Interview: Neil Pittaway on 140 Years of the NEAC

To mark the NEAC's 140th Anniversary, we sat down for an interview with NEAC Archivist Neil Pittaway to discuss the New English Art Club's past, present and future.

Welcome, Neil! As a member of the NEAC, how would you introduce the New English Art Club to newcomers?

The New English Art Club is one of Britain’s most respected artist-led societies, with a highly sought-after membership of around 89 artists. What makes the NEAC remarkable is that, while it has a rich history dating back to 1886 and helped introduce French Impressionism to Britain (through direct links between the early formation of the Club and the French Impressionist artist Claude Monet and others), it has never stood still.

At its heart, the Club is about artists who are deeply committed to observation, drawing, painting, and printmaking — but who each bring an entirely individual way of seeing the world. These values are actively and continuously being promoted through the Club's varied education and exhibition programmes which support and encourage artists at whatever stage of their artistic journey or career. There is no single “NEAC style”; instead, there is a shared passion and belief in artisanship, curiosity, and the continual search for fresh ways of looking at contemporary life and bringing this to the attention of a wider audience.

For newcomers, the NEAC offers a rare combination of artistic excellence, heritage, and vitality: a community of practising artists who continue to push figurative and observational art forward while remaining connected to the discipline and traditions that first defined the Club nearly 140 years ago. 

As an independent charity, the New English Art Club receives no government funding or support. We extend our heartfelt thanks to our Patron, HM King Charles III and to all our benefactors, supporters, and friends during our 140th Anniversary year.

How is the NEAC celebrating its 140th Anniversary in 2026?

We are marking our 140th Anniversary year with a series of memorable events, which began with the members’ exhibition at the Russell Gallery, London in March. The highlight of our calendar arrives in June with the celebrated NEAC Annual Exhibition at Mall Galleries. Since its foundation in 1886, this cornerstone event has showcased renowned artists such as Claude Monet, Walter Sickert, Lucien Pissarro, James Abbott McNeill Whistler, Winifred Nicholson, Gwen John, Aubrey Beardsley, Stanley Spencer, and John Singer Sargent (to name but a few)—establishing a rich legacy that continues to inspire the contemporary art scene.

The NEAC Annual Exhibition features hundreds of works, over 350 in 2025 and more than 400 planned for 2026. Each year, thousands of submissions are received, and selected public entries are exhibited alongside those by NEAC members. The exhibition includes the presentation of several prestigious awards, most notably the NEAC Climate Emergency Prize. Introduced in 2025, this prize recognises outstanding artistic responses to the climate crisis, offering £2,000 to the winner and £500 to the runner-up. Last year’s recipients were Nessie Ramm and Andrew Hardwick. This year, the competition will be judged by a distinguished panel: Ade Adesina RSA RE, Anne Desmet RA RE, Professor Chris Orr MBE RA Hon RE, Bob and Roberta Smith OBE RA, and Jessica Voorsanger.

Looking ahead, much of our Annual Exhibition will travel to Cornwall, opening at the St Ives Society of Artists Gallery later in the year. This continues our cherished connection with Cornwall and the Newlyn School, further strengthening our historical ties and expanding our reach. Additionally, the Chris Beetles Gallery in St James's, London, will mark our anniversary with a retrospective exhibition featuring works from past NEAC members.

How does the NEAC support artists beyond its Annual Exhibition?

The NEAC remains steadfast in its dedication to encouraging emerging talent. Our flagship scholarship programme, made possible by the generous support of Sir David and Lady Clementi, offers early-career artists crucial financial assistance, free workshops, guidance from experienced NEAC members, plus the chance to showcase their work in the annual exhibition. These opportunities reflect the NEAC’s long-standing commitment to cultivating creativity and empowering the next generation of artists.

In addition to our scholarship programme, we offer support to artists of all levels and abilities through our dedicated Education Programme, which includes specialised mentoring, small-group classes, workshops, demonstrations and talks. 

As NEAC Archivist, what are some key milestones in the story of the NEAC?

The NEAC was founded in 1886 – the very same year the Coca Cola company began – and quickly established itself as a cornerstone of modern British art. The Club’s inaugural exhibition featured around fifty artists, setting the stage for a vibrant artistic community that would profoundly influence British culture.

Pioneers such as Sir Walter Sickert, who exhibited over 130 paintings with the NEAC between 1888 and 1939, played a crucial role in shaping the Club’s direction. Celebrated figures like Claude Monet and Gwen John also showcased their work with the NEAC — Monet contributed to exhibitions in 1891, 1893, and the early 1900s.

Throughout its history, the NEAC has maintained dynamic ties with influential movements such as French Impressionism, Post-Impressionism, Cubism, and Fauvism. The NEAC fostered close relationships with the Camden Town, Newlyn, and Bloomsbury groups, sharing artists such as Frank Bramley, Stanhope Forbes, Henry Herbert La Thangue, Elizabeth Forbes, and Henry Scott Tuke. In fact, nearly every artist from the Camden Town Group (established in 1911) and many from the London Group (established in 1913) began their creative journeys with the NEAC. The NEAC’s strong association with the Royal Academy of Arts is evident, too, with notable figures like John Singer Sargent being members of both institutions.

Outside of London, the NEAC has held exhibitions in Bath from 1907 to 1947, reprising this tradition in 2023.

The Club’s reach extended internationally as well—Lucien Pissarro, son of Camille Pissarro, became a member in 1906, and later became a British citizen. In 1912, former NEAC member Paul César Helleu was commissioned to design the iconic ceiling of Grand Central Station in New York City.

Progressive milestones in membership include Ethel Walker becoming the first female member in 1900, followed by Winifred Nicholson in 1937. (The NEAC maintains a full list of past members on its website)

In 2010, the historical records of the NEAC were donated to the Tate Archive. The collection comprises Club catalogues, correspondence, accounts, minutes, membership lists, and press cuttings.

Another major milestone is celebrating our 140th Anniversary at the NEAC Annual Exhibition this June. We invite you to join us as we commemorate 140 years of artistic excellence and innovation!

Featured images (top to bottom):

NEAC Annual Exhibition 2025. Photo credit: Mark Sepple

The judging of the NEAC Climate Emergency Prize 2026 at Carlton House Terrace, London, with organiser Neil Pittaway NEAC RE RWS and judges Anne Desmet RA RE Hon RBA, Bob and Roberta Smith OBE RA, Chris Orr MBE RA Hon RE, Jessica Voorsanger and Ade Adesina RSA RE. Photo credit: Andrew Edgecumbe, Photography & Motion www.andrewedgecumbe.com

Neil Pittaway NEAC, The Chimes of Westminster