Precise details are scarce, but it is known that the idea for an Art Society in Rugby was first mooted by a group of artist friends in 1935, although the formation of the actual Society did not take place until the following year.

In October 1936 the Borough Librarian mounted an exhibition of works from local artists that aroused considerable interest; within two weeks 1,000 people had visited, and a second exhibition of different works was immediately arranged. The Rugby Observer noted: "Whether people are interested in what their fellow townsmen do in their spare time, or only in exhibitions of art as such, they will find that the Library exhibition will fill an hour in an interesting fashion." Various newspaper comments included a complaint from ‘Two Local Artists’ at being left out, and a letter from ‘Anti-Modernist’ declaring that one painting was "best described as a problem picture". The criticised artist, Mr. A. J. Hodgkinson, became first President of the Rugby and District Art Society, and many of the exhibitors also joined as founder members.

The first exhibition organised by the Society itself, again in the Public Library, was opened in October 1937 by Captain R. B. Talbot Kelly RI., who was Art Master at Rugby School and curator of the Rugby School museum. He described the aim of the Society as "entirely non-materialistic. … not there so much to sell pictures as to share and enjoy their common love of pictures".

The earliest catalogue in the Society’s files is for the 3^rd Annual exhibition held in May-June 1940, when 109 pieces were on display, including Oils, Watercolours, Pencil & Pastel drawings, and examples of Illuminating, Etching, Wood Engraving, Applique and Weaving. It is believed that activities were limited for some of the war period but by 1945 membership cards were again being issued stating "that the aim of the Society shall be to foster all forms of Art in the town and district." – a credo that has been followed ever since. At this time, and up until 1963, meetings were held from September to May on a Saturday evening at Rugby Borough Library.

When this venue became unavailable meetings were moved, on a ‘temporary basis’, to Rugby School, where Mr. Talbot Kelly was still Art Master. They were charged 10/- (50p) per meeting. The Society continued to meet there for another 40 years until 2004!

The Society has had a number of distinguished people in the role of Vice president.

The painter L. S. Lowry was a Vice President for over 2 decades until his death in 1976, as was the Bishop of Coventry The Right Reverend C. N. K. Bardsley, during the 70s; and for around 30 years after the war Vice Presidents also regularly included the serving Mayor of Rugby. John Lines, the local painter with an international reputation for his land, sea & urbanscapes, is our current Vice-President.

The minutes of meetings, whilst incomplete, give a fascinating picture of the Society’s progress and finances. In 1957 Mr. Proust sent 5/- suggesting that "a fund be built up by members contributing likewise". It is recorded that the suggestion fell on "stony ground", but the Treasurer accepted the 5/- "with avidity". In 1960 an "announcement of our Exhibition was broadcast on BBC Home Service on Thursday (Nov. 19^th) at 1.40pm", and in 1961 the Exhibition was opened by James Gardner OBE, of Festival of Britain fame. By 1964 things were running less well, as this minute shows: "Clearly Mrs.B. is having great difficulty in doing this and in some instances is ineffective." – remarkably, as Secretary, she wrote this about herself!

In 1976, by which time membership was approaching 200, it was suggested at a committee meeting that an expert invited for a criticism session should say "one good thing and one bad thing about each work.". This was the year of the Benn Hall exhibition in honour of the Queen’s Jubilee,

which only served to demonstrate that some things never change: "The Jubilee Exhibition was judged to be very successful although there had been some adverse criticism regarding the selection and rejection of pictures submitted. The Selection Committee refuted any suggestion of unfair or biased handling…. there had also been some examples of pictures painted as second-hand copies of photographs and other paintings, which had slipped through…". Finally: "Mrs. Chandler announced that after 8 years of being in charge of the coffee she felt it was time someone else had a go."

The Society is less well-documented during the 80s, but by the 90s some drawbacks were becoming apparent with the venue at Rugby School. Restrictions on availability and access through The Close (detailed instructions on how to find it had to be printed on the membership cards!) were proving counter-productive. The programme details bore the ominous warning: " The large gates are locked during the evening so please leave your car outside." Speakers were occasionally surprised to find themselves locked in!

The Society left Rugby School for a new venue at Dunchurch Village Hall in 2004. Following the move membership increased and is currently again approaching 150. The Society is now active all year round, arranging regular monthly talks and demonstrations as well as 3 full exhibitions of members’ work each year in different venues, plus a variety of visits and workshops. The membership is a representative mix of amateurs and professionals interested in and practising the arts in Rugby and a wide surrounding area.

It is remarkable that as we celebrated our 70^th year one of the founder members, Audrey Feazey, still lived in Rugby at a sprightly 98 years old. When asked to describe the early days she said "It was very small when it started. Originally we had no one place to meet and had to move around a bit!" and, commenting on the Society’s subsequent 70 years, "I think it’s an asset to the town, isn’t it?"

Above all, she said, "I enjoyed the painting and I enjoyed the people, too!"

There is little doubt that we are all proud to be seventy years old.