Few local art organisations embody the spirit of community and artistic practice quite like the Blackheath Art Society. Founded in 1947 in the years following the Second World War, the Society has grown from a small collective of local artists into one of south east London’s most respected exhibiting organisations.
The Society brings together painters, printmakers, ceramicists, sculptors and mixed media artists from the neighbouring boroughs of Greenwich and Lewisham. While members work across a remarkable variety of styles from traditional landscape and portraiture to contemporary abstraction the Society is united by a shared commitment to artistic excellence, mutual support and public engagement through the summer and winter exhibitions that are held in the area.
Membership offers far more than exhibition opportunities. It creates an environment in which artists can exchange ideas, develop new techniques, and receive constructive criticism through meetings such as the weekly plein air get togethers and sketching sessions.
The Society’s regular exhibitions have become highlights of the societys calendar. These shows introduce visitors to the breadth of artistic talent working across south east London while reinforcing Blackheath’s long standing reputation as a centre of creativity. Visitors encounter everything from expressive contemporary painting and drawing to ceramics, printmaking and experimental mixed media, reflecting the diversity of today’s visual arts. This years summer exhibition entitled 'Light' is hosted by Blackheaths popular Gallery White Box who are situated in Hare and Billet road and finishes 26th July 2026.
The surrounding area has long attracted artists. Blackheath’s distinctive heathland, Georgian architecture, village atmosphere and proximity to Greenwich have inspired generations of painters and makers. The Society both celebrates and extends this artistic heritage, ensuring that creativity remains a living part of the area’s identity rather than simply its history.
The Society continues to evolve, it welcomes artists working in contemporary media and encourages experimentation while maintaining the high standards established over many decades. Today the Society represents a vibrant cross section of south London’s artistic community, demonstrating that local art societies remain vital spaces where creativity, craftsmanship and community intersect.
In an increasingly digital and online world, organisations such as the Blackheath Art Society remind us of the enduring value of meeting in person, exhibiting original work, and fostering meaningful connections between artists and audiences. Nearly eighty years after its founding, the Society continues to prove that art is not only something to be admired, but something best nurtured together.
Read more about the history of the Society here
2026 summer exhibition images courtesy of Kathleen Taylor and the Society
Join the Society here
