The Arts Society

Stourbridge Decorative and Fine Arts Society has recently changed its name to The Arts Society Stourbridge as part of a move to make itself better known and to offer its members the widest possible range of arts related talks and events. Started in 1997, the society is a non profit making organisation with 350 members drawn from the town's residents and surrounding areas such as the Wyre Forest, Halesowen, Kinver, Clent and Bromsgrove. They meet monthly on a Thursday morning at Stourbridge Town Hall to hear nationally known lecturers talking on a range of topics. Recent subjects have included the history of the Birmingham based Lunar Society, arts and crafts in the Midlands, Pugin's architecture, Caraveggio's paintings, Diaghilev's Ballet Russe, and many others. In addition, the society organises trips to the theatre for ballet and opera performances, visits to historic houses, galleries and churches as well as overseas art tours.

Chairman, Stephen Brown commented "Being part of a nationwide organisation, we are able to attract the best lecturers to Stourbridge to entertain and inform our members on the widest possible range of art related subjects. We also support local schools, colleges and community groups by helping to fund special projects which they would not necessarily be able to afford. We regularly help local schools to take groups of pupils on art gallery visits. For example, both Brockmoor Primary School and Chadsgrove School (for special needs pupils) have been to the Barber Art Gallery for talks and hands on activities during the past few months. "

Some of the other projects that have been funded by the society include ceramic butterfly decorating by patients at KEMP Hospice, Kidderminster, prizes for artwork by Sixth Form students at King Edward V1 College, Stourbridge, studying "A" Levels in Graphics, Art and Textiles as well as in house art days for pupils at Amblecote Primary School.

Membership of The Arts Society Stourbridge is open to anybody who has an interest in learning more about the arts and more information can be found on their website theartssocietystourbridge.org.uk