Hidden away near Fenchurch Street Station in the City of London is an early 18^th century architectural gem which today flourishes both as a private dining club and a historic and characterful venue for the arts programme  “Art at Lloyds Club”.

Lloyds Club, established in 1920, took over and refurbished the property in 2009.  Once the site of the residence of the Ambassador of France when the Court of King James was based at the Tower of London, it was redeveloped in the early 18^th century and has survived with its interiors reasonably intact.

The Club runs a varied arts programme across the three main levels of the house,  organised in collaboration with internationally-recognised galleries, artists and curators.  Last week it was reflecting the Latin American theme which has been running through London this summer with the closing of the group exhibition of colonial and contemporary painting and sculpture,  “Conscientia: Latin American Consciousness”, curated by Art at Lloyds’ Programme Manager Lavinia Freitas and Braziliality Founder Alicia Bastos.

Showing works in a variety of styles and media, the exhibition included a selection of colonial art and contemporary works by Beatriz Milhazes, Carlos Cruz-Diez, Cipriano Martinez, Emilia Sunyer, Jaime Gili, Hen Coleman, Jakeline Londono, Laura Belém, Maria de Lima, Oscar Santillan, Pato Bosich, Pablo Ferreti, Raquel Schembri, Ricardo Rendón, Rivane Neuenschwander, Santiago Montoya, Sylvia Morgado and Yara Tupynambá.

This week the Club will host the opening of The Young Masters Art Prize, an international prize which for outstanding contemporary artists who “pay homage to the skill and traditions of the past”. Young Masters is a not-for-profit initiative of The Cynthia Corbett Gallery.

The exhibition at The Lloyds Club, curated by R/E Collective, features the 30 artists shortlisted for the 2014 edition of the Prize, alongside guest artist and winner of the Young Masters Art Prize 2012, Lottie Davies. This year also sees the launch of the Young Masters Maylis Grand Ceramics Prize to a young artist who similarly creates ceramic work that in a way that builds on the skills and techniques of the past.

The Lloyds Club is a great historic venue for these art shows, located in the heart of the City of London.