Hesketh Hubbard Art Society
Encyclopedia
The Hesketh Hubbard Art Society is the largest life drawing society in London. It was founded in 1930 and has been meeting regularly since then.
and holds its meetings in the Federation's Mall Galleries, next to Trafalgar Square
.
There are 50 meetings annually with three life models and one portrait model in poses of varying duration. The sessions are untutored and open to amateurs and professionals alike. Prospective members are asked to show a selection of work.
An early member was Grace Golden
(1904 – 1993), author, illustrator and artist, an extensive collection of whose work is in the Museum of London
. The Society awarded a first prize to Leonard Bennetts (1933 – 2005), a New Zealand
artist who settled in London and described himself as "the original retrogressionist (the way forwards is backwards)". Colin McMillan (born 1923) has been a President of the Society and a member for 20 years. He began painting in the Royal Navy
and his work is in the Imperial War Museum
. Ray Denton, a winner of the Charles Pears prize at the Royal Society of Marine Artists was a member of the Society, till leaving London in 1996.
The current President of the Society is Simon Whittle, and the Vice-President, David Cottingham.
History and activities
The Hesketh Hubbard Art Society has been holding weekly life drawing classes since its foundation in 1930. It was originally a club within the Royal Society of British Arts. It is one of the 9 member societies that form the Federation of British ArtistsFederation of British Artists
The Federation of British Artists consists of nine art societies, and is based at the Mall Galleries in London where the societies Annual Exhibitions are held. The societies represent living artists working in the UK who create contemporary figurative art...
and holds its meetings in the Federation's Mall Galleries, next to Trafalgar Square
Trafalgar Square
Trafalgar Square is a public space and tourist attraction in central London, England, United Kingdom. At its centre is Nelson's Column, which is guarded by four lion statues at its base. There are a number of statues and sculptures in the square, with one plinth displaying changing pieces of...
.
There are 50 meetings annually with three life models and one portrait model in poses of varying duration. The sessions are untutored and open to amateurs and professionals alike. Prospective members are asked to show a selection of work.
An early member was Grace Golden
Grace Golden
-Early life:Grace Lydia Golden was born to a working class family in east London. After her education at the City of London School for Girls, she won a scholarship to the Chelsea College of Art, where she studied from 1920-1923...
(1904 – 1993), author, illustrator and artist, an extensive collection of whose work is in the Museum of London
Museum of London
The Museum of London documents the history of London from the Prehistoric to the present day. The museum is located close to the Barbican Centre, as part of the striking Barbican complex of buildings created in the 1960s and 70s as an innovative approach to re-development within a bomb damaged...
. The Society awarded a first prize to Leonard Bennetts (1933 – 2005), a New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
artist who settled in London and described himself as "the original retrogressionist (the way forwards is backwards)". Colin McMillan (born 1923) has been a President of the Society and a member for 20 years. He began painting in the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
and his work is in the Imperial War Museum
Imperial War Museum
Imperial War Museum is a British national museum organisation with branches at five locations in England, three of which are in London. The museum was founded during the First World War in 1917 and intended as a record of the war effort and sacrifice of Britain and her Empire...
. Ray Denton, a winner of the Charles Pears prize at the Royal Society of Marine Artists was a member of the Society, till leaving London in 1996.
The current President of the Society is Simon Whittle, and the Vice-President, David Cottingham.