The Arts Society, formerly called the National Association of Decorative and Fine Arts Societies (NADFAS),  was founded in 1968 with 11 societies around the UK.

Four years later - fifty years ago - the South West London group (The Arts Society South West London), a member society of The Arts Society, was formed by our current President, Lady White. It now has some 300 members drawn from Putney, Barnes, Sheen, Roehampton and surrounding areas. In 2021 the Arts Society South West London became a registered charity (Charity no. 1195700)

We now meet in the evenings at The Community Church in Werter Road, Putney, on the second Monday of each month, apart from those in April and August. The evening is based around an illustrated lectures taken from a wide range of topics relating to the decorative and fine arts. Currently we use a hybrid format for lectures so that members can choose whether to attend in person or to watch on Zoom.

In addition, our two study half-days provide the opportunity for more in depth presentations and our visits programme includes trips to museums, houses and places of historic or artistic interest. 

You can read more about our activities on the Lectures and Visits pages.

We are one of twenty societies which belong to the Greater London Area of The Arts Society. For information about The Arts Society Greater London Area Study Courses click here

Members may be interested in the lectures offered by our neighbouring societies, The Arts Society Wimbledon, The Arts Society Chiswick and The Arts Society Richmond. Members attending any of those lectures would have to pay their guest fee.