The Story of the RWS Gallery at Whitcomb Street

  • 1804
    On Friday 30 November the first meeting of ‘The Society Associated for the purpose of Establishing an Annual Exhibition of Paintings in Water Colours’ was held at The Stratford Coffee House on Oxford Street, London. Born out of a sense of grievance by a number of such artists who practised in watercolour and felt that they were discriminated against by the Royal Academy, the only professional artistic body of the day.

     

     
  • 1823
    The Society of Painters in Watercolours (now known as the Royal Watercolour Society) began to hold exhibitions at 6 Pall Mall East. They were to stay there for 115 years.
    1823 The Society of Painters in Watercolours (now known as the Royal Watercolour Society) began to hold exhibitions at 6...
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    1881-2
    The Society acquired a royal charter and shortly afterwards Queen Victoria agreed to sign the certificates each member received upon being elected to the Society.

     

     

    1938
    On expiry of their lease the RWS left Pall Mall East and moved to 26 Conduit Street, a former dinner and dance hall.

     

     
  • 1980
    The RWS moved to Bankside Gallery, the place the Society continue to call their home to this day.
    1980 The RWS moved to Bankside Gallery, the place the Society continue to call their home to this day.
  • 2015
    The RWS was approached by property developers Hobhouse who were looking for an arts charity to occupy part of a building they were renovating on Whitcomb Street. Their research had found that Pall Mall East where the Society had shown their paintings so many years ago, was in the same building. After discussions and negotiations led by Thomas Plunkett (RWS President at the time) the RWS gladly accepted. Building works and fundraising began.
    2015 The RWS was approached by property developers Hobhouse who were looking for an arts charity to occupy part of...
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    2017
    Huon Mallalieu Hon. RWS introduced Jill Leman, President of the RWS, to now Honorary Member David Benson, who went on to play a key role in fundraising for the Whitcomb Street Project.

     

     
  • 2018
    On behalf of the RWS, Past President Francis Bowyer enlisted the help of Chris Wilkinson RA (later made Honorary RWS) of the award winning firm WilkinsonEyre. Chris, along with Conor Worth and Yasmin Al-Ani Spence worked closely with the developers to bring the gallery to fruition. Chris sadly passed away in 2021.
    2018 On behalf of the RWS, Past President Francis Bowyer enlisted the help of Chris Wilkinson RA (later made Honorary...
  • 2018
    On 15th August RWS Member Julia Midgley visited the site for what would be the first of 17 visits, to begin a series of 29 drawings documenting the construction and renovation process. The resulting body of work can be viewed via the link below.

     

    The Whitcomb Street Drawings
    2018 On 15th August RWS Member Julia Midgley visited the site for what would be the first of 17 visits,...
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    2019
    The RWS held a fundraising exhibition at Bankside Gallery. Members of the RWS along with other artists and guests generously donated artworks for Be Part of Art which featured a secret postcard sale, artwork auction and informative displays on the Whitcomb Street Project.

     

     
  • 2020
    On 13th February Jill Leman PRWS and Francis Bowyer PPRWS signed a 250 year lease on the gallery spaces at 3-5 Whitcomb Street. Shortly afterwards, lockdown began in the UK.
    2020 On 13th February Jill Leman PRWS and Francis Bowyer PPRWS signed a 250 year lease on the gallery spaces...
  • 2022
    After lots of behind-the-scenes works carried out by Jill Leman PRWS, Jim Hunter VPRWS and Fay Brown, Operations & Communications Manager, the RWS Gallery ‘soft opening’ began with a retrospective of RWS Member, David Remfry’s watercolours in May. The soft opening continued until the following March.
    2022 After lots of behind-the-scenes works carried out by Jill Leman PRWS, Jim Hunter VPRWS and Fay Brown, Operations &...
  • 2023
    In June, after almost a year of ‘soft opening’ exhibitions, events, fundraisers, and many hiccups along the way, the Royal Watercolour Society delivered RWS NOW, the inaugural exhibition at the new RWS Gallery at Whitcomb Street. 
    2023 In June, after almost a year of ‘soft opening’ exhibitions, events, fundraisers, and many hiccups along the way, the...