About Us
The Law Society’s Art Group is a group of solicitors and those connected with the law. We all share a passion for art appreciation and many of us practise art as well. The group has around 80 members.
The group’s activities include:
- Annual exhibition
- Talks on well known artists
- Practical artistic guidance
- Visits to Galleries sometimes with a guided tour
- Painting days at places of cultural, historical or scenic interest
- Annual painting trip away in the UK or Europe, which non painters also attend.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Sponsorship opportunities are available from Law firms and members to:
- Sponsor Exhibition prizes
- Sponsor the group
- Host the Law Society’s Art group annual exhibition or other smaller exhibitions
Our History
The Law Society’s Art Group was formed in 1960 through the combined efforts of Law Society Council members and the then editor of the Law Society’s Gazette, Tom Harper.
Prior to this, in 1958, the Law Society had stimulated lawyers’ interest in the arts with an exhibition of members’ paintings and drawings at the annual conference at Eastbourne. In the Group’s early years, the Society gave support by providing annual grants and prize money for the Group’s annual exhibition. A past president, Sir David Napley, and other leading lawyers became members. These included Sir Anthony Lousada, sometime president of the Royal College of Art and the Tate, and Edgar Duchin.
The initial aim of the Group was to give members an opportunity to exhibit their art, but it soon extended to one of fostering a more general interest in the arts within the profession.
The annual exhibition of the group was held at the Law Society’s Hall in Chancery Lane for 60 years until 2020. Physical exhibitions no longer take place at the Law Society, so the annual physical exhibition is now being held elsewhere. Since 2021 the annual exhibition has been held Virtually as well.
Images from top downwards:
Maria Memoli, London Skyline 2020
Hannah Ihsan, A London View, the Old Bailey
Ruth Munby, The Quilting Circle (part image)
John Joseph, Steam 2020