Heatherley School of Fine Art

Heatherley School of Fine Art is an independent art school in London. Founded in 1845, it is one of the oldest such schools in the city and one of the few in Britain that specialises in portraiture, figurative painting and sculpture. The school takes its name from Thomas Heatherley, who became principal after James Mathews Leigh. It is often called Heatherleys for short. After years on Newman Street, the school moved to George Street off Baker Street in 1927. In 2008 it settled into a new building designed for the purpose on Lots Road in Chelsea. The school’s long history and focused curriculum make it worth the journey. It has trained many artists who later became well known. The building on Lots Road was created specifically for art teaching, with studios and spaces arranged to suit the work. The school’s emphasis on traditional skills keeps its reputation strong among artists and collectors. Visitors find a working art school set in a modern Chelsea building. The studios are large and well lit, designed for painting and sculpture. The atmosphere is quiet and purposeful, with students at work on portraits and figures. The building itself stands close to the river, adding a calm setting for creative work.