The Ealing Art Guild was founded in 1910, to further the interests of local artists of all disciplines, whether professional, amateur or lay.
According to an early history of the club, written by J. Lawson Petingale[2] to celebrate its first 50 years, John Dovaston and Arthur Sortwell had the idea of forming a local art society in July 1910.
On 29 November the Committee of Management met to draw up rules for the new organisation, the second of which stated "That the Guild do consist of Local Painters, Sculptors, Architects, Designers, Etchers, Engravers, Black and white Artists, and Artcraft workers (Professional and Amateur) and Lay Members."
In December 1921 the committee recommended that the guild's name be changed to the Ealing Arts Club, to reflect its expansion.
In 1932 the Amenities Group was added, and became active in the borough by writing letters and agitating for the retention of historic structures in Ealing, at a time when much new development was underway.
The first exhibition was hastily staged in Ealing Town Hall, in conjunction with a "Grand Shakespearean Bazaar", on 11 and 12 November 1910.
Among the examples most admired by the visitors were those of Mr. and Mrs. James Alphege Brewer,[12] Mrs. Ethel M. Found,[q] Miss Elizabeth King, Miss Margaret Dovaston, and Messrs. J. W. T. Vinall,[13] Terence H. Lambert,[r] Henry Charles Brewer,[12] T. W. Cole,[s] Albert H. Howe,[t] Charles F. Angrave,[14] Spencer H. Lawrence, and P. M. Andrews.More recent exhibitions are illustrated on the Ealing Art Group's website.
[1] The Drama Section gave its first public performance in November 1923 at the Park Theatre, Hanwell, with a production of Gertrude Jennings’ popular comedy "The Young Person in Pink".