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Alterations to the Lady Artists' Club

M288 Alterations to the Lady Artists' Club

Address: 5, Blythswood Square, Glasgow G2 4AD
Date: 1908
Client: Lady Artists Club
Authorship: Authorship category 1 (Mackintosh) (Mackintosh)

Colour photograph of telephone booth

1882
The Glasgow Society of Lady Artists is founded by eight former students of the Glasgow School of Art. 1
1893
The Glasgow Society of Lady Artists' Club is established at 5 Blythswood Square. The premises are rented by the Society. 2
1896–7
Picture gallery and committee rooms designed by Fred Rowntree and Malcolm Stark with George Walton. 3
1901
27 May: Fire destroys the Club including exhibits in the gallery. Among the works lost were two watercolours by Margaret Macdonald. Macdonald was not a Society member and this was the only Society exhibition in which she participated. 4
1902
25 October: Reopening after reconstruction by George Walton. 5
1907
2 December: Decoration Committee appointed to advise on the redecoration of the club house. 6
1908
7 April: Decoration Committee submits proposal for redecoration of entrance hall and staircase to the Club Council. It is proposed that an architect should lead the work. Mackintosh is recommended, 'as being practically the only person in Glasgow capable of doing so in the manner proposed'. 7
26 May: Mackintosh's plans are considered and approved by the Club Council, but with objections to the design of the proposed front door and vestibule. A further sub-committee is elected to supervise the redecoration. 8
8 September: Club Council minutes report that all redecoration has been carried out during the summer months, without reference to the decoration sub-committee and despite a final decision on the front door and vestibule not having been reached at the last Council meeting. 9
3 November: Mackintosh's account received. Considered excessive by Club Council. Mrs Macaulay Stevenson, chairwoman of the decoration sub-committee, resigns from the Club. 10
1909
2 February: No reply from Mackintosh forthcoming. Request for payment from painting contractor, William Douglas, considered and approved. 11
2 March: Still no reply from Mackintosh. Further letter to be written to him. 12
6 April: Reply from Mackintosh finally received with a statement about the accounts. The Club Council agreed to pay what was owed 'as evidently nothing further could be done in the matter'. 13
1967
22 August: Opening of the Arts Council Gallery in the Club, a measure aimed tat improving the difficult financial position of the Club and attracting new members. 14
1970
November: The Glasgow Lady Artists' Club financial deficit for the following year is deemed insurmountable and the Society is dissolved at an Extraordinary General Meeting. 15
1971
30 November: 5 Blythswood Square is sold to the Scottish Arts Council. 16
1975
The Glasgow Society of Lady Artists is re-formed as the Glasgow Society of Women Artists. 17
1976
Internal alterations for First Fortune Holdings. 18
1980–95
Various internal alterations for Building Design Partnership. 19
2004
Extensive refurbishment by Mackintosh House Ltd. 20

Notes:

1: Glasgow Society of Women Artists, A Centenary Exhibition to celebrate the founding of the Glasgow Society of Lady Artists in 1882, exhib. cat., Collins Gallery, Glasgow, 8–30 September 1982, p. 5.

2: Glasgow Society of Women Artists, A Centenary Exhibition to celebrate the founding of the Glasgow Society of Lady Artists in 1882, exhib. cat., Collins Gallery, Glasgow, 8–30 September 1982, pp. 6–7.

3: Glasgow City Archives Collection: Dean of Guild Court plans, B4/12/1896/1/4463.

4: Glasgow Society of Women Artists, A Centenary Exhibition to celebrate the founding of the Glasgow Society of Lady Artists in 1882, exhib. cat., Collins Gallery, Glasgow, 8–30 September 1982, pp. 8, 35; Pamela Reekie, Margaret Macdonald Mackintosh, exhibition catalogue, Glasgow: Hunterian Art Gallery, 1983 (xvi) and (xviii).

5: Glasgow Society of Women Artists, A Centenary Exhibition to celebrate the founding of the Glasgow Society of Lady Artists in 1882, exhib. cat., Collins Gallery, Glasgow, 8–30 September 1982, p. 8.

6: Glasgow, Mitchell Library (Glasgow Collection): The Glasgow Lady Artists' Club minutes, 891004/1, 2 December 1907.

7: Glasgow, Mitchell Library (Glasgow Collection): The Glasgow Lady Artists' Club minutes, 891004/1, 7 April 1908.

8: Glasgow, Mitchell Library (Glasgow Collection): The Glasgow Lady Artists' Club minutes, 891004/1, 26 May 1908.

9: Glasgow, Mitchell Library (Glasgow Collection): The Glasgow Lady Artists' Club minutes, 891004/1, 8 September 1908.

10: Glasgow, Mitchell Library (Glasgow Collection): The Glasgow Lady Artists' Club minutes, 891004/1, 3 November 1908. A petition demanding the reinstatement of Mrs Macaulay Stevenson was submitted to the Club Council. The petitioners were informed that this could only occur by ballot following re-election. This took place in 1909. Glasgow Society of Women Artists, A Centenary Exhibition to celebrate the founding of the Glasgow Society of Lady Artists in 1882, exhib. cat., Collins Gallery, Glasgow, 8–30 September 1982, p. 10.

11: Glasgow, Mitchell Library (Glasgow Collection): The Glasgow Lady Artists' Club minutes, 891004/1, 2 February 1909.

12: Glasgow, Mitchell Library (Glasgow Collection): The Glasgow Lady Artists' Club minutes, 891004/1, 2 March 1909.

13: Glasgow, Mitchell Library (Glasgow Collection): The Glasgow Lady Artists' Club minutes, 891004/1, 6 April 1909.

14: Glasgow Society of Women Artists, A Centenary Exhibition to celebrate the founding of the Glasgow Society of Lady Artists in 1882, exhib. cat., Collins Gallery, Glasgow, 8–30 September 1982, p. 13.

15: Glasgow Society of Women Artists, A Centenary Exhibition to celebrate the founding of the Glasgow Society of Lady Artists in 1882, exhib. cat., Collins Gallery, Glasgow, 8–30 September 1982, p. 13.

16: Glasgow Society of Women Artists, A Centenary Exhibition to celebrate the founding of the Glasgow Society of Lady Artists in 1882, exhib. cat., Collins Gallery, Glasgow, 8–30 September 1982, p. 13.

17: Glasgow Society of Women Artists, A Centenary Exhibition to celebrate the founding of the Glasgow Society of Lady Artists in 1882, exhib. cat., Collins Gallery, Glasgow, 8–30 September 1982, p. 14.

18: Glasgow City Archives Collection: Glasgow District Council building control warrant plans, GDC12/3/1976/395.

19: Glasgow City Archives Collection: Glasgow District Council building control warrant plans, GDC12/3/1980/341; GDC12/3/1981/1245; GCC16/3/21/95/0772.

20: Information supplied by current owners during visit on 28 October 2010.