The Ferntree Gully Arts  Society had its beginnings over sixty years ago in a letter sent by local potter, Allan Lowe, to the Secretary of the Ferntree Gully Shire, suggesting that an Art Exhibition be held to "develop the cultural and appreciative  level of our residents.and (the money raised) donated to the Red Cross to aid fighting men.".

From a successful exhibition, including works on loan by such luminaries of Australian art as Arthur Streeton, Louis Buvelot, Phillips Fox, Tom Roberts, Charles Conder, Julian Ashton, William Ricketts, Merric Boyd and Albert Namatjira to name a few, as well as works by local lesser known artists, the germ of a society was formed, the result of which is still going strong today.

Established in 1951, the Tuesday night Sketch Club is a staple on the society's calendar. Finding somewhere for artists to draw from life for a very reasonable fee was not an easy task in the fifties and many came from "town" on the train to the little Hut in the hills. Over the years artists such as Fred Williams, Noel Counihan, Ray Crooke and Arnold Shore attended the Sketch Club.  It was presided over for many years by the affable and entertaining Douglas Hyde.

The Hut has also been home to The Hut  Players Repertory Group (now the 1812 Theatre in Ferntree Gully) a music society, film society and potters group amongst others.

It continues to provide a warm and welcoming environment for artists of all abilities to share, work and exhibit.