artists as a drawing club and was sponsored by Eric Hesketh Hubbard RBA, who became its first President. Over the years, it developed into a separate art society and was renamed in his honour in 1957. It now has about 150 members and prides itself on being London's largest life drawing group.

Blackheath Art Society.

Founded in 1947, Blackheath Art Society is for professional and semi-professional artists living and working in the area

Bromley Art Society

Bromley Art Society was formed in 1947 to bring together local painters and sculptors, art teachers and students, and all who share an appreciation of the fine arts.Most of its members are amateur artists working in a wide variety of media; oils, watercolours, acrylics, pastels, gouaches, pen and ink, prints and batik.

The Croydon Art Society

The Croydon Art Society is believed to be the oldest Art Society in England, outside of London. Membership of the Society is open to all artists whose work, paintings or sculptures, can be shown to be of a consistently high standard or where the adjudicating committee are satisfied that potential exists. Applications for membership are dealt with at present twice per annum, in the Spring and in the Autumn.

(Croydon is part of Greater London)

Richmond Art Society

The society, through its lecture programmes and exhibitions, brings together those living in the neighbourhood of in Richmond upon Thames who are interested in the visual arts. It also provides opportunities for local artists and others who are interested in art to meet socially.

South London Women Artists

South London Women Artists is a community of women artists based in South London, who present an inspirational portfolio online and through exhibitions.

South London Women Artists was launched by the Friends of Dulwich Picture Gallery in June 2008. It offers a website on which women artists living or working south of the river can post a profile about their work. SLWA also:
* nurtures the professional development and careers of its members by helping them access wider opportunities.
* promotes artist-led projects and communal activities such as talks, workshops and visits, and exhibitions of members' works within a strong curatorial framework
*is self-managed and self-financed, so it maintains critical independence.

South East England - Art Societies and Art Clubs

Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, East Sussex, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Kent, Oxfordshire, Surrey, West Sussex

Ashford (Kent) Art Society

the Ashford (Kent) Arts Society. (A.K.A.S) is a charitable organisation that was founded in 1958.
Our Society now boasts an impressive membership of over 100 artists who express themselves through a variety of media including oils,pastels,acrylics and other forms of art such as sculpture and photography.

Bournemouth Arts Club

Bournemouth Arts Club

Buckinghamshire Art Society (BAS), organisation, exhibitions, gallery

Visual arts association that organises high quality exhibitions and other art-related events in and around Buckinghamshire. Gallery of paintings, sculptures, prints and other artwork. The Society currently has around 100 members a large proportion of which are professional and semi-professional artists. Representing a wide variety of styles and media, all members have been elected to the society on the basis of their skills as artists.

Farnham Art Society

The society's aim is to educate the public in the understanding of the visual arts, within the area of Farnham in Surrey and its surrounding area. Currently total membership runs at over 450; including approximately 300 Exhibiting painters, sculptors and ceramicists, Associate Members and Honorary Members.

Folkestone Art Society-Home

Welcome to the Folkestone Art Society website. We celebrated our 80th anniversary in 2008. For eighty years members, past and present, have been pivotal in promoting the visual arts in Folkestone and the south east. In those eighty years we have grown both in number of members as well as in the numbe

Welcome to Guildford Art Society

We welcome people of all ages, practising artists of all abilities and those who just have an interest in the arts. We have over 300 members many of whom are professional or talented amateur artists.

New Forest Art Society Home Page

A Society serving the needs of New Forest artists - currently haas 140 members most of whom live in the New Forest

Oxford Art Society - Painters, Printmakers and Sculptors working in Oxfordshire

The Oxford Art Society was founded in 1891. The majority of the Society's members have professional art training and many combine their lives as working artists with teaching or other art related professions. A good number of members exhibit nationally or internationally, as well as locally during Oxfordshire Artweeks. To become a member of the Society you will need to submit work and have it accepted at two of the annual Open Exhibitions. It is then at the discretion of the Committee to invite new artists to become members.

Portsmouth and Hampshire Art Society

Formed in 1909, the Portsmouth and Hampshire Art Society serves the needs of local artists through a varied programme of exhibitions, workshops, demonstrations and social events. Both professional and amateur artists are welcomed and a range of styles and media encouraged. There are now over 200 members.

Ringwood Art Society

Ringwood Arts Society (RAS) is a friendly club for those interested in painting and drawing offering artist demonstrations, art workshops, life drawing, location days etc.

The Association of Sussex Artists

The Association of Sussex Artists was founded in 1928 in order to encourage the arts by providing exhibiting facilities for the professional and gifted amateur painters and craftsmen of the County. Exhibitions are held annually, usually in Horsham in mid-August, and have been a popular feature of the county calendar for over eighty years.

Twyford Art Group (Berkshire)

The Twyford Art Group life drawing sessions are intended for artists to practice their skills in a relaxed environment. It meets on Wednesday evenings

West Sussex Art Society Index page

The West Sussex Art Society was founded in 1929 for the purpose of promoting the Arts among a select group of working artists, and providing a forum to discuss both traditional and modern art along with exhibition opportunities. On the second Saturday of each month the society holds professional criticisms, demonstrations and lectures on the arts as well as occasional workshops. The membership consists of a broad mix of amateur, semi-professional and professional artists, producing a wide variety of work, ranging from traditional through to the more abstract and conceptual.

Wokingham Art Society - Welcome page

The Wokingham Art Society is a lively, diverse and active group of artists from the area around Wokingham, Berkshire in the UK, who meet regularly to share with others their enthusiasm for art

South West England - Art Societies and Art Clubs

Berkshire, Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Somerset, Wiltshire

Royal West of England Academy

The Royal West of England Academy (RWA) in Bristol is one of only five Royal Academies of Art in the UK. It is a registered charity which has been self-supporting for over 150 years and possesses an outstanding Grade II* listed building, galleries and permanent fine art collection. The RWA has HM Queen Elizabeth II as its patron.

Every year it has an Open Autumn Exhibition

The Axminster Art Society

Founded in 1948.
Informative website - except about current purpose and how to join

The Society for All Artists - Bath and District Group

The Society for All Artists - Bath and District Group
Address:Central United Reformed Church Halls, Grove Street, Bath
No website or further details other than contact details

Bathampton Art Group

Located at Bathampton in Avon
Basic website

Bournemouth Arts Club

From its inception in 1920, the Bournemouth Arts Club has provided a focus of excellence for the visual arts by bringing together those who practise with those maintaining a lively interest in current developments. The traditions of BAC coupled with its evolution and renewal, led in 2002 to the adoption of the title 'Southern Contemporaries' as exhibiting name for the organisation, with the intention of reaching as wide an audience as possible in serious artistic venues both within the region and beyond.

Bridport Art Society

Bridport Art Society was founded in 1956. The Society is a friendly group which welcomes artists of all levels of experience, from beginners to seasoned painters. The Society's aim is to encourage interest in and practice of the visual arts, especially painting, but photography is excluded. An extensive programme includes evening demonstrations, day workshops, a major public Annual Exhibition in Bridport Arts Centre, other public exhibitions in Abbotsbury and West Bay, and occasional visits to regional and national exhibitions. A wide variety of media and techniques are covered including acrylics, oils, pastels, water colours, collage and mixed media.

Broadstone Art Society

We are a friendly mix of professionals, semi-professionals and amateurs meeting twice a week throughout the year at the Broadstone Community & Arts Centre and out on location in Dorset during the summer months.

Bude Art Society - Art for everyone in North Cornwall, UK

Bude Art Society welcomes anyone who enjoys art. We particularly welcome visitors who are not members, who want to join our sessions during their holiday.

Lyme Regis Art Group

Lyme Regis Art Group - painting, drawing and sculpture in Lyme Regis
The Lyme Regis Art Group draws artists from three counties - Dorset, Devon and Somerset, and actively encourages all new members from beginners to experienced artists.
* Regular meetings in The Woodmead Halls in Lyme Regis from 2pm to 4pm on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month between October and March for demonstrations from a variety of artists.
* Practical workshops every 2nd Monday in the month (October to March)
* Outdoor sketching and painting on the last Tuesday afternoon in each month and additional practical painting days in April, May and June.
* Variety of exhibitions through the year.

Poole and East Dorset Art Society

PEDAS is a long established and very active local art society. We were founded in 1924. PEDAS is an inclusive society & welcomes artists in all media & genres - painters figurative & abstract, sculptors, felters, embroiderers, photographers & installation artists.

Welcome to SAW | Somerset Art Works

Somerset Art Works - Art Weeks, Open Studios and Exhibitions and Events

Somerset Art Works (SAW) exists to promote the visual arts and create opportunities for visual artists in Somerset by advocacy, promotion and development. It is an artist-led organisation and Somerset's only countywide agency dedicated to developing the visual arts

East of England - Art Societies and Art Clubs

Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Norfolk and Suffolk

Bury St Edmunds Art Society

Bury St Edmunds Art Society is one of the largest and longest-established art societies in Suffolk and was established over 60 years ago. The Society welcomes all who are interested in art, whether beginner, experienced, amateur or professional. It offers a regular programme of demonstrations and lectures, workshops, visits and exhibitions and an opportunity to meet fellow artists on a friendly and informal basis.

Colchester Art Society

Colchester art society for the promotion of the arts

Essex Art Club Home Page

We are a long-established (well over one hundred years) society of artists and art-lovers, currently about 170 strong. Our members range from total beginners to full-time professionals and include tutors and teachers of art, but most of our members are enthusiastic amateurs. We aim to hold at least two exhibitions a year, one in Essex and one in London

Hertford Art Society

Since 1953 our aim has been to encourage an interest in art and provide opportunities to practice, study and exhibit art in Hertfordshire. We bring people together, whether practitioners or academics, professional or amateur, to share their love of art and develop and learn. Enjoy working with us both indoors and in the open in any medium. We encourage new Members to grow as artists and get comfortable with exhibiting. Hertford Art Society meets on Tuesday evenings at Cowbridge Hall in Hertford

Ipswich Art Society

Founded in 1874, the Ipswich Art Society is one of the longest established art societies in the UK, and has amongst its members many talented professional and amateur artists. The Society plays an active role in the visual arts in East Anglia organising exhibitions, lectures, and social events for its members, friends, and for the public.

Leighton Buzzard Art Society

LBAS is a thriving society with an annual membership of about 150. Any person over the age of 16, interested in Art, whether a practicing artist or not, is eligible to become a member of Leighton Buzzard Art Society subject to payment of a modest annual subscription.

Norfolk Contemporary Art Society - Contemporary Visual Art in Norfolk - Homepage

Norfolk Contemporary Art Society - A collection of Contemporary Visual Art in Norfolk, including a regular programme of local events and a large viewable art work collection.

St Albans Art Society

St Albans Art Society - founded in 1888 (originally called the Hertfordshire Arts Society) Became the St Albans Art Society in 1957. The Society arranges demonstrations of media and techniques by acknowledged experts and there are studio sessions for practice in working with life, costume and portrait models. Outdoor sketching sessions in local garden settings and places of historic or architectural interest take place during the summer months, also occasional whole day demonstrations and coaching are offered. There are outings to important galleries in London and elsewhere. Exhibitions of members' works are mounted at least once each year.

East Midlands - Art Societies and Art Clubs

Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Rutland, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire

Leicester Society of Artists

Our aim is to encourage the practice of original painting, drawing, sculpture and print-making and to promote awareness of visual art. All our elected members live or work in Leicestershire and Rutland or have strong connections to these areas.

Leicestershire Pastel Society

The only pastel society outside London! For pastel artists living in Leicestershire and Rutland.

Arnold Art Society

The Society is based in Arnold, 4 miles north of Nottingham, U.K. It was founded in 1967 and is a non-profit making organisation that has around 100 members. Two exhibitions are held each year where over a hundred original paintings are displayed by our members. Meetings are held every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday during the Autumn and Winter period and there is a full programme of demonstrations and workshops by professional artists. In the Summer months, sketching days and excursions are organised; we also meet twice a week on a Tuesday and Thursday.

Towcester art society

At the start of 2009, The Society had approximately 22 members. We meet weekly and work on current projects with much discussion and advice circulated.

West Midlands - Art Societies and Art Clubs

Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, West Midlands, Worcestershire,

Art in the Midlands - Association of Midlands Artists

The Association of Midland Artists is concerned with the production and appreciation of contemporary art. Painters, Sculptors, Printmakers and Potters are encouraged to become members, to exhibit their work and to enter local and national 'open' competitions.

Welcome to the RBSA

The Royal Birmingham Society of Artists is one of the oldest Art Societies in the UK.

Having purchased Dakota House in St. Paul's Square, The Royal Birmingham Society of Artists now displays the best of Midlands' Artists and Craftsmen. There are two Galleries displaying a changing programme of work by Members, Associates, Friends and Visiting Exhibitions.

Feckenham Art Society: Welcome

Feckenham Art Society - The site shows a representative selection of the styles and work of members of the group. We meet weekly in Feckenham throughout the year and new members are always welcome.

Ludlow Art Society

The Ludlow Art Society, founded in 1946, has grown into a vigorous and active Society with over 100 members. The Society holds two exhibitions of members work each year during the last two weeks of August and in Easter Week. The Society meets at Ludlow Assembly Rooms in 'The Studio' on the first Thursday of each month (August excepted). Workshops, Outings, and 'Painting Days' are offered occasionally as part of the programme of events for members

North West - Art Societies and Art Clubs

Cheshire, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Merseyside

Lake Artists Society

a prestigious fine art society in the English Lake District, specialising in paintings of Lake District landscapes and other local subjects

Blackpool Art Society

Blackpool Art Society - originally formed in 1884. The Society's activities include practical sessions, workshops, lectures and exhibitions. Many of these activities involve the services of professional artists.

Lancaster & District Art Society :: Home Page

The Lancaster & District Art Society was established in 1946. The Society aims to promote the practice of drawing and painting in all mediums and welcomes members with specialist skills, for example sculpture, wood carving, printing, encaustic work and silk painting

Lytham St. Annes Art Society

NEW WEBSITE. Lytham St Annes Art Society has exhibitions of artwork for sale. 440 members use a purpose build studio for workshops, lectures and social events. LSA Art Society is 100 years old in 1912,

North East - Art Societies and Art Clubs

Durham, East Riding of Yorkshire, Leeds, North Yorkshire, Northumberland, South Yorkshire, Tyne & Wear, West Yorkshire

Newcastle Artists Society Featured Articles

Newcastle Artists Society, the resource for artists and lovers of art in the North East of England.

York Art Society

Society members meet monthly, either for lectures, demonstrations or teaching workshops in a warm and friendly atmosphere, occasionally arranging painting holidays and visits to places of artistic interest. News, views and updates are in a quarterly newsletter issued to keep members informed of current events. The Society holds exhibitions of members` paintings, twice a year; usually in the historic Guildhall and The Merchant Adventurers Hall in the centre of York.

East Riding Artists East Yorkshire

ERA aims to support and encourage artists living and working within the East Riding of Yorkshire. ERA is a non-profit organisation, two tier membership to promote professionalism and encourage artists to strive for excellence.

Art Societies in Wales

art wales | Welcome to CASW contemporary art, welsh art, casw, art society

"The objects of the Society shall be to foster and promote the maintenance, improvement and development of artistic taste and the knowledge, understanding and appreciation of the arts among the people of Wales." (From the Constitution of the Society)

South Wales Art Society

The Society has a membership of over 200 professional and amateur artists and others who simply enjoy art. The artists among us work in a wide range of media, including watercolour, oil, pastel, acrylic and sculpture. Interests range from traditional imagery to abstract and computer artwork.

Aberdyfi Art Society Home

Aberdyfi Art Society is a small but flourishing society of about eighty members of all ages, nearly all of whom come
from within an area of some twenty miles around Aberdyfi and are either residents or visitors owning property in the area.

Ceredigion Art Society - information and programme of events

Ceredigion Art Society, Aberystwyth, Mid Wales - information and history of the society and programme of events.

Cowbridge Art Society

We are a thriving local society in the historic market town of Cowbridge in the Vale of Glamorgan, south Wales. In 2010 / 11 the society celebrated its Golden Jubllee. The society's aim is top the aim to: 'promote and foster the appreciation of, and participation in the visual arts'.

Home Page - Denbighshire Art Society Colwyn Bay Conwy North Wales

Welcome to the Denbighshire Art Society, Colwyn Bay

Fishguard Arts Society | Cymdeithas Celfyddydau Abergwaun

Fishguard Arts Society - very active - scroll down the page to see all about their exhibitions and events

Llanelli Art Society

Llanelli Art Society was formed in 1927 by a small group of Artist`s . The objects of the Society shall be to stimulate in the Llanelli and district the practice and appreciation of Art..

North Wales Society of Fine Arts

The North Wales Society of Fine Art, formerly known as the North Wales Society of Botanical and Fine Watercolour Artists, was formed by professional artists in 1990 to provide them with much needed exhibition space, and to promote new talent, especially in the figurative arts.

Porthcawl And District Art Society - Home

Porthcawl Art Society is one of the oldest established Art Societies in South Wales and features a permanent exhibition in the historic Old Porthcawl Police Station, situated in the centre of the main shopping street (above the museum). They also have four seasonal exhibitions.

SAA - Snowdonia Art Group | Art Societies

We are called Snowdonia Art Club, and we are based in Dolwyddelan in the Snowdonia National Park in North Wales. We meet once a month on the first Saturday of the month in the Brush-Strokes studio in Dolwyddelan, where we paint together for a day.

South Wales Decorative and Fine Arts Society

The South Wales branch of the National Association of Decorative & Fine Arts Society (NADFAS) runs a series of lectures, events and tours throughout the year.

WWDFAS Home Page

Lectures on all aspects of design and fine art are given by world class lecturers in their fields, an opportunity rarely offered in West Wales, and not to be missed!

Watercolour Society Wales

The Watercolour Society of Wales was formed by artists, living in and around Cardiff, to exhibit and promote this medium by holding regular exhibitions of their work throughout Wales. The first exhibition was held in 1959 at the National Museum of Wales in Cardiff. Today the Society has around 40 members all professional artists living and working in Wales and entry to the Society is by election

Art Societies in Scotland

Royal Scottish Society of Painters in Watercolour

The Royal Scottish Society of Painters in Watercolour is a dynamic group of artists, exhibiting and actively promoting the contemporary art of painting in waterbased media.

The Society of Scottish Artists

Founded in 1891, the SSA today continues in the spirit of its founders, to show the controversial and the unexpected and to give hanging space to new artists of promise.

Visual Arts Scotland | VAS

Visual Arts Scotland is one of the few organisations that actively promotes and exhibits the work of contemporary visual and applied artists. It is the only multi-disciplinary platform where painters, sculptors, jewellers, textile, stone and woodwork artists exhibit together.

Broughty Ferry Art Society

The Society provides a friendly support network of like minded people with various levels of expertise and aims to stimulate interest in the visual arts of Broughty Ferry and surrounding areas. It also aims to encourage the practice of art among its members.

Dundee Art Society

Founded in 1890, Dundee Art Society's objective is to promote the interaction between the professional and amateur artist. this website includes information on workshops, social affairs, exhibitions, gallery hire, art society contacts, syllabus and members work

Art Society of Inverness

The Art Society of Inverness was founded in 1944, its stated aim being "to encourage artists, amateur and professional, in Inverness and the North, and to bring about the increased interest and understanding of art and sculpture."

Upper Deeside Art Society, Ballater, Royal Deeside, Scotland

The Upper Deeside Art Society started in 1992 by a handful of enthusiastic art amateurs has now swelled to having over 120 enthusiastic Members , the majority of whom are still Amateurs. The Society holds two Exhibitions each year. They Exhibit their work for 4 months in the Stables at Balmoral Castle from the beginning of April every year until the end of July when the Castle then closes to the Public.

Ayr Sketch Club

Ayr Sketch Club, Local Ayrshire Artists providing information about their club, including examples of their paintings.

Findhorn Village Art Group | Art Societies

A friendly group meeting for the last 20 years in Findhorn

Moray Arts Club

The Moray Arts Club was founded in 1951 and for sixty years has continued to provide the best in professional and amateur art, music, and drama. The MAC now has a headquarters located in the Bishopmill Hall.

Art Societies in Northern Ireland

Royal Ulster Academy

The Royal Ulster Academy is an artist led organisation established to educate the public on traditional and contemporary approaches to visual art through its exhibition and education programme. It was originally founded as The Belfast Rambler's Sketching Club in 1879, became the Ulster Academy of Arts in 1930, and finally the Royal Ulster Academy in 1956.

Coleraine Art Society

The society was set up 56 years ago with the aim of supporting and encouraging
Coleraine's amateur artistic community. These aims remain the ground-stay of the
society's functions to this day.

The society is made up of amateur and semi-professional artists of all ages and
skill levels. From those just starting to experiment with visual creativity to those
who have been practising (and learning) for many years.

USWA - Ulster Society of Women Artists

Ulster Society of Women Artists plays a very active role in the visual arts in Ulster.

Making A Mark on Art Societies

MAKING A MARK: Key Dates for UK National Art Society Exhibitions in 2012

This post summarises key dates for the Annual Open Exhibitions by the Art Societies in the UK in 2012 - namely:
* Submission deadlines for entries
* the Exhibition dates

MAKING A MARK: NEW two-stage digital pre-selection process for FBA Exhibitions

A new submission and selection process for FBA Art Societies with Annual Exhibitions at the Mall Galleries is being introduced from 1st November. This should cut costs for some artists in the future.

MAKING A MARK: Which art society exhibition sells the most works of art?

do you know which art societies are good at selling artists' work? See if you can guess before you read on

MAKING A MARK: How much do you spend on art societies? (Poll results)

Only 44% of those responding to the July Making A Mark Poll spend an affordable sum on art societies. This post looks at the overall poll results, considers what these might mean and asks three questions about how art societies can become more cost-effective.

MAKING A MARK: POLL: How much do you spend on Art Societies?

How much do you spend on Art Societies in terms of annual membership fees and entrance fees for exhibitions?

MAKING A MARK: How many Art Societies are you a member of? (Poll results)

The chart below shows how people responded in terms of the number of art societies they belonged to. This is followed by more charts showing membership at the national, regional and local levels.

MAKING A MARK: POLL: How many Art Societies are you a member of?

One of my readers suggested that one of my monthly Making A Mark Polls should be about how many art organisations people belong to - and how much money they spend on subscriptions.

MAKING A MARK: Annual Exhibitions of Scottish Art Societies

The three major Scottish Art Societies are:
Royal Society of Painters in Watercolour
Society of Scottish Artists
Visual Arts Scotland

MAKING A MARK: UK National Art Societies: 2011 Open Exhibitions - dates and deadlines

This is my annual post about all the Major Open Exhibitions by National Art Societies in the UK.