The Cuneo society was founded in 2001 by teacher Peter Collins, and railway engineer Adrian Gould. They shared an interest and were bought together by Terence Cuneo's daughter, Carole. While Terence was the pre-eminent artist, the society also celebrates his artist parents, Cyrus and Nell, and other artist relatives.
Working from Adrian's office they contacted as many people as they could before an initial and foundation Annual General Meeting held in March 2002 (pictured below). We've developed from there.
Over the years the society grew and prospered, educating and promoting the works of Terence Cuneo, and his talented relatives, including his parents. There were regular visits to places where the artist's work is held, often behind closed doors to the general public. This extended to short holidays in a particular part of the country, visiting several sites with a Cuneo interest over a few days. A particular achievement was working with the Science Museum to have two of his largest pictures, in storage for many years hung. Waterloo Station was rehung in 2006 at the National Rail Museum in York, and the General Electric Company, Witton Works, was re-displayed at the Science Museum in London in 2018.
COVID made things complicated. The 2020 AGM was cancelled, and visits curtailed.
In 2023 the society morphed into a more modern structure, driven really by a lack of volunteers to run activities. The Charity Commission approved the closure of the society as a charity in January 2024 - and the 'Cuneo Society' has become 'The Cuneo Society', a more informal and primarily online gathering of likeminded people.
This website, and a vibrant Facebook group continue. A Terence Cuneo art prize has been established at his old school, Sutton Valence, both to continue his memory and encourage young artists. The shop also continues, but no longer run by the society but Herbertson Fine Art instead. John Herbertson has been a strong supporter of the society.
The Cuneo Society is proud of with close relationship, and the generosity shown by the Estate in allowing the artist's works to be used for society business.
