Lars Tharp
LSA President from 2015
Lars is a passionate ambassador for art in all its forms and has served on the jury of the annual Art Fund Prize (2009 and 2010), the UK’s most prestigious Museums and Galleries award.
Born in Copenhagen, Lars was educated in Leicester and Cambridge. He lectures and guides throughout the world on subjects ranging from Ceramic History to the world of William Hogarth. His Global Arts Communications business advises on the acquisition, care and disposal of artworks, notably including the successful private sale of China’s hitherto most expensive vase. As curator he has devised and overseen exhibitions in UK museums including in his own Foundling Museum (London) where, until 2010, he was Director.
Lars is a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London and he sits on the Court of London’s oldest Guild, the Worshipful Company of Weavers. His many TV and radio credits include the BBC’s Antiques Roadshow (1986 to present) and his documentary Treasures of Chinese Porcelain continues to be screened throughout the world.
Douglas H Smith
LSA President 1987-2005
Architect, Artist and author of eight books on architecture, design, paintings and sketches. He held an unprecedented term of office as President of the Leicester Society of Artists for 27 years.
He founded and directed Douglas Smith Stimson Partnership Limited (DSSP) that was based in Leicester, a multi disciplinary practice of architects, landscape architects and interior designers.
Douglas now concentrates on painting and sketching. His watercolours are in collections of Europe, America and Canada. His original 34 watercolours and 30 drawings, produced for his book 'Iconic Modern Architecture' have become part of the RIBA Drawing Collection held by the Victoria & Albert Museum London.
Bryan Organ
LSA President 1982-1986
Eminent portrait painter, recent work includes the portrait of Sir David Attenborough, his portfolio includes prime ministers, royal family, well known people such as Mary Quant, Elton John and many public and private commissions
Bryan Organ is now Patron of Leicester Society of Artists
LSA Presidents from 1906 to present day
2015 – present: Lars Tharp, FSA
1987 – 2015 Douglas H Smith, Dip Arch FRIBA, FLI, FRSA
1982 – 1986 Bryan Organ
1977 – 1981 Guy Dixon JP
1971 – 1976 Denis Rice
1969 – 1970 Professor Jack Simmons
1967 – 1968 Konrad Smigielski
1965 – 1966 S J Pick
1963 – 1964 Stewart Mason
1958 – 1962 Guy Dixon JP
1956 – 1957 Alderman C R Keene CB JP
1953 – 1955 T G Hirst
1951 – 1952 Colin D B Ellis MC
1949 – 1950 Alderman W H Smith JP
1945 – 1948 H Percy Gee
1944 – 1945 A H Swain
1942 – 1944 Arnold Viccars
1940 – 1942 Harry Morley RA
1934 – 1940 The Duke of Rutland
1931 – 1934 Sir Arthur (Lord) Hazlerigg
1926 – 1930 George E Green
1920 – 1925 Sir Jonathan North
1913 – 1919 Sydney Gimson
1911 – 1912 George Chitham
1909 – 1910 A Corah
1907 – 1908 A H Paget
1900 – 1906 E Clephan
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