We invite you to explore the world of art and design. 

What's special about the Arts Society? Well, it's a national charity which sees the arts as important in enriching our lives. It does this through its hundreds of local groups in the UK and internationally, including our society which meets at Highnam Community Centre. It offers a friendly place to find out about the arts through a diverse range of high-quality live presentations by professional lecturers and meet others who share your interest. 

Our society which meets on the second Thursday afternoon of the month, is typical in the way it operates. Providing a series of monthly lectures. Subjects range widely. In the last year, subjects included Faberge in the Ukraine, Children's Book Illustrations, The Art of Salvador Dali and Joseph Wright of Derby - Painter of the Industrial Revolution.  Click here to see upcoming lecture details.

In February 2026 we will hold another of our popular study days open to members and guests, King Charles III, His Forebears and Their Artistic TastesWith Barbara AskewThursday 12 February 2026

In this Study Day we examine the artistic tastes and art collections of three kings, King Charles I, King Charles II and King Charles III.

Without King Charles I’s passion for collecting, we would not have the Royal Collection, the largest privately-owned art collection in the world: without King Charles II we would have lost the magnificent collection his father had amassed, and King Charles III is the owner of the Royal Collection today.

Arts Society lecturers have a wide range of backgrounds. There is an intense selection process where prospective speakers must demonstrate their knowledge and presentational skills. They may be designers, architects, musicians, archaeologists - yes, and even painters! They will all be experts in their field often published authors, such as the award-winning historical novelist Sarah Dunant talking about the Borgias, or tv presenters.  

We also organise group visits to local places of interest. In 2025 there will be vists to Rodmarton Manor a unique Arts and Crafts Manor House and The Bugatti Trust is an independent Charitable Trust whose objectives are to preserve and make available for study the works of Ettore Bugatti.

 Learn more at www.theartssocietywestglos.org.uk.  Guests are always welcome at our lectures; you can simply come along on the day at 2pm.              

 We are pleased to announce our society is now a registered charity. Registered Charity No. (England and Wales) 1203052. 

We have a written constitution