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It would be impossible to find a more appropriate showcase for Torbay's art collectio than historic Torre Abbey, the home of some of Torbay's leading citizens for over 800 years. The present art collection is largely the result of donations or bequests made by local people since 1930.

Ruth Burt-Smith the wife of E.H. Burt-Smith, the first honorary curator of Torre Abbey, had studied art at the Slade School in London. She painted throughout her life, but decided not to paint professionally. She painted two portraits of Thora Bird, later to become Thora Childs.

Aya Broughton (1912 - 1997) born in Kyoto Japan, moved to Torquay in 1936 following her marriage to Bernard Broughton, an Oxford professor some 30 years her senior. her colourful and lively canvases won her awards throughout Europe. Closely involved with many local charities, she would support their fundraising events by producing quick but lifelike sketches of visitors in return for a donation to the charity.

The Childs family took Aya under their wing during the war... she was not interned...but had a hard time....She exhibited at the Devon Art Society and Lilian bought a painting of Aya's for each of her children.Thalia's is a beautiful one of her garden where she sometimes had a cup of tea with her mother and her grandmother Gertrude Mary Bird.
Aya corresponded with the family B/W photos, Xmas and Birthday cards as well as post cards from various places and countries she visited and exhibited in.

Her painting 'Purple Sunshade. a self-portrait' hangs in the Gallery.

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