Guild of Aviation Artists

The Guild of Aviation Artists is an organization for people interested in aviation art. Its members include professional artists, amateur painters and aviation enthusiasts who enjoy aircraft and artwork. The Guild held its first exhibition at the Royal Aeronautical Society in 1971. Today, it has around 250 members and supports aviation painting through exhibitions, regional activities and opportunities for artists to meet and work together.

Aviation Paintings and Exhibitions

The Guild provides a place for artists to present work connected to aviation.

Its exhibitions bring together paintings by different artists, giving visitors a chance to see a range of aviation artwork.

Exhibition information on the Guild's website includes collections featuring 163 paintings by 52 artists and 229 paintings by 79 artists.

The website also allows visitors to explore exhibitions from previous years.

These collections give aviation enthusiasts a way to view aircraft through the work of different painters.

Some visitors may be interested in particular aircraft subjects, while others may enjoy seeing how artists approach aviation through painting.

The Guild also provides information about artwork created by its members.

Professional and Amateur Aviation Artists

The Guild has around 250 members, including both professional and amateur artists.

Its membership is not limited to people who paint or draw.

People who enjoy aviation and art can also join as Friends, with this form of membership open to all age groups.

This allows aviation enthusiasts to take part in the organization even if they do not produce artwork themselves.

The Guild has included artists such as Roy Cross, Terence Cuneo, Kenneth McDonough, Roy Nockolds, Keith Shackleton, David Shepherd and Frank Wootton.

These names form part of the Guild's history and its connection with aviation art.

Painting and Sketching at Airfields

The Guild has developed regional groups that arrange activities for members.

These include painting and sketching days at airfields and museums.

Such activities allow artists to spend time together while working on aviation subjects.

They also provide a setting where members can exchange ideas and learn from one another.

For people who enjoy both aircraft and drawing, these gatherings combine an interest in aviation with the practice of making art.

The Guild encourages a friendly atmosphere at these events.

The Guild's History and Artwork

The Guild held its first exhibition in 1971 and has continued developing its membership and activities.

Michael Turner served as President from 1988 until 2024. Chris French was then elected President.

The Guild is registered as a Friendly Society under number 188SA.

Visitors can explore artwork by Guild members and ask an artist to create a commissioned piece.

For pilots and aviation enthusiasts, the Guild provides a connection between aircraft and visual art. Its exhibitions, paintings and member activities appeal to people who enjoy seeing aviation subjects interpreted by artists.