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The History of Downland Art Soiciety

Downland Art Society came into being in what, in retrospect, could be described as a somewhat unusual way. According to an article in the Bognor Post, published in August 1945, the residents of Barnham, in 1944, desired to raise funds in order to purchase an ambulance. An Arts and Craft exhibition was held as one of the fund-raising projects. This brought together a group of local artists, who decided it would be pleasant to form an Art Society.

The first meeting

On December 16th 1944 a preliminary meeting was held at the studio of Maurice Randall, a well known professional artist, at which it was decided to form such a society, with the tentative title of "The Walberton Art Society".

Six people, three ladies and three gentlemen, attended this inaugural meeting. They were : - Mr and Mrs Randell, Mrs Bissett, Mrs Mather, and Messrs Boyce and Carter. 
In addition to the decision to form a Society, and its title, it was further decided that every effort should be made to enroll new members, that Mr Maurice Randall should be President, and that another meeting should be held on January 13th 1945, at which new members would submit their work for criticism by the President. This meeting was duly held in Mr Randall's studio, with 12 members attending. Discussion ranged around the aims of the Society, and the formulation of a programme.

A second meeting was later held in February where the annual subscription was decided to be 5 shillings per member, and that the title of the Society was to be : - "Southdown Villages Arts and Crafts Society". Further Committee meetings were held each month during the rest of 1945.

The first exhibition

During 1945 It was decided at a meeting in July, that a public exhibition was too ambitious, but that a private exhibition might be attempted.
Two exhibitions were held but the information about these was very brief and by no means illuminating.
Eventually the West Sussex County Council Education Committee lent two class rooms at Barnham School at which the first exhibition was held.
A second exhibition was later held this time in the Bognor Regis library. Eighty paintings were on view principally landscapes, still life and portraits. The mediums included, oils, water-colours, pen-and-inks and pastels.

The first A.G.M

This initial year culminated in the 1st Annual General Meeting, held at "Littlehaven", West Walberton Lane, Walberton, on December 15th 1945 with 13 members attending. The following officers and committee were elected for 1946.

• President: Mr Randall
• Vice-President, a new appointment: Mr Collister
• Hon. Secretary / Hon Tresurer: Mr Towell, replacing Mr Carter
• Committee: Messers Carter, Potter, Boyce, Jay and Mrs Treweeks. In addition, Mrs Randall was described as Librarian, and a member of the committee also.

The most important decision taken at this meeting, was to alter the name of the society to "Downland Art Society" by which it has been known ever since.

On December 15th 1945 the retiring Hon. treasurer Mr Carter stated that the credit balance of the society stood at 5-16-7d. This was regarded as "very satisfactory" by those present.