Glasgow Art Club

The Club was formed in 1867 by eleven young men who met in a tearoom above a baker’s shop in the Candleriggs district of Glasgow. The Club’s aim was to promote and stimulate interest in all branches of art by promoting classes, lectures and exhibitions. They have occupied several locations in the city but have been in the same Bath Street premises since 1893. The founder members included James Guthrie, E. A. Walton, along with several other Glasgow Boys, although the pioneers of this group had initially been refused membership. Fra Newbery, the colourful head of Glasgow School of Art, was a member, as were many of his successors. Other notable members have included the photographer and art dealer James Craig Annan, pioneer Scottish Nationalist and horseman of the South American pampas, Neil Munro and John MacCormick, leader of the Covenant movement for Scottish home rule. Among more recent artist members were David Donaldson, Alexander Goudie and Emilio Coia. Influential members argued successfully for change and male lay members began to be admitted, although women had to wait until 1983.

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