THE SOCIETY HISTORY
1878
A group of artists met in Bromsgrove House in Croydon. They called themselves The Watteau Society , no doubt in honour of the great French artist, Antoine Watteau.
1881
Society renamed as Croydon Art Society.
1890
Society moves into a room of The Croydon Camera Club at 56 George Street, Croydon.
Irving Montague, post Crimean War artist was elected as the first President.
Exhibitions, called Soirees,held in various locations in Croydon including the Small Public Hall.. Photography,crafts and needlework were allowed in the exhibitions.
1895
A club was formed within the Society called the Drawing and Sketch Club whose main aim was to foster good drawing.
1896
Membership stood at 115 members.
1903
Exhibition held at the Art Galleries in Park Lane, Croydon. It was the custom in those early days to invite well known artists to exhibit their work. Invited were:John Singer Sargent, and Sir Alfred East.
1904
The Society’s name changed to THE CROYDON ART SOCIETY.
1907
Exhibition held at the Gallery, 16 Park Lane, Croydon. Invited artists included: Frank Dicksee and William Holman Hunt. Among the members exhibiting their work were: Walter Wallis , William Watkins, Terrick Williams and John Gray.