Welcome to The Arts Society Oakham

Oakham is the county town of Rutland.  The name is Saxon and the mediaeval history of this market town is recalled by its street names, Buttercross and the banqueting hall of the 12th century Norman castle. The hall contains a collection of decorative horseshoes given to successive lords of the manor by monarchs and peers on their first visit.

The Arts Society (formerly the National Association of Decorative and Fine Arts Societies (NADFAS)) is an arts-based charity founded in 1968 by Patricia Fay.  NADFAS became The Arts Society in May 2017.The Arts Society Oakham is one of hundreds of local societies, and is well placed to support the aims of the Arts Society.

Historic architecture, art galleries, schools, and museums in the town and surrounding area provide both stimulus and opportunity for further study. We hope that members past, present and future will find interest and information in these pages, and contact members of the committee for further details if required.

“Oh! Catmus thou fair vale, come on in grass and corn! That Beaver ne’er be said thy sisterhood to scorn, And let thy Ockham boast to have no little grace, That her the blessed Fates did in thy bosom place!” Michael Drayton (1563 – 1631): PolyolbionOakham was already old when Drayton wrote these words but his “grass and corn” still predominate in the surrounding countryside, and are reflected in the green and gold of the coats of arms of Rutland and this, its county town.