Celebrating the life and work of Sidney Cooper
The Trust is established to re-open the Sidney Cooper building as an arts centre. But we also want to celebrate Sidney Cooper’s philanthropic and artistic legacy to Canterbury.
Books, talks, plaques and archives
The Trust is:
- publishing a book by Sidney Cooper expert Dr Darren Henley CBE, Chief Executive of the Arts Council of England, in November 2025. Separated, but not Divorced reappraises the life and artistic legacy of Sidney Cooper and argues that, though this style of Victorian landscape painting is no longer in vogue, his his work deserves greater recognition. This beautiful art book, with 36 full colour illustrations, will be available at The Beaney Museum on Canterbury High Street.
- working with The Beaney on an archive project that could bring together the disparate holdings of Cooper work and effects held by his family, Cooper collectors and experts, The Beaney, the University for the Creative Arts and Canterbury Christ Church University.
- talking at events around the city about the artist, including at The Canterbury Society AGM, The Horsebridge Centre Whitstable (March 4th 2026) and other community groups.
- making a a submission to the Canterbury Commemoration Society to erect a blue plaque to Sidney Cooper outside his birthplace – the house on St Peter’s Street that adjoins the old Gallery building. This would complement the exisitng blue plaque at Vernon Holme, the house Cooper built at Harbledown (and currently the home of Kent College Junior School).
Ways to support us
- Buy a copy of our new book ‘Separated, but not Divorced – the artistic life and times of Thomas Sidney Cooper’ by Dr Darren Henley, due to be published in November 2025. Publisher: The Sidney Cooper Research Group, Canterbury. ISBN 978-1-9192746-0-7. The book will be available to purchase for £24.99 at The Beaney and other outlets to be announced.
- Come to, or arrange a talk. Alison Coles, Vice-Chair, has given a number of talks on the life and work of Sidney Cooper, including to the Canterbuy Society. If you are interested in arranging a talk for your group please contact Alison on alisonc@sidneycooperarts.org. We ask for a small donation to support the work of our Group.