Aberdeen Artists' Society

Aberdeen Artists' Society was founded as early as 1827 by a small group of artists and architects who included James Giles, (1801-1870) and Archibald Simpson, (1790-1847). Over a hundred and fifty years later the then Head of Gray's School of Art, Ian Fleming revitalised the Society into its present vibrant being. The Society holds annual exhibitions enhancing the eponymous city’s artistic status. Exhibiting and membership is not limited to Scottish-born artists indeed more recent members come from the far east although they are currently living in and practising their art in Scotland. For more than two decades oil conglomerate Shell has generously sponsored annual awards and judges of international repute are invited to adjudicate and select winners. These annual exhibitions are held usually in the spring at the Aberdeen Art Gallery which has hosted this annual event almost since the Society's inception. With around 250 members exhibiting over 300 works from nearly three times as many submissions, it is the largest and arguably best-attended exhibition of its kind in the north of Scotland.