The original Society was formed in 1928. It was during that year that C.V.MacKenzie, a well-known artist and art teacher, together with other artists and craftsmen, formed

what they called ‘The Dudley and District Art Circle.’ Its first meeting was held in Crannage’s, the popular café in Dudley High Street, and from its beginning the membership was around seventy in number. It included a nucleus of distinguished 

1930’s artists, including: F. Smith, G. Deeley and C.V.MacKenzie, (who exhibited at the Royal Academy)

At the same time, the young Percy Shakespeare, (considered by many to have been the finest artist that Dudley has produced), was also exhibiting at the Royal Academy and The Salon. He was tragically killed in 1943, during an air raid on his Naval base, HMS Vernon, at Roedean in Sussex, during the Second World War. He was only 37. A gallery is dedicated to his work in Dudley Art Gallery and perhaps, more appropriately, it is the room where he studied as a student. Sadly, several members of the Art Circle were lost, killed in action during the war. Others returned and gave presentations of their experiences and showed sketches they had produced on active service.

During the early years, as well as painting, the Art Circle promoted a wide range of arts and crafts, including: woodcarving, glassware, bookbinding, weaving, pottery, heraldry and a host of associated activities. There were also the regular feature of  practical demonstrations and what were known as, ‘Lantern Lectures’ given by visiting speakers.

In 1948 ,C.V.MacKenzie, still chairman of the Art Circle after twenty years and also Curator of Dudley Art Gallery, died at the age of 55. The Town Council purchased, and still has, six of his watercolours to be displayed at his memorial exhibition at Dudley Art Gallery. He had been a much-respected teacher at Dudley Grammar School and Dudley Art School. He was a considerable artist.

Following his death, Miss Tivey, who had become Treasurer in the 1930’s, followed him as Chairman, a post she then held for over 40 years.

In 1957 a Friday Sketching Club was formed for ‘the purpose of drawing from costume life.’ This was, no doubt, the start of the portrait evenings, which are a feature of the Society to this day. At that time, what were known as, Programme meetings were held once a month, separately from the sketching nights. These were the visiting speaker/demonstration nights. Eventually the activities were merged to weekly meetings, with one of the meetings each month devoted to prominent artists, both local and national, to make presentations and demonstrations. In this period, perhaps, the Society’s most outstanding and influential artist was Percy Hipkiss. He was an exceptional talent and did much to enhance the standing of the Society, until his death in 1995. During the Art exhibition, one of the Society’s most prestigious prizes: the Percy Hipkiss Award is dedicated to him.

The Dudley Society of Artists meets regularly and despite having a few venues around the town, they still meet and exhibit regularly. Their home now, is Castle High School and Visual Arts College, (originally Dudley Grammar School). They meet weekly, have a clothed model and regular demonstration sessions. There are several members that meet to work Plein Air and this continues throughout the summer. Our members include artists, painters, sculptors, textile artists. Printmakers and sign writers. There is a strong variety of working styles and despite being an amateur society, several members has achieved success in exhibitions locally, regionally and nationally. Dudley Society of Artists is celebrating its 85th anniversary and we look forward to many more to come.

The Art Circle title lasted for over 50 years and by 1979 membership was still in the seventies, but consisted mainly of painters, including Raymond Whitehouse, who was a subject of an ITV 1 documentary named Waterworld.

It was decided to amend the constitution and change the name to ‘The Dudley Society of Artists.’ Happily, the membership is still in the seventies.