The Ferntree Gully Arts Society had its beginnings in 1944 with a letter sent by local potter, Allan Lowe, to the Secretary of the Ferntree Gully Shire, suggesting that an Art Exhibition be held to “develop the cultural and appreciative level of our residents and (the money raised) donated to the Red Cross to aid fighting men”.

From a successful exhibition, including works on loan by such luminaries of Australian art as Arthur Streeton, Louis Buvelot, Phillips Fox, Tom Roberts, Charles Conder, Julian Ashton, William Ricketts, Merric Boyd and Albert Namatjira as well as works by local lesser known artists, the germ of a society was formed, the result of which is still going strong today.

Established in 1951, the Tuesday night Sketch Club was a staple on the society’s calendar. Finding somewhere for artists to draw from life for a very reasonable fee was not an easy task in the fifties and many came from “town” on the train to the little Hut in the hills. Over the years artists such as Fred Williams, Noel Counihan, Ray Crooke and Arnold Shore attended the Sketch Club.

The Hut has also been home to The Hut Players Repertory Group (now the 1812 Theatre in Upper Ferntree Gully) a music society, a film society (now the Ferntree Gully Film Society) a poetry group and a potters group.

Through our many workshops, social activities, exhibitions and classes we foster a culturally active community. Going forward, the FTG Arts Society continues to provide a warm and welcoming environment for artists of all abilities and ages.