In the Spring of 1941, A. E. Hickman-Smith, an amateur but professionally competent painter, feeling thoroughly fed up with the German bombing of London, decided to do something to counter its effects and assembled a number of artist friends, who formed the Islington Art Circle. As soon as its first exhibition was hung in the large hall of the Central Library, a landmine exploded nearby, destroying the glass roof of the hall. Miraculously, no paintings were damaged! This was an auspicious start for the new group.
After A. E. Hickman-Smith’s death in 1965 the IAC was led by George and Deborah Bunting who staged a successful Autumn Exhibition. At the close of the exhibition they formed a committee with artists: Geoff Wickham, Leonard Renton, James Hardy, Sylvia Leibson, Joan Sexton and their partners. From the beginning, this committee was determined to preserve the quality of work. As proof of IAC’s standard, the first president was Sir Basil Spence, of Coventry Cathedral fame. Following his death, subsequent presidents were Sir William Coldstream and Anthony Green, RA. George and Deborah Bunting continued their commitment to the IAC for a further 35 years until their deaths in 2000.
In 2002 the group changed its name to Islington Art Society, which continues to promote art and artists. Its members include painters, sculptors and printmakers both amateur and professional. It also benefits from the assistance of members who are not practising artists. IAS holds Spring and Autumn exhibitions each year. In 2006 the IAS started holding exhibitions in The Gallery attached to the Stoke Newington Library, in the London Borough of Hackney. Since 2009 it has held one of its twice yearly exhibitions in the galleries of the Hornsey Library in the nearby Borough of Haringey.
a lively, friendly, community based art society run by its members for artists living in and around Islington. Our members represent a range of disciplines including painting, photography, sculpture, printmaking and ceramics.
We mount two shows of members’ work every year, one in spring and one in autumn (for more information see exhibitions page). All members are eligible to submit work for which there is a small administrative charge. Membership costs £15 a year - please see the membership page for further details.
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After A. E. Hickman-Smith’s death in 1965 the IAC was led by George and Deborah Bunting who staged a successful Autumn Exhibition. At the close of the exhibition they formed a committee with artists: Geoff Wickham, Leonard Renton, James Hardy, Sylvia Leibson, Joan Sexton and their partners. From the beginning, this committee was determined to preserve the quality of work. As proof of IAC’s standard, the first president was Sir Basil Spence, of Coventry Cathedral fame. Following his death, subsequent presidents were Sir William Coldstream and Anthony Green, RA. George and Deborah Bunting continued their commitment to the IAC for a further 35 years until their deaths in 2000.In 2002 the group changed its name to Islington Art Society, which continues to promote art and artists. Its members include painters, sculptors and printmakers both amateur and professional. It also benefits from the assistance of members who are not practising artists. IAS holds Spring and Autumn exhibitions each year. In 2006 the IAS started holding exhibitions in The Gallery attached to the Stoke Newington Library, in the London Borough of Hackney. Since 2009 it has held one of its twice yearly exhibitions in the galleries of the Hornsey Library in the nearby Borough of Haringey.
a lively, friendly, community based art society run by its members for artists living in and around Islington. Our members represent a range of disciplines including painting, photography, sculpture, printmaking and ceramics.
We mount two shows of members’ work every year, one in spring and one in autumn (for more information see exhibitions page). All members are eligible to submit work for which there is a small administrative charge. Membership costs £15 a year - please see the membership page for further details.
The School Art Club at Barnsbury Secondary School for Boys was initiated by Mr Frank Walton, the head of the Art Department at the request of about five boys who were very keen on art. It was an immediate success and 20 boys signed up as members, with the promise of additional recruits. Our activities in the art room began at four o’clock on Wednesdays and Fridays and it was plain to see that the keenness was quite contagious as the boys painted, drew or made anything they wanted. Their interesting work was displayed in the art room and was a source of pride to both pupils and mast”
Not that members of the Art Club were restricted in any way - indeed, Mr. Walton expected a diverse output of work ranging from conventional painting techniques to clay modelling and experimental media such as papier maché
Not that members of the Art Club were restricted in any way - indeed, Mr. Walton expected a diverse output of work ranging from conventional painting techniques to clay modelling and experimental media such as papier maché
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Barnsbury Secondary School for Boys 1965
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Frank Walton
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