Who we are
The Archibald Knox Society (‘Society’) was founded in 2006 by a group of Knox enthusiasts including the late Norman Sayle R.I. T.H., first patron of the Society. The Society has a membership of 165 throughout the British Isles and a growing interest in the USA. Common to our members is an appreciation of the work of Archibald Knox and a desire to promote his legacy throughout the world.
Archibald Knox (1864-1933) was born in the Isle of Man of Scottish parenthood. His designs are synonymous with British Art Nouveau and he is regarded as being a prominent influence on the Arts and Crafts Movement. His Celtic designs and calligraphy are world famous and iconic in the Isle of Man. Today, both his metalwork and jewellery for Liberty & Co as well as his watercolours are highly sought after through major auction houses.
To find out more about Archibald Knox please visit our website www.archibaldknoxsociety.com
Our aims and objectives
The aim of the Society is to promote the legacy of Archibald Knox both nationally and internationally, thus furthering the artistic and cultural identity of the Isle of Man and attributing to Knox his rightful place in the history of the decorative arts as one of the foremost artists/designers of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The objective of the society is fundamentally educational.
The work we do
Our members are kept up to date through newsletters detailing auction news, research and events.
The Society produces an academic journal once a year relating to Knox and his contemporaries. Vol. 2 (April 09) will have several articles by American authors on the pottery and jewellery of Archibald Knox.
We organise lectures on the Knox legacy to various charities and groups.
We organise art exhibitions relating to Knox’s work on the Isle of Man such as the recent Knox watercolour exhibition at the Sayle Gallery. We are planning future exhibitions abroad.
We organise art prizes at the Isle of Man College (The Norman Sayle Prize for Art and Design) sponsored by the Manx Post Office.
We have awarded the first Archibald Knox prize for Art and Design at Ballakermeen High School this year (2008). This prize and others will be awarded to senior students in all our secondary schools on an annual basis from next year.
We are actively seeking funds for the first Archibald Knox Scholarship for Art and Design to be awarded for excellence in art and design.
We organise tours to European cities connected with Art Nouveau and the Arts and Crafts Movement for our Society members and network with other similar societies such as the Charles Rennie Mackintosh Society in Scotland.
We organise special tailor made tours for groups and individuals to the Isle of Man, who have an interest in Knox and his contemporaries such as the Arts and Crafts architect/designer Baillie Scott, Armitage Rigby and Harry Clarke.
We maintain an excellent website that gives Knox a window on the world. The website has approximately 3000 visitors per month www.archibaldknoxsociety.com
Like Knox, we wish to promote the Isle of Man as an ‘Island for an Art Lover’.
How you can help us accomplish our mission
Become a member of the Society. Please telephone 00 44 1624 695150 (mornings only) or email aksociety@manx.net
By kindly making a donation to our Society.
