Clarendon Art Fellowship

The Fellowship was formed in 1879 by Edmund Watson, a professional artist who as a youth went sketching with David Cox and Vincent Barbour producing sketches for the 'Graphic Illustrations of Warwickshire' now stored in the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery. Included amongst the eminent founder members was Walter Langley, later to become a major figure in the Newlyn Society of Artists.

The Easel Club was formed as an art fellowship along with the Clarendon Art Fellowship which met in Needless Alley, Birmingham and later at Dale End just outside the city centre. The two societies we amalgamated in 1947, retaining the Easel Club name. The Club has a serious commitment to maintaining the highest standards and ideals in art and meet on the first Thursday of each month to offer criticism of members works. They also exhibit their work on an annual basis at a variety of midland venues including the RBSA whose many members are also members of the Club. By its constitution, membership is limited to 25. Over the years these have included John Rabone Harvey, Edwin Butler Bayliss, Joseph Carter and Walter Jenks Morgan.