A Century of Art in Poole - meet the Poole and East Dorset Art Society
Founded in 1924
Poole & East Dorset Art Society is a long established and very active local art society. We were founded over a hundred years ago in 1924 with artistic luminaries such as Augustus John and Henry Lamb amongst our founding members.
Augustus John settled in Dorset in 1910 enjoying the bohemian lifestyle in Alderney Manor, on Ringwood Road, Parkstone with his wife and several children.
He proceeded to turn the place into a romantic commune, inviting other artists to come and stay including Henry Lamb, the Bloomsbury group and the Spencers. They came and camped in the colourful gypsy caravans that dotted the 60 acre heath that in those days surrounded the manor.Â
Augustus John would paint small, but colourful panels in response to the landscape, including Canford Heath, which he entered in the first PEDAS exhibition.
Poole and East Dorset Art Society - today
Today, we are a thriving and more inclusive society with a membership of around 100, welcoming artists in all media and of all abilities. We meet throughout term time on a Wednesday afternoon for a range of artistic activities. We also meet on the first Sunday of every month and we paint outdoors ‘en plein air’ at various venues throughout the summer months. We also organise trips to London exhibitions.
PEDAS is now a Charitable Incorporated Organisation for more information see our website.Â
The Gallery Upstairs, Upton Country Park
PEDAS also manages the delightful community art gallery in Upton Country Park, ‘The Gallery Upstairs’. This hosts a wide variety of exhibitions by amateur groups and individuals throughout the year and is the only community art gallery in the area. Anyone interested on hiring the gallery is invited to make contact. Details are on our Gallery Website.
Autumn Exhibition: ‘OTHER DISTRACTIONS’ will be held from the 16th October 2026 – Find out more details at Love It Local EventsÂ
