The Council

The Hilliard Society is run by a council of approximately 14 elected members and is governed by a constitution (members are welcome to contact the executive secretary to obtain a copy). The council are elected for two years. 

From these members the officers are chosen by the rest of the council.  All may stand for re-election.  Formal meetings take place usually twice a year with regular informal discussions at other times. 

Meet some of the council members below:

Peter has loved drawing and painting for as long as he can remember and has painted in miniature for more than 35 years. He has exhibited at the Royal Miniatures Society since 2012, Guild Artists Exhibition since 2012, Society of Limners since 2014 and the Hilliard Society since 2015. He has run, with his wife Anne, the Towngate Art Group that encompasses gallery, framing, fine art printing and publishing for over 38 years and now also runs Polymers Plus making miniature frames for miniaturists and collectors around the world…. while he continues to paint his detailed miniatures. Peter was elected president of the Society in 2024.

I have been a member of the Hilliard Society since 1997 and I am a member of the Royal Miniature Society. I organised a local art group for over 30 years and, together with partners, owned a small gallery in Oxfordshire which specialised in exhibiting the work of local artists.

Maggy was President of the Hilliard Society from 2018 until 2021.

Heather trained as a commercial artist in the sixties, in South Africa before coming to live in England. She established herself as a successful artist in pastels, of portraits both canine and human and it was in 1980 when she began painting and exhibiting miniatures in watercolour on ivorine.

Her love of dogs, together with her talent and sense of humour all come together in her book ‘Heidi, Holly and Other Dogs’ – a must for every dog lover!

Tracy is an artist and illustrator based in Scotland. First introduced to miniature art in 2007, she was instantly hooked and was delighted to be awarded The Royal Miniature Society Gold Memorial Bowl the following year. 

She hasn't stopped since and loves every minute, fitting in her miniature paintings amongst her illustration work as time allows. 

I knew nothing about miniature painting until I happened to visit the annual exhibition of the Hilliard Society with my husband in Wells on holiday in 2009. Also I did not know that I might be able to paint pictures myself, let alone painting miniatures. However, I was so enthusiastic that I decided to give it a try. I was very surprised and proud that in 2011 my first paintings were accepted for the exhibition of the HS. 

Claudia lives near Bonn with her family.

I am a professional artist who has had a long career in commercial art: book illustration, textile design, stationery etc. I always loved fine detail and have gravitated towards miniature painting over the last ten years, becoming a member of both the The Hilliard Society and The Royal Miniature Society.

I have enjoyed participating in the annual exhibition in Wells and found the people to be warm and friendly. I hope to encourage newcomers and to spread the word via social media.