James A Dron was a day and evening student at Glasgow School of Art from 1887-1891, 1895-1901 and from 1914-15. During his time as a student he won a medal for still life painting and three national prizes (for ornament, details, and shading antique figures). He was awarded an Art Master's Certificate Group 1 and 1st class Certificates for Life, Antique, Anatomy and Painting. He exhibited at Scottish exhibitions from 1892 onwards and became a member of Paisley Institute in 1892. He was employed as an Art Teacher of Bonnybridge Art Classes; as Visiting Teacher of Drawing and Painting at Mount Florida Public School; as Second Master of Gorbals Evening Art Classes and also taught private and sketching classes for ladies. Dron acted as Secretary and Treasurer for the Artist Teacher's Exhibition Society (the Artist Teachers' Exhibition Society was established c1910-1911 in Glasgow, and was open to all who were artist teachers, with its objective being to maintain a high standard of personal work on the part of its members).
From the guide to the Testimonials written in support of James A Dron, 1896-1901, (The Glasgow School of Art Archives and Collections Centre)