Oldham School of Art

The School of Art opened in 1881, next to the Lyceum Theatre and was briefly known as the Oldham Lyceum School. Within two years the Oldham Art Gallery, (now known as Gallery Oldham) was opened with the support of its local wealthy benefactor Charles Lees, (1840-1894). Two of the most famous artists Oldham produced paid tribute to the town in their names William Stott of Oldham (1857–1900) and Thomas Oldham Barlow, (1824-1889). Thomas Barlow was a mezzotint engraver, who helped to popularise the works of Sir John Everett Millais, (1829-1896). Other artists of note also associated with the School included John Houghton Hague, John Armitage, Harold Workman and James Purdy.

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