Hampstead Artists' Council

Founded in 1944 by Richard Carline and assisted by émigré artist Klaus Meyer it has over the years been credited with some of Britain’s best-known artists as its supporters. Hampstead School of Art was founded under the aegis of the Hampstead Artists' Council which in turn was the inspiration of the aforementioned protagonists who, with other leading artists of the post-war period, including Henry Moore decided to establish a centre of artistic excellence in Hampstead with its rich tradition going back to John Constable and George Romney. Cecil Stephenson was its first Chairman, and other early supporters included Ithell Colquhoun, the Carline family, Stanley Spencer, Jacob Bornfriend and Graham Sutherland. Many of its exhibitions have been held at Burgh House, Hampstead and since 1984, some of its members display their works in the corridors of the local London Free Hospital. Recent members include illustrator Lida Brychta, Gillian Lawson, Carlos Diaz and Peter Garland.

Founded in 1946 the current Hampstead School of Art was set up as an Art Education Charity with the patronage of Henry Moore, directed by Jeannette Jackson, Bernard Gay and the collaboration of many others in 1965. Gay and Jackson persuaded Camden Council to join forces in setting up an arts centre in the then-defunct library building on Arkwright Road. The Arkwright Trust was set up to manage the building. With the Inner London Education Authority, ILEA, they then established the Camden Arts Trust to run an art school in the building. During the period 1965-1990, Hampstead Artists' Council staged numerous exhibitions many of which were world-class and of significant importance in the art world. In 1990, the lease of the Camden Arts Centre expired and the council decided not to continue its partnership with HAC and the Camden Arts Trust school. Jeannette Jackson and Bernard Gay decided they would find new premises for the school which they did within Kings College Campus in Kidderpepre Avenue, NW3. The school did well, but with the financial strains of moving, losing their funding, and having to pay a commercial rent plus VAT, they sadly went into debt and The Camden School of Art was dissolved in 1994. Jeannette Jackson persuaded Clare Gordon to take on the challenge of approaching Kings College with a new proposal for the school. Kings College accepted the new plans and a non-profit-making company was set up. The Hampstead School of Art was founded in 1995 and in 1998 the school gained charitable status. Clare Gordon is currently writing a piece for the Camden Arts Centre and is in discussion with the School, who hope to produce a book in the near future.

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