Type: Exhibition
The Society was founded in October 1904 with 26 members. It has grown over the years to a membership of around 120 diverse, talented artists. The Mayor of Bath is an honorary member of the Society. The annual exhibition, which is open to non-members, is held in the Victoria Art Gallery. It attracts about 1,000 entries and over 14,000 visitors, with sales doubling in the last few years.
Many distinguished 20th-century painters have exhibited with the Society including Walter Sickert, John Singer Sargent,
Philip Wilson Steer, Gilbert Spencer, Patrick Heron, Mary Fedden, William Scott and Howard Hodgkin.
David Inshaw, a leading contemporary artist and former member of the Brotherhood of Ruralists, is the Society’s
current President. Guy Thomas is the present Chairman. He was a student at the Bath Academy of Art, founded by Clifford Ellis. Clifford and Rosemary Ellis exhibited with the Society in the 1960s. Many of the current members also studied at the Bath Academy and at what is now known as the University of the West of England.
Prizes include the Victoria Prize of £2,000 for the best work in the exhibition and a Young Artist’s Prize of £250. A Public Choice Prize of £500 is awarded at the end of the exhibition to the artist achieving the highest number of votes. All works in the exhibition are for sale. There will also be a programme of free Saturday talks.
Free Saturday artist-led tours, all 2.30-3.15
7 April 2012
A Sculptor’s Approach with Richard Field
21 April 2012
A Painter’s Approach with Susanna Lisle
5 May 2012
A Printmaker’s Approach with Bob Ballard
If you require accommodation during this exhibition, use the 'Book Accommodation Nearby' box to the right, or use the Accommodation tab at the top of the page. This will provide you with an online booking service for accommodation in Bath and the surrounding area. Alternatively, contact our personal accommodation booking service: + 44 (0) 844 847 5256.
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