Chiswick School of Art

Designed by Maurice B Adams, (1849-1933) the building was opened in Bath Road, Chiswick in 1881. Amongst subjects it offered were ‘Freehand drawing in all its branches, practical Geometry and perspective, pottery and tile painting, design for decorative purposes – as in Wall-papers, Furniture, Metalwork, Stained Glass…’ Pupils included the brother and sisters of Irish playwright William Butler Yeats. In 1899 the School was taken over by the Middlesex County Council and became the Acton and Chiswick Polytechnic, changing its name in 1928 to the Chiswick Polytechnic. In August 1944 a Doodlebug (V1) bomb caused severe damage to the building but fortunately, there was only one recorded fatality and 6 injuries all no doubt due to the fact the bomb hit at 8.30 am. The Arts Educational School now occupies the premises, so maintaining the site’s original artistic tradition. Alumni and staff have included Bruce Angrave, Frederick Hamilton and Kenneth Lauder.