The Rye Art Gallery Trust was founded in 1957 by artist Mary Stormont (1871 - 1962; nee Mary Sapsworth), who eloped to Rye with fellow artist Howard Stormont (1859 - 1935) in 1898. They married in St Mary's Church, Rye, and lived in Ypres Studio, Ockman Lane.

Howard's abilities lay in landscape painting, while Mary painted landscapes and interiors, and was especially sought after for her flower paintings. They exhibited all their lives, showing regularly at the Royal Academy of Arts, and at art societies and galleries in London and across the Country.

After Howard's death in 1935, Mary continued to live at Ypres Studio, with its inspiring views across the marshes to the sea.

Probably inspired by their involvement with the Rye Art Club in the 1920s (Both were founder members under the patronage of Henry James, who provided one of his properties in Watchbell Street for exhibitions), at the end of her life Mary set up a Trust the leave the Studio, art works and funds for the formation of what is now Rye Art Gallery.

The 1962 bequest, of some 100 works, forms the core of what is now, with additions from bequests, donations and purchases (with funds from the Victoria & Albert Museum, the Contemporary Art Society and Friends of Rye Art Gallery) the Rye Art Gallery Collection of over 460 works.

It is of interest to note that Mary had a sister, Katharine who was engaged (to John Maltwood) and married at the same time in 1901. The Maltwoods emigrated to Canada in 1938 and later founded the "Maltwood Art Museum" on Vancouver Island.

http://uvac.uvic.ca/Locations/maltwood.html

http://www.maltwood.uvic.ca/k_maltwood/maltwoods/index.html

Please note that Rye Art Gallery, Rye Art, RAG, Easton Rooms and Stormont Studio are all registered titles and used by Rye Art Gallery Trust.

http://www.ipo.gov.uk/t-find-number?detailsrequested=C&trademark=2522332

Details of the organisation and policies of the Trust are in the sub-section
"The Trust and RAG Policies" on the left. By scrolling down you will also find additional links to material including two videos: a "fly through" video of the gallery and a video made by the MLA about a recent Business Development Study.