Watercolour Society of Wales

Watercolour painting in Wales goes back well into the 18th century, perhaps its greatest and earliest exponent being Richard Wilson (1714-1782) a founder member of the Royal Academy. Yet unusually, the Society was not formed until 1959 its main aim being to encourage the practise of painting in watercolours in the Principality. Closely associated with the RCamA its founder members included Bert Isaac. Other members past and present include Tom Rathmell, Gyrth Russell, Ivor John Davies and Angela Kingston. Bi-annual exhibition venues have included the National Museum of Wales, RCamA, Conwy and Newport Museum and Art Gallery. Membership of around 40 practitioners is not confined to native Welsh artists but, they must have lived and worked in Wales for a considerable period. In 2007 the Society was honoured when HRH the Prince of Wales became its Patron having exhibited with the Society over a considerable period.