CAMBRIDGE DRAWING SOCIETY
Cambridge Drawing Society is believed to be one of the oldest of its kind in the UK, having been founded in 1882 by Lady Mary Sandys (21 April 1855–18 March 1937), wife of Sir John Edwin Sandys (19 May 1844–6 July 1922), the Public Orator. Meetings initially took place in members’ drawing rooms and later moved to the studio of Mary Charlotte Greene (29 October 1860–4 December 1951). The early exhibitions were held in the Rate Room of the old Guildhall and the first public exhibition took place in 1906. Throughout its long history the society has fostered the aims of its founding members, “To encourage the arts of drawing, painting, printmaking and sculpture in Cambridge and district and to promote exhibitions of members’ work”. Despite its name, the Society is not restricted to drawings, but exhibitions encompass a wide range of original paintings in different media, together with mixed media items, batik, limited edition prints and sculpture. The Society's membership is made up of both amateur and professional artists. Past members include Cecil Walter Hardy Beaton (14 January 1904-18 January 1980), Gwendolen Mary Raverat (26 August 1885–11 February 1957), Ronald William Fordham Searle (3 March 1920-30 December 2011) and Peter Graham (1959-), a Vice-President of the Royal Institute of Oil Painters and others for whom the Society provided a stepping-stone to a distinguished artistic career. Current exhibitions are held bi-annually in Spring and Autumn and are staged at the Guildhall. Suffolk artists who are members of the Cambridge Drawing Society include Amanda Barrett, Jan Couling, Sue Eaton, John Glover, David John Harrison, Marian Seward; Maria Isabella Smith and Patrick Wilkins.
Website: https://www.cambridgedrawingsociety.org