Origins and development
According to an early history of the club, written by J. Lawson Petingale to celebrate its first 50 years, John Dovaston and Arthur Sortwell had the idea of forming a local art society in July 1910. On 15 November a group gathered in the studio of Dovaston’s sister Margaret to discuss and constitute the Ealing Art Guild, with Margaret appointed its secretary, and Adolphus (her father) the chairman – a position he held until 1935, when he became president. 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. The new name was adopted at a reception and general meeting on 22 January 1922, with the formation of the Drama and Music Sections. 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 club expanded again when the Literature Group came into being in 1948; and all Sections were renamed Groups at the same time. The minutes record, however, that there was a growing wish among the artist members to become more independent, both organisationally and financially. Separation from the Ealing Arts Club came in 1983, with Bert Wright, PPRSA, FRSA chairing the new Ealing Art Group, and Charles Gould its secretary. The group devised its own logo at the time, which was redesigned by EAG member Peter Averson-Maunder in the 1990s. The remaining Ealing Arts Club gradually disbanded after the separation.Present at first meeting
The original list, in the meeting minutes, did not include given names. The identities and addresses of some participants have been derived from the 1911 census.Some key office holders
Exhibitions
The first exhibition was hastily staged inThe exhibits in this year’s exhibition number nearly 200, and reveal a high quality of work and a wide catholicity of taste. Among the examples most admired by the visitors were those of Mr. and Mrs.More recent exhibitions are illustrated on the Ealing Art Group's website.James Alphege Brewer James Alphege Brewer (1881-1946) was a well-known early 20th century producer of colour etchings - notably of English and European Cathedrals and churches and other scenes. Family & Early Life Brewer was born on 24th July 1881, in Kensington, ..., Mrs. Ethel M. Found, Miss Elizabeth King, Miss Margaret Dovaston, and Messrs. J. W. T. Vinall, Terence H. Lambert, Henry Charles Brewer, T. W. Cole, Albert H. Howe, Charles F. Angrave, Spencer H. Lawrence, and P. M. Andrews.
Early drama section productions
The Drama Section gave its first public performance in November 1923 at the Park Theatre,Music section
It is not known exactly when this section was formed, but an advertisement appeared in 1926 stating that "Amateur string players and vocalists living in or near Ealing would be welcomed as members of the Ealing Arts Club. Small string orchestra and madrigal choir. Harold E. West, 8. Liverpool Road, Ealing, W.5."Notes
References
{{reflist British artist groups and collectives