50 Years at Dora House
During its lifetime, this uniquely creative space has been both a home and a studio for sculptors, photographers, painters, architects, and designers alike. Gifted to the Society half a century ago, it became the sanctuary we had long been searching for, making this year’s theme perfectly fitting.
Meet Our Benefactor
Cecil Thomas OBE FRBS, who generously bequeathed us Dora House (named in memory of his late wife) upon his death in 1976, made contributions to the world of sculpture and wider society that extend far beyond this incredible gift. Dubbed the 'Soldier Sculptor,' his work and writings were vastly influential. Find out more about his fascinating story below.
Discover Year of the Home Events
JOIN US: What Does Home Mean to You? with Arpita Shah
Come along on Sunday 20 September to our creative workshop exploring the meaning of home at Dora House with artist Arpita Shah.
We invite visitors to write, draw, or describe the meaning of ‘home on a tag, then tie it onto our community home installation using colourful ribbons.
Drop in, enjoy tea, juice, biscuits, and meaningful stories together.
WATCH: Cecil Thomas OBE FRBS and Gilbert Bayes FRBS: their work as medallists
Watch a talk by Philip Attwood FSA, Honorary Research Fellow at the British Museum, who worked in the Department of Coins and Medals from 1979 until 2020, serving as Keeper of Coins and Medals from 2010. Philip considered the work as medallists of both Cecil Thomas OBE FRBS who set up the Dora House Trust in memory of his late wife to bequeath the house to the Society and Gilbert Bayes FRBS whose Trust supports the Society's Gilbert Bayes Award for early career sculptors.
WATCH: International Sculpture Day Panel Discussion
To mark International Sculpture Day 2026, a panel discussion feat. Susie MacMurray FRSS and Julian Wild FRSS and chaired by Matthias Persson, Artist Residencies Director at the Josef and Anni Albers Foundation, explored the positive impact of artist residencies with a particular focus on mid-career artists.
'There's No Place Like It' Curated by Henry Holland
Please save the date for the re-opening of Dora House! We look forward to welcoming you back for the re-opening weekend on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 September.
We will present the 2026 Summer Show curated by acclaimed designer Henry Holland. Henry has chosen as theme There’s No Place Like It echoing the Society’s Year of the Home celebrations as we mark 50 years at Dora House, following Cecil Thomas OBE FRBS’ generous gift to the Society.
JOIN US: A Vessel for Home, a Workshop with artist Violaine Verry
Reflect on the idea of home through clay in this hand-building pottery workshop with ceramic artist Violaine Verry.
Create a small vessel inspired by a memory, ritual, place or feeling, which will be glazed and fired after the workshop.
BOOK LAUNCH: Totem: The Untold Story of Sculpture by Jo Baring
We hope you can join us on Monday 12 October for the launch, at Dora House, of Totem: The Untold Story of Sculpture by Jo Baring, art historian and curator.
Jo is also the host of the podcast Sculpting Lives and in 2023 was elected as the Frankland Visitor to Brasenose College, Oxford. She is the Director of the Ingram Collection of Modern British and Contemporary Art and a former Director of Christie's UK.
"Dora House is a uniquely sheltering, homely, safe place for sculptors and was given specifically for this purpose.”
Julie Brixey-Williams MRSS
What are your memories of Dora House?
Help bring the story of Dora House to life by sharing your treasured memories from within its walls, and telling us what home means to you, here.
Helaine Bluemenfeld OBE FRSS
"The first time I entered Dora House remains vivid in my mind. I had just been elected a member of the Society and, although nervous and excited, I experienced an immediate sense of welcome. There was a feeling of belonging to a community of sculptors. [...]. Dora House quickly became essential to my life."
Nicola Anthony MRSS
"Dora House became an anchor for me at a time when everything felt uncertain. [...] During the Covid lockdown, my connection to Dora House was entirely virtual – a way of being part of a community of artists long before I could physically step inside. When I finally did, it felt both welcoming and steeped in history."
Michael Marriott FRSS
"I have been a member of the Society of Sculptors since 1970 and a Fellow since 1975. One of my main memories of Dora House is of Michael Clark, the then president of the RBS (as it was at the time) and myself going to meet Cecil Thomas in the early 1970's. His amazing proposal was the beginning of forming a strong base and home for the the society that we have and enjoy today."
Almuth Tebbenhoff PPRSS
"I remember when Derek Morris took on the presidency - his kindness and warmth were so welcoming that it drew me into the Society. Dora House then was undeniably a beautiful building but creaky and leaky, [...] toilets had buckets of water on standby. Look at the swanky restrooms now!!!"
Johannes Von Stumm PPRSS
"X-mas parties with dance cards. Climbing into the light well and filling bag after bag with soil, moss and debris and removing them. The freezing team in an unheated office."
Diana Whelan MRSS
"The AGM in 1975 or so when Cecil Thomas was thanked for donating Dora House to the Society. He was sitting in the hall surrounded by members, beaming happily and enjoying the buzz."
Jane Morgan MRSS
"Walls that have listened for 50 years, cradling shadows and bronze alike. My memory is of a fleeting angle of sun on the terrace, a moment of perfect stillness."
Diane Maclean FRSS
"Exhibiting at No.108 was always a communal affair. Everyone joined in, placing exhibits, finding plinths, even painting the walls."
Our media partner for Year of the Home is Apollo.
Creating a Home for Sculptors
Follow the transformation of the once-derelict Dora House basement into a self-contained one-bedroom flat and studio for visiting artists, plus a dedicated home for our nationally important archive.
Thank you to our supporters
In these challenging times we are proud to have raised the £1million needed from trusts, foundations and private donors.
The 29th May 1961 Charitable Trust
Architectural Heritage Fund
Backstage Trust
Bridget Riley Art Foundation
Charlotte Bonham-Carter Charitable Trust
Constance Fund
Finnis Scott Foundation
Foyle Foundation
Garfield Weston Foundation
The Golsoncott Foundation
Nicholas and Judith Goodison's Charitable Settlement
The Mallinckrodt Foundation
Mirisch & Lebenheim Charitable Foundation
Henry Moore Foundation
National Manuscripts Conservation Trust
The Pennycress Trust
The Pilgrim Trust
The Porthmeor Fund
Barrie Roman and Henry Richardson
The Woolbeding Charity
And to those donors who wish to remain anonymous.
Each and every donation makes the world of difference and is gratefully received.