The first exhibition of the group showed 37 artists and took place in Colchester Castle. The selection committee decided that the criteria to choose the works would be based purely on merit, regardless of the background, experience or popularity of the artist, a policy which remains. The artist and designer Henry Collins designed the posters for the exhibition alongside the society's logo, which is still used today.Stokes, V. 2008 Colchester Institute: Selected works from the Colchester Art Society Collection Exhibition Catalogue, The Minories
