In 1996 Peter and Margaret Dallow gathered up the waiting list for membership of Solihull DFAS and used it to form this Society. Peter became the founding Chairman of the Society and subsequently its President.
Membership has grown steadily and totalled over 300 in 2019. The figure for 2020 is not yet available.. The geographical distribution is shown on the membership map
Members pride themselves on their high level of curiosity and enthusiasm over the full spectrum of the Decorative and Fine Arts.
The Arden Committee continues to respond by creating a varied programme of lectures, visits and study days. There are occasional overseas study visits which are always heavily subscribed. These have concentrated, in recent years, on visits to Italy but there has also been a visit to Spain.
Social events include two lunches every year, a wine and mince pies event near Christmas and receptions for new members.
In 2005, the Society applied for and was granted status as a registered charity. The consequential income from gift-aid tax relief has helped to fund our charitable activities. Notable among these is support for the Young Arts movement through the creation of annual Art prizes in local sixth-form colleges. There is also significant work in the areas of conservation and church recording and the creation of church trails.
This website was designed and created by Airedale Solutions. The Arden Website Manager is responsible for all the details, narrative and graphics and has editorial control. Material is supplied by Committee members with responsibilities for the various sections.
We now enter our twenty-fourth year with every hope of continuing success.
The Society recognises with thanks the services of its former Chairmen; Peter Dallow (founding), Molly Stanley, Jenny Sansbury, Roger Braithwaite, Michael Norton, Gerrie Bruce and Dennis Pick