Karen Mailley

The Glasgow Society of Lady Artists (GSLA)

History of GSLA

The Glasgow Society of Lady Artists (GSLA) was established by eight students of The Glasgow School of Art in 1882. The club, with its pro-woman ethos, attempted to combat sexism and misogyny in the Scottish art world. However, it quickly developed into a club for forward-thinking women of Glasgow, and further afield, with a list of women from an array of professions and backgrounds including doctors and nurses, teachers, political activists and socialites.

GSLA owned a private club house from 1895 at 5 Blythswood Square until 1971 when, due to financial pressure, the building was purchased by the Scottish Arts Council causing the society to disband until the 1970s. From 1975, GSLA was rebranded as ‘The Glasgow Society of Women Artists’ which is still promoting women’s artwork today.

You can find an overview of GSLA members by clicking the button below.

GSLA Members

If you’d like to find out more about my research please give the Scottish Women Artists Instagram a follow! Click on the images below to find out more.

Super excited that @libbywalkerartist has made the final of Landscape Artist of the year! Happy St David’s Day to all who celebrate! Alma M Assafery (1887-1914) lived a short life but her presence can still be felt in Glasgow. In 1914 she was selected along with Archibald McGlashan, Tom Gentleman, Josephine Cameron, Helen Johnston & Robertson Weir. The panels depict Astronomy, Geography, Poetry, Commerce, Science and Art. The panels are still at the library and can be visited once lockdown/the library is open! Find out more check out George Dawson’s ‘The Flower & the Green Leaf’, pp.72-76. Mary Viola Paterson (1899-1989), aka ‘Vi’, was from a family of artists in Helensburgh. She studied at GSA & The Slade school before moving to Paris to undertake studies under Lucien Besnard and André Lhote. She remained in France until 1941 when she returned to Scotland. She exhibited at the RGI, RSA & R.A. and is best known for paintings, woodcuts and stained glass. The fab lobster pattern of the curtains depicted in ‘The Reader’ is from the artist’s own fabric design. Preparations for the ‘Inferno’ annual Xmas ball and masque at GSA, c.1930’s. Students are busy making decorations for the event in the Assembly Hall with Director W.O Hutchison (1889- 1970) on the left hand-side looking on. Looks like a blast! To find out more about Hutchison, or the GSA archive collection check out @gsaarchives! . Self portrait, Nan Muirhead Moffat. Edith L.S Black, born 17th November 1890, was the Copland & Lye Department Store’s fashion illustrator for over twenty-five years. Women’s Own Annual: Glasgow based women working in the Visual Arts, 1990, was written & edited by Adele Patrick, Kate Henderson, Sandra Saul, Lesley Gardiner and Rachael Harris. This was part of the Women in Profile project, which was the precursor to The Glasgow Women’s Library (GWL). @womenslibrary have a fine collection of objects, writings and other documents relating to Scotland’s histories. Plus they are very friendly and always have a cup of tea on the go! Find out more at www.womenslibrary.org.uk or via their Instagram @womenslibrary. Image courtesy of GWL. Joan O’Lodge, John Keppie scholarship winner for sculpture at Glasgow School of Art, 1929. If anyone knows anything more about her, please get in touch!