Exe Decorative and Fine Arts Society (ExeDFAS) held its first meeting on 18th January 1987 in Matthews Hall in Topsham, with an Inaugural ceremony followed by a lecture on The Decorative and Fine Arts, given by Wellesley Clinton Esq, a lecturer at the Victoria & Albert Museum and the Wallace Collection.

Since its inauguration ExeDFAS has increased the variety of activities associated with the promotion of the arts, both within the membership and further afield.  In 2024, the members voted, at an AGM, to change the name of the Society to "The Arts Society Topsham".

We are members of The Arts Society – originally NADFAS – and benefit from their support and resources including the quarterly magazine sent to each member.  You can learn more about The Arts Society at their website.  (See links on our website.)  A document with The Arts Society Mission statement can be accessed under the “About Us’ banner on our website.

The core activity of The Arts Society Topsham (TAST) is our monthly lectures programme – nine lectures per season from October to June  These are given by lecturers who are distinguished specialists in their fields.  All our lecturers are selected from The Arts Society Directory of Lecturers who undergo considerable vetting and assessment before being accepted.  This ensures that we are able to provide lectures of a very high standard. It also offers us a wide variety of topics which inform, educate and foster interest in all aspects of the arts  You can see this variety in our past and future lectures in our programme and on our website.

Other activities include Special Interest Days/Study Days, day visits and away tours – both at home and abroad.  More information can be seen in the relevant sections of the website.

In addition to these activities, some of our members have been very active in carrying out Church Recording, Conservation and Church Trails, over a number of years.  Other societies and groups have also benefited from our grants, including activities for students and school children, such as workshops on art and drama.

All of our activities aim to support The Arts Society Mission Statement as well as providing enjoyment and friendship for our members.

"A La Ronde" by Ray Balkwill