Late in 1990 an advertisement appeared in the local press inviting anyone interested in drawing and painting to join an art group to be set up in the Linskill Centre with guidance from local artist Harry Powrie.

After a well supported open meeting, North Shields Art Society was born in January 1991. A committee was formed and – without any real experience to call on – set about creating the kind of club the members wanted. The format has not changed over the years – a place for members to meet casually and socially with individuals having similar interests, rather than a structured course. This gave, and continues to give, members the ability to develop personal skills in their own way and an opportunity to learn from new friends.

The Society met on a Tuesday evening between 7pm and 9pm and over the years developed varied programmes of demonstrations, visits, workshops and exhibitions. The club went from strength to strength, nearly always having a membership of 40, plus a waiting list. The stability of the club is indicated by the fact current membership includes a number of founder members.

In November 1995, an exhibition was so successful it became the first of what is now a mainstay of the club – the annual St. John’s Church (Monkseaton) Exhibition. Around 120 pictures are displayed to an attendance of around 400 visitors. Additionally, through club membership of the Federation of Northern Art Societies, members gain access to other events and opportunities to enter other exhibitions.

In 2004 the Linskill Centre was threatened with closure, and for a short time the club met at St. Cuthbert’s Church in North Shields. By 2006 the Centre was re-opened and the club was invited back – to use the same room on the same evenings as when it started.
The Society has always been financially sound – members enjoy a low membership fee supported by funds raised at the annual exhibition.
Dave Middleton