Gray's School of Art, Aberdeen

Foundation date: 16 November 1885

Active: 1885 -

Function: Art school

Rules: Three diploma courses provided; Drawing and Painting, Design and Sculpture. Courses extend over four years (two years of general training in the lower school and two years of specialised training in the upper school.

Disciplines separated into; Drawing and Painting, Design and Crafts, Sculpture and Architecture.

General classes (both day and evening) consisted of drawing from life and objects, design, lettering and illumination, leatherwork, modelling, modelling from life, embroidery, handloom weaving and metalwork and jewellery.

Technical classes (which lead to the City and Guilds of London Institute) consisted of; a course for Painters and Decorators, Course for monumental masons and stonecutters, course for cabinetmakers, course for upholsterers and a course for watch and clock-making.

Courses for architects, builders and plumbers were taught at the School of Architecture. Facilities also provided for the training of commercial art, this includes sculpture and modelling and woodcarving. Also training of specialist teachers of art.

Scholarships and Bursaries divided into four categories:

1) Travelling Scholarships (for a period from 6 to 9 months)

2) Local scholarships (Byrne Scholarship c.1924. As with the Travelling Scholarship, the Governors can retain one of more works made during tenure of the scholarships.

3) Financial Assistance from Education Authorities.(Bursaries etc.)

4)Prizes - bequests, legacies, offered to students of merit and who have completed the third stage of the Diploma course.

History or description: The School was founded by John Gray, Engineer, Aberdeen, and was formed as part of Robert Gordon's Technical College. For educational purposes is was recognised as a Central Art Institution. Under conditions approved by the Scottish Education Department, diplomas and certificates are awarded to students. [summarised from the 1951 prosepectus]

Activities: art classes, classes, classes in drawing, classes in landscape painting, classes in life drawing , classes in modeling, classes in modeling from the life, classes in painting, classes in painting from the life, classes in watercolour painting, classes in woodcarving, lectures, lectures on art

Publications: reports

Benefits: advice from fellow members, criticism of work by fellow members, eligible for awards, eligible for exhibition, grants and prizes, guaranteed inclusion in exhibitions, medals, participation in all events, prizes, use of library, use of studio, use of club premises, hardship fund

Composition: men and women members

Funding types: bequests, donations, fees

Employees, Students & Members

Numbers: 60
Period Start: 1885
Period End: 1886

Citing this record

'Gray\'s School of Art, Aberdeen', Mapping the Practice and Profession of Sculpture in Britain and Ireland 1851-1951, University of Glasgow History of Art and HATII, online database 2011 [http://sculpture.gla.ac.uk/view/organization.php?id=msib6_1211451311, accessed 30 May 2023]