Miniature Art Societies around the World

UNITED KINGDOM

HILLIARD SOCIETY OF MINIATURISTS

President: Paddy Davison PHS MRCVS
Vice President: Heather O. Catchpole VP HSF RMS
Secretary: Heather Webb
The Hilliard Society
Priory Lodge
7, Priory Road
Wells, Somerset BA5 1SR, UK
Tel/fax: +44 1749 674472
e-mail:hilliardsociety@aol.com

Formed in 1981 the Hilliard Society has about 300 members drawn from all over Britain and around the world and is open to anyone, artist or not, who has an interest in miniature painting. The Society holds an annual exhibition of members work in Wells, Somerset each summer.

ROYAL SOCIETY OF MINIATURE PAINTERS, SCULPTORS AND GRAVERS

Founded 1896. Patron: Her Majesty the Queen
Enquiries and commissions to: Phyllis Rennell: 3 Briar Walk, Putney , London SW15 6UD
Tel: +44 208 785 2338; e-mail: info@royal-miniature-society.org.uk

The Society's aims are to esteem, protect and practise the traditional art of miniature painting with the infinite patience needed for its fine techniques. Associate membership is open, on acceptance of five works, subject to election by the Selection Committee; Membership after three years, on acceptance of six works in the last year and subject to election.
Subscriptions are £80 and £90 respectively.

The RMS holds an annual exhibition in November at the Westminster Gallery, London.

SOCIETY OF LIMNERS

Contact: Society Administrator: Richard East BA FCIS
16 Tudor Close, Hove, East Sussex
BN3 7NR
Tel: +44 (0)1273 770628
E-mail: rgeast.limners@ntlworld.com

The Society of Limners was founded in 1986 by Elizabeth Davys Wood MBE. Its aim is to promote the practice of miniature and silhouette painting among artists and students and to further the appreciation of this age-old British art form. The Society now has a membership of c150 and holds an annual exhibition, usually in early summer, in Chichester, West Sussex.

An annual seminar is held at Earnley Concourse near Chichester, at which demonstrations are given on various aspects of the art. Delegates have the opportunity to meet socially to exchange ideas and increase their expertise.

Artists interested in joining the Limners can apply to the Membership Secretary, Beryl Hall, at 16 Cob Walk, Gossops Green, Crawley, West Sussex, RH11 8DZ, UK.

The TURNER SCHOOL OF MINIATURE PAINTING

The Turner School of Miniature Painting was founded in 1999 to sustain the promotion of original contemporary fine art miniature painting, and to ensure that the importance of maintaining the highest standards within the field of original fine art miniature painting continues to be upheld into the twentyfirst century.

The school is open and free to those interested in creating, promoting or supporting original fine art miniature painting.

WORLD FEDERATION OF MINIATURISTS

Contact: President, WFM Joan Kelly
PO Box 1027, Burnie, Tasmania 7320, Australia
E-mail: president@worldfm.org

The World Federation of Miniaturists bonds together all miniaturists worldwide through both individual membership and membership in miniature art organisations in many different countries. Our mission is to enhance global understanding and knowledge of fine art in small scale.

WFM brought dreams into reality in November 1995 when world miniaturists met in London and took the formal steps to fulfill long held hopes for an international organization. The late Jane Blake RMS, MAA, a key proponent of the idea prior to her death in 1993, sparked the establishment of an interim committee within miniature Artists of America to study the matter and develop an organizational plan. The London gathering, held in conjunction with the First World Exhibition of Miniature Art, sponsored by Suzanne Lucas and the Royal Miniature Society, provided the ideal forum for approving and unveiling the new organization on November 10, 1995.

Management of WFM affairs rotates among member societies. The Miniature Art Society of Florida, through its then President Denver Boyers, offered to assume the role of manager for the first rotation. The Hilliard Society, with Sue Burton as President took over management from 2000.

WFM assumed its first important role on the world stage by playing an active part in organizing support for "Small Pictures - Great Harmony", sponsored by Japanese officials in conjunction with the 1998 Winter Olympics. WFM alerted its membership immediately and, although faced with a looming deadline, the response was most gratifying. Japanese officials reported over 1800 works received including 271 overseas artists from 32 countries.

The Second World Exhibition of Miniature Art was held in September 2000, hosted by Bernadette Connor and the Australian Society of Miniature Art - Tasmania.

The Third World Exhibition was held at the Smithsonian in Washington from Sunday 20th June to Monday 12th July 2004.

The Fourth World Exhibition will be held in Burnie, Tasmania in 2008 While all miniaturists are embraced into WFM through their individual society membership, all artists and friends are encouraged to also become individual Artist and Friend Members.

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