Royal Birmingham Society of Artists

The Royal Birmingham Society of Artists (RBSA) is an art society, based in the Jewellery Quarter in Birmingham, England, where it owns and operates an art gallery, the RBSA Gallery, on Brook Street, just off St Paul's Square. It is both a registered charity, and a registered company (no. 122616). History The RBSA was established as the Birmingham Society of Artists in 1821, though it can trace its origins back further to the life drawing academy opened by Samuel Lines, Moses Haughton, Vincent Barber and Charles Barber in Peck Lane (now the site of New Street Station) in 1809. From this group was founded the Birmingham Academy of Arts in 1814, whose first exhibition was held that year. In 1821, the Birmingham Society of Arts moved into a circular building on New Street however this was replaced by a new gallery and set of offices built behind a fine neo-classical portico in New Street by architects Thomas Rickman and Henry Hutchinson in 1829. In 1868 the RBSA received its royal charter and adopted its current name. The RBSA was to become a highly influential body in the later Victorian period, particularly within the Pre-Raphaelite and Arts and Crafts movements. Its members included some of the most significant figures in English art, and presidents during the period included artists of the stature of Edward Burne-Jones, William Morris, John Everett Millais and Lord Leighton. The Membership has two levels with artists first being elected Associates and then full Members. Members and Associates of the Royal Birmingham Society of Artists are entitled to use the post-nominal letters "RBSA" and "ARBSA" respectively. One of principal aims of the Society from its foundation had been to continue the educational activities pioneered by Lines. Initially this work was carried out by the society itself, but in 1842 group split and the Birmingham School of Art was founded as a separate institution a year later, falling under municipal control from 1877. Annual exhibitions of work by the Membership have taken place every year since the inaugural exhibition in 1827 (apart from 1940, 1941, and 2020). Increasing financial pressure in the early years of the 20th century led to the society's landmark New Street building being demolished and rebuilt as part of a commercial redevelopment, and in 2000 the society left the site completely, relocating to a converted warehouse near St Paul's Square in the Jewellery Quarter (grid reference SP063874). This is now known as the RBSA Gallery, and was opened by Charles, Prince of Wales, on 12 April 2000. Since the move, the RBSA has continued to expand and develop its activities. The Permanent Collection and Archive is now housed in a purpose built store which has allowed the collection to grow to around 1000 works, alongside countless catalogues, letters, records, and minutes, all documenting the Society's history. This collection is also an important record of the arts in Birmingham and the city's history. The RBSA successfully applied for Museum Accreditation in 2006 and exhibitions of work from the collection take places twice a year. In 2017, the RBSA received a legacy from Kate Fryer, a long-standing Member and RBSA Professor of Painting. This kick-started the full refurbishment of the Gallery which was also supported by grants from other charitable trusts. The two bronze plaques on its exterior, made in 1919, are the earliest known Birmingham works of William Bloye, later the society's president and Professor of Sculpture. Presidents Many of the Society's presidents were notable artists. They include: 1842 (1842) – 1849 (1849): Sir Martin Archer Shee, PRA 1850 (1850) – 1865 (1865): Sir Charles Lock Eastlake, PRA 1866 (1866) – 1878 (1878): Sir Francis Grant, PRA 1879 (1879) – 1880 (1880): Sir Frederick Leighton, Bart., PRA 1881 (1881) – 1882 (1882): Sir John Everett Millais, Bart., PRA 1883 (1883) – 1884 (1884): Lawrence Alma-Tadema, RA 1885 (1885) – 1886 (1886): Sir Edward Burne-Jones, Bart. 1887 (1887) – 1888 (1888): George Frederic Watts, RA 1889 (1889) – 1890 (1890): Sir Frederick Leighton, Bart., PRA 1891 (1891) – 1892 (1892): William Quiller Orchardson, RA 1893 (1893) – 1894 (1894): Professor Hubert von Herkomer, RA 1895 (1895) – 1896 (1896): Lawrence Alma-Tadema, RA 1897 (1897) – 1898 (1898): Sir Edward Poynter, PRA 1899 (1899) – 1900 (1900): Sir William Blake Richmond, KCB, DCL, RA 1901 (1901) – 1902 (1902): Edwin Abbey, RA 1903 (1903) – 1904 (1904): Valentine Cameron Prinsep, RA 1905 (1905) – 1906 (1906): Sir Aston Webb, RA 1907 (1907) – 1908 (1908): Sir Ernest Waterlow, RA, PRWS 1909 (1909): Edward John Gregory, RA, PRI 1910 (1910) – 1914 (1914): Sir George Frampton, RA, LLD, FSA 1915 (1915) – 1924 (1924): Alfred Drury, RA 1925 (1925) – 1926 (1926): Frank Brangwyn, RA 1927 (1927) – 1931 (1931): William John Wainwright, RWS 1931 (1931) – 1935 (1935): J.V. Jelley 1935 (1935) – 1939 (1939): Edward S. Harper 1939 (1939) – 1945 (1945): Joseph Southall (died in post, 1944) 1945 (1945) – 1948 (1948): Charles Wheeler, RA 1948 (1948) – 1950 (1950): William Bloye, FRBS 1950 (1950) – 1952 (1952): Bernard Fleetwood-Walker, ARA, RWS, ROI, RP, NEAC 1952 (1952) – 1953 (1953): Henry Rushbury, RA, RWS, RE 1953 (1953) – 1955 (1955): Harold Holden, RWS, ARCA (Lond.) 1956 (1956) – 1958 (1958): Holland W. Hobbiss, FRIBA 1958 (1958) – 1960 (1960): Leonard Ward, RI, ARCamA 1960 (1960) – 1962 (1962): Herbert Jackson, FRIBA 1962 (1962) – 1964 (1964): George Monkhouse, FCIS 1964 (1964) – 1966 (1966): C. Harry Adams, SSI 1966 (1966) – 1971 (1971): Douglas Perry 1971 (1971) – 1973 (1973): Jack Metson 1973 (1973) – 1974 (1974): Bruce Hurn 1974 (1974) – 1978 (1978): James Priddey 1978 (1978) – 1980 (1980): Joan Elizabeth Woollard 1980 (1980) – 1983 (1983): Peter Gross 1983 (1983) – 1987 (1987): W. Alex Jackson 1987 (1987) – 1992 (1992): C.A. Sawbridge 1992 (1992) – 1995 (1995): Ernest Horton 1995 (1995) – 2001 (2001): Marylane Barfield 2001 (2001) – 2003 (2003): Roger Forbes 2003 (2003) – 2005 (2005): Roy Winter 2005 (2005) – 2008 (2008): Michele White 2008 (2008) – 2012 (2012): John Scott Martin 2012 (2012) – 2019: Robert Neil 2019 (2019) – 2021 (2021): Wayne Attwood 2021 (2021) – 2022 (2022): Steve Evans 2022 (2022) – 2025 (2025): Viv Astling 2025 - present: Ed Isaacs Current activities The RBSA continues its core activities today as an independent, artist-led charity which supports artists and promotes engagement with the visual arts through a range of exhibitions, events and workshops. See also Category:Members and Associates of the Royal Birmingham Society of Artists References General The Making of Birmingham: Being a History of the Rise and Growth of the Midland Metropolis, Robert K. Dent, Published by J. L. Allday, 1894 Buildings of England: Warwickshire, Nikolaus Pevsner and Alexandra Wedgwood, 1966, 1974, ISBN 0-14-071031-0 External links Royal Birmingham Society of Artists History of RBSA Artworks at Royal Birmingham Society of Artists, on the Art UK site