One of London’s most storied institutions, The Chelsea Arts Club has, for over a century, served as a social hub and sanctuary for creatives in the capital. Since its conception in 1891 through to the present day, it has gathered painters, musicians, writers, and filmmakers. Whilst the majority of what has taken place inside has remained within the mural-adorned facade, that which has trickled out has intrigued the public for centuries. We journey through to uncover the history behind one of the world’s most famous and defining member’s clubs.
Foundation of the Chelsea Arts Club
The Chelsea Arts Club was founded in 1890 by a group of artists. It was instigated by painter, printmaker and designer James Abbott McNeill Whistler. He felt the community needed a more bohemian alternative to the Arts Club in Mayfair. It was initially based at a studio on 181 King’s Road, before being transferred to a house on Old Church Street where it remains today.
The Chelsea Arts Club Balls
The Chelsea Arts Balls have run for over 100 years, rooted back to the fancy dress parties of the 19th century. They were first held in Vestry Hall on King’s Road, but quickly grew in scope and ambition so that subsequent New Years Eve and Mardi Gras balls were held at the Royal Albert Hall. Hailed as the most famous fancy dress parties in the world, the legend is they were wildly extravagant affairs, with hundreds and thousands of performers and dancers, lavish decorations and exotic themes like ‘Noah’s Ark’, ‘Sun Worship’, or ‘The Naked Truth’. Revellers would dance into the early hours, until breakfast was served at 5 am to mark the end of the festivities. Today the party is held within the Club’s own four walls and is still one of the highlights of the year.
During the war
The Chelsea Arts Club contributed to the war effort by enlisting members into the Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC) and by forming a Home Front Defence battalion called the United Arts Force. The Chelsea Arts Club Ball also acted as a fundraiser, and members became official war artists; designing recruitment posters, and participating in camouflage efforts. For example, Cecil King helped Norman Wilkinson with Dazzle camouflage; Derwent Wood used his sculptural skills to manufacture facial prosthetics for wounded servicemen; and Will Dyson and Alfred Munnings worked as war artists at the Front.
