North Bedfordshire Arts Society

in the arts

The Church of St Paul, Bedford has recently reinstalled the rare medieval statues of St Peter and St Paul after refurbishment of the north porch. Click here for more information.

Edward Bawden & Me Exhibition at The Higgins until 26 January 2025 - read our blogs about the exhibition and about Bawden here.

Vanessa Bell: A World of Form and Colour at the Milton Keynes Gallery until 23 February 2025. Bell’s pioneering work was at the forefront of British abstraction. She helped to create conditions in which artists, including women, could flourish. Click here for more information.

Enjoy outstanding lectures and events, and make new friends too! Read more about the advantages of being a member of North Bedfordshire Arts Society. Click here for link to Bedford Clanger article published 29 April 2024.

CONTACT MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE BY CLICKING ON THIS LINK

welcome

Welcome to our website which not only contains information about our Society but also about arts and cultural activities in North Bedfordshire and beyond.

The Arts Society (of which we are one of nearly 400 societies) is an extraordinary organisation, involving tens of thousands of members - both in the UK and internationally - who regularly take part in high quality arts events supported by a large group of expert lecturers and guides.

We meet for lectures at the Addison Centre in Kempston at the times shown in the adjoining panel. We also organise study visits, special interest events and provide arts projects for young people. Let us know how we can develop this site to meet your interests, and if you're not a member come and join us.

for our members

Nov 26

NBAS Lecture: Sarah Ciacci - The Holiday Season - Food and Feasting in Art

26 Nov 2024, 11:00 – 12:00

An artistic mid-season celebration that helps spur people on towards Spring. 10.15-11.00 - tea/coffee as usual with free festive cakes. Click here for more lecture details.

Jan 14

Zoom Lecture - Anna Moszynska – MOMA New York.

14 Jan 2025, 14:00 – 15:00

A trip around this iconic gallery. Cost £12. Link for further details. To book, please click here

Jan 28

NBAS lecture: Colin Schindler - "Gotta Dance": The Hollywood Musical

28 Jan 2025, 11:00 – 12:00

Its beginnings, its Golden Age and its near disappearance.

Feb 25

NBAS Lecture - James Allen - Islamic Art

25 Feb 2025, 11:00 – 12:00

Geometry, The Arabesque, floral designs and figural art.

Mar 25

NBAS Lecture - Matthew Wilson - A History of World Art in 5 Symbols

25 Mar 2025, 11:00 – 12:00

Its complex language with intriguing backstories and influences.

Apr 29

NBAS Lecture - Paula Nuttall - Urbino, The Palace of the Courtier

29 Apr 2025, 11:00 – 12:00

Ducal treasures, the paintings by Piero della Francesca.

May 14

Special Interest Day - Jane Choy-Thurlow - The Golden Age of Dutch Art

14 May 2025, 10:15 – 15:15

Jane will talk about the history and culture that brought this dynamic art to fruition. Three lectures with lunch between. Venue: St. Andrew’s Church Hall, Bedford. 10.30am – 3.15pm. Coffee from 10.15. Cost tbc. Bookings taken from January at lectures or email click here.

May 27

NBAS Lecture - Carol Wilhide-Justin – Katsushika Hokusai and JMW Turner

27 May 2025, 11:00 – 12:00

Their lives and work, the different ways they were accepted.

Jun 24

NBAS Lecture - Susan Kay-Williams – Tapestries

24 Jun 2025, 11:00 – 12:00

The ultimate wall decoration. Landmark sets, the production, Flemish weavers, the expense.

Sept 30

NBAS Lecture - Aliki Braine – Painting is Dead

30 Sept 2025, 11:00 – 12:00

Long live Photography! The fascinating dialogue between them.

Oct 28

NBAS Lecture - Andrew Spira – The Art and Craft of the Pewterer

28 Oct 2025, 11:00 – 12:00

Once at the heart of daily European life, no longer valued. The history and techniques.

Nov 25

NBAS Lecture - Sarah Burles – Fear Not

25 Nov 2025, 11:00 – 12:00

The Annunciation in Art. Inspiration for some of the most beautiful images in Western Art.

About Us

Please visit our "About" page to find out more about the Arts Society North Bedfordshire. We host a programme of lectures, visits and study events and support the arts in the local area.

Join Us

Membership information is available on our Join page. Find out how to contact our membership secretary and apply to join or renew your membership here.

Links

Look at the links on this page of our website to access a range of galleries, museums, performance venues and other arts organisations that may be of interest.

Young Arts

Please visit this page to find out about the work we do supporting Young Arts projects.

Programme

Please visit this page to to find out more about our current programme of lectures and other events.

Lectures Plus

This page includes materials that will enable you to follow up some of our previous lecture topics.