NORWICH ARTISTS' CONVERSAZIONE
At a meeting held at the Exhibition Room, Exchange Street, [Norwich 1828] it was unanimously agreed, that a conversazione, on the principle of those held in London, would lend much to the advancement of the Fine Arts in the County of Norfolk and City of Norwich.
It was resolved that
1st - That the members of the "Norfolk and Suffolk Institution for the Promotion of the Fine Arts" take immediate steps for the formation of such a conversazione, inviting amateur and gentlemen to join them in the furtherance of this object - to be called "The Artists' Conversazione".
2nd - That it consists of eighty members.
3rd - That it be held at the Norfolk Hotel, to meet at seven, and to close at eleven o'clock.
4th - It is expected that each member will introduce work or works of art for the inspection of members and visitors present.
5th - Tea and coffee to be served from eight until ten o'clock.
6th - That each member's subscription, for the three evenings of the present season, be 10s. 6d. [52p] for which he will be entitled to a ticket to introduce a friend once during the season.
7th - Any gentleman wishing to become a member, must be proposed by one-member, seconded by another, and balloted for the same evening four-fifths of the members present in favour to constitute an election. The ballot to take place at ten o'clock.
8th - All laws and regulations affecting the Institution to be governed by a committee, consisting of those amateur artists, to be elected annually.
The Minute Book 1829-1839 is in the British Library, Manuscript Collections: Add MS 37033
Hon. President of the Coversazione
Lieut. Col. John Harvey (1755-1842)
Stewards
John Sell Cotman (1782–1842)
John Berney Crome (1794–1842)
Committee
Amateurs
Charles Turner (1788–1861) - President.
Thomas Brightwell (1787-1868)
Page Nicol Scott (1781-1848)
Artists
James Stark
John Berney Crome (1794–1842)
John Sell Cotman (1782–1842)
John Philip Davis (1784-1862)
Horatio Beevor Love
David Hodgson - Secretary