History of the Art Society
Images and information are being added to this page, as we celebrate the 90th Anniversary of the BSAS in 2025. We have a wonderful paper archive of years gone by which are being slowly turned into an online record for people to enjoy.
To celebrate our 65th, 75th, and 80th Anniversaries, documents were produced which aimed to give the highlights of the society up until those points. These are attached here, and give a fascinating insight into the Society’s history (select “download” to access a copy of the document(s)).
Some of the memories outlined in the above documents, plus several others are then detailed below in our timeline. We hope you enjoy reading about our history.
1931: The Folio Club
Preceding the Art Society, the Folio Club of Bishops Stortford was formed in 1931 by A.G Tidmarsh of Bishops Stortford College (Robert Pearce House) who later became the chairman of the Art Society. The Folio club became a local focus for those interested in sketching. The folio was passed around members who wrote critiques on the back of or alongside the drawings. An example is shown below.
1934: Art Exhibition
An exhibition at the Corn Exchange in November 1934 raised funds for the Bishops Stortford hospital.
Art treasures were loaned by local dignitaries, rare watercolours, miniatures, embroidery and some Nelson relics owned by Mrs Tresham Gilbey.
Local artists in the Folio Club also exhibited their work and the exhibition was a great success.
1935: Formation of Bishop’s Stortford Art Society
Octavious Wright, art enthusiast, and Mr Tidmarsh from the College, invited members of the public to form an Art Society after the success of the 1934 exhibition.
A copy of the original invitation can be seen here. The first exhibition of the new Society was held at St Michaels Parish Hall in November 1935, and was opened by Lady Warwick whose ancestral home was Easton Lodge in Little Easton, Essex.
Original copies of early exhibition and meeting documents are shown below.
1939-1945
The Society was disbanded due to the 2nd World War. During the war, a founder member, John Blake, was billeted in Bakewell, Derbyshire. During his time there, he created a large mural in Bakewell Town Hall on behalf of troops as a token of gratitude to the Townsfolk of Bakewell. There is a very interesting history being uncovered about this mural, which is currently being researched by the Bakewell and District Historical Society.
1945 – 1984
After the society was reformed in the post war years, an annual programme of events got underway including annual exhibitions as well as demonstrations and Plein Air painting opportunities.
Reflecting on her time with the Society, in 2000, Margaret Blascos recalled that in 1966 (when she was Publicity Officer) she rang a bell through the town while Audrey Wilkins (wife of A. Wilkins of Loveday and Wilkins estate agents) carried a sandwich board advertising the annual exhibition. Was the below image that same occasion!
A founder member of the Art Society, Richard Clarke (who was also president for a time in the 1950s) created numerous sketches of Bishop’s Stortford and the surrounding areas. His publication, see images below, featured drawings of the town from the early days of the Folio Club including the pencil drawing of the old Art Shop rom 1932. He produced works that captured many local scenes, such as one of North Street in the 1950s, and his book gives a fascinating look at the town’s development from the 1930s-1980s, lovingly produced by this longstanding member.
1985 – 1994
The Art Society had an exciting year in 1985, with Golden Jubilee celebrations held in January 1985 at the Society’s regular meeting place at that time, Waterside School in Windhill (the school closed in 1987). The event was attended by 110 members and guests including two of the founder members of the Art Society; Richard Clarke and John Blake.
We’re grateful to Peter and Margaret Blascos for creating the above record of the Golden Jubilee occasion. Scroll across to see images from the event.
1995 – 2000
Significant events during this time:
1996: the Art Society celebrated its 60th anniversary on February 29th in St Johns Art and Recreation Centre, Old Harlow. The Society also met to paint in the grounds of Warwick House, by invitation of Brian Creasey who lived in the remaining wing of the original house, which burnt down. This was 60 years after the original members of the society had met to paint at Warwick House (in the grounds of Easton Lodge) by invitation of the Countess of Warwick.
On June 11th 1998 Peter Walbourn retired from many years with the Art Society including 28 years as President. Many people have been fortunate to have had their portrait painted on a working evening at the Art Society meetings by this wonderful portrait artist. He was trained at the Royal Academy Schools, and was famous in particular for his portrait of the Queen Mother, commissioned in 1992, of Field Marshal Jan Christiaan Smuts, former prime minister of South Africa, and Lord Denning, Master of the Rolls.
Also in 1998, Margaret Blascos became the Art Society’s first female Chairman. During her years as Chairman, she doubled membership – an impressive feat testamount to her enthusiasm and welcoming approach.
That same year, Richard Clarke, founder member, passed away. Margaret Blascos attended his memorial service and gave thanks for helping to form a society which gives help, assurance and opens up new windows and ways of seeing when it comes to the world of art.
John Pittuck became President in 1999, and continued in this role until 2005.
The Art Society marked the occasion of it’s 65th anniversary in 2000. As President, John Pittuck noted that the society had moved its meeting place several times in his time as a member, from Waterside School, to St Michaels School, and then to Birchwood High School. Social occasions in the 1990s were held at the Fry Gallery at Saffron Walden, the Henry Moore Foundation at Perry Green, the Art and Recreation Centre and Old Harlow, and the Walter Strachan Gallery at the Bishops Stortford College.
For the Millenium, artists were invited to create a triptych of Bishop’s Stortford. This was presented to the Town Mayor Duncan Peek.
2001-2015
Significant events during these years:
2005: the Art Society celebrated 70 years, and an exhibition was held at the newly refurbished Rhodes Art Complex (now Southmill Arts).
2008: the Art Society organised an art exhibition for all primary schools in the library. Fourteen schools exhibited with one of ur display screens allocated t each school. All of the artworks were collected from, and returned to the schools by Art Society members and every child who exhibited had a certificate.
2012: David Cooper (Chairman) was asked by the local Tourist Office if the Art Society would like to compose a calendar for Bishop’s Stortford. The artworks of local scenes were then selected, and became the official calendar for the 2012 year. The front cover was a painting by Maisie Brigden of St Michaels viewed from across the river (take a look at the 80th anniversary download document at top of this history webpage, to see the calendar images selected).
2014: Four paintings by members Heather Brown, Bill Morris, David Cooper ad Ray Whyard were commissioned and then unveiled at the new Port Jackson Wetherspoon’s pub in the town.
In 2015, the Art Society celebrated 80 years. Paintings were displayed in Jackson Square as part of events to mark the occasion as was documented in this article from the local paper at that time.
2016 to 2025
The Society continues to be supported in the town, and the committee are grateful for the support of members and local contacts such as the Thorn Grove School, and Jackson Square, who allow us to run our regular events and exhibitions at their premises.
Members continue to enjoy Plein Air summer visits to local venues and a varied programme with visiting artists and working evenings throughout the year. This is all down to the hard work of the committee.
The Society is also grateful to the Bishops Stortford Independent, who regularly feature articles about the Society and its artists. Since 2024, member artists (from amateur to established professionals) featured either individually or as part of a spotlight on the society, have included Eileen and Chris Valder, Izabella Taylor, Gabrielle Vickery, Hazel Adlam, Jan Marcelo, Chrystal Barry, Carol Knights, Ruth Wilson, Peter White, Debbie Miles, Hilary Brice, Caroline Clark, Amar Devsi, Margery Maskell, Abbi Blakey, Barbara Anderson, Susan Couzens, Carole Crosby, Jo Sinclair, Jon Warren, and Tracey Pinnington.
Please take a look at the rest of our website and also check our social media (Facebook and Instagram) for the latest news and images from our members.
We look forward to celebrating our 90th year with an event planned for July 2025. All current members and their guests have been invited to join us, and we are very grateful to Eileen Valder (who is our joint chair alongside Jo Sinclair, as well as our secretary) who has been the key driver behind organising this event. We look forward to seeing you there!
A gallery featuring various articles and images from across the years
