Slide images featuring works by Pete French, Hilary McFarland, Sarah Ball, Alan Overton and Carol Symon.

This exhibition celebrates Frome Art Society’s 40-year history of biannual awards, named after its founders.

Winning artists from the Vera Skinner Prize (judged by an invited artist) and from the Appleyard Trophy (named after Charles Appleyard and selected by popular vote) will be exhibiting new works. Both awards are named after founding members of the society.

In the early 1990’s Frome Art Society was invited to be the first group to exhibit at the then newly renovated, 17th century ‘Black Swan Inn’. The society progressed to mounting two exhibitions each year. After the extraordinary year of 2020, Frome Art Society returned to the Round Tower in August 2021 with it’s successful ‘In Company’ exhibition. Now they are delighted to showcase a selection of the society’s prize winners. This exhibition takes place in the shop.

The society was originally conceived and formed by Charles and Vera Appleyard and Charles Hopkins in 1979. The explicit aims were to provide:

• exhibition opportunities for local artists
• opportunities for members to meet regularly through social functions, lectures and demonstrations

Charles Appleyard was the Society’s first Chairman of 25 members. Their first exhibition was held in the house of Mrs Marion Williams. From these humble beginnings, Frome Art Society has grown into a thriving society, with a current membership of over 150. It remains a welcoming, supportive and inclusive group, with members of all abilities, both amateur and professional.

A Frome Art Society membership will cost you just £15 a year, contact them by email fromeartsociety@gmail.com to find out more.