The Trust was set up in the late 1950’s by the educationalist and creative entrepreneur Henry Morris. From his passion and love for the arts, came the start of creative careers for over 200 artists who have had fellowships with the Trust since 1957.

Henry Morris also at the time had good relations with the artist Henry Moore, who played an important role at the early stages of the Trust, offering advice and support for the then next generation of sculptors.

Originally the artists lived and worked at Digswell House (a grade II listed building), in Welwyn Garden City, making good use of the space, which also housed their families. At the beginning of the 1980’s the artist’s had to leave the house after the New Towns Commission realised the value of the house and land and it was sold off for refurbishment as apartments..

For some of the artists this gave them the opportunity to work in a studio setting in the old Attimore Hall Barn (another listed building) also in Welwyn Garden City and later the Trust were able to negotiate another building in 1993 at Fairlands Valley Farmhouse from Stevenage Borough Council.

The Trust left the Attimore Hall Barn in 2006 but successfully moved into purpose built studios in the village of Digswell, generously provided by English Partnerships

Many now distinguished artists started their careers with Digswell Arts Trust such as:  the late Michael Andrews RA, John Brunsdon, Hans Coper, Peter Collingwood, Elizabeth Fritsch, John Mills, Astrid  Zydower, Mike Davis, Ralph Brown RA. John Wragg RA

The touring exhibition gives local people the opportunity to view some of the Trust’s archive and artists work that has been and is being shown at various venues within Hertfordshire...

The exhibition will be open 10am-5pm Monday to Friday; 10am-4pm Saturday

and during Rhodes Arts Complex Events

FREE ENTRY