Heeley Art Club

The Club, named because many of the original members lived in the Sheffield suburb of Heeley was formed in 1895. The original members, mainly amateurs, were dissatisfied with the Sheffield Society of Artists, dominated by professionals running the society for their own benefit. The club provided models for a shilling a time. Over the years, the original aim has changed little. The meetings still encourage both the study and practice of pictorial art. Loyal and enthusiastic artists support the fortnightly meetings, and exhibitions are well attended. Early members' work had to pass a 'visual examination' before membership was granted.

At one of the first exhibitions, the walls were crowded with pictures, at prices of from five shillings (25p). Dealers queued for the doors to open. Exhibition walls are still crowded but prices have increased somewhat! In the early twentieth century, two members, Arthur Lismer and Fred Varley, emigrated to Canada. They became founders of the 'Group of Seven', an influential and now much-collected group depicting the Canadian landscape with great skill. Other noted members included Kenneth Steel and Tom La Dell.

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