Croydon Art Society

Founded in 1878 as The Watteau Society obviously in honour of the famous eponymous French painter Antoine Watteau. By 1881 it had been renamed the Croydon Art Society a name it bears today. Its first recorded President was Irving Montague in 1890. Exhibitions were held locally in the town and craft, photography and needlework work allowed as exhibits and by the turn of the century registered membership was over 100. In the early years of the 20th century invited artists included John Singer Sargent, and Sir Alfred East, the latter becoming a member. Other members and officers included Walter Wallis, William Watkins, Terrick Williams and John Gray. In 1911 Cicely Mary Barker joins the Society at the age of 16 thus becoming the youngest recorded member. World War II saw a drastic fall in membership which by 1946 stood at only 37 having virtually halved in number. The first exhibition after the war was held in Allders Department Store in Croydon attracting over 3000 visitors with Hesketh Hubbard being elected President and by the end of the decade membership had risen to nearly 150. In the late 1980's the Society showed at London's Guildhall Art Gallery and since the millennium exhibitions have taken place at the prestigious Fairfield Halls.