Programme

This page shows our current programme of lectures and other events.

Please scroll down the page for details of lectures, special interest events and visits

Audiences 15.jpg

SPECIAL INTEREST DAYS (SID) AND ZOOM EVENTS 

Tuesday, January 14th 2025 at 2pm.  Zoom Lecture - Anna Moszynska – MOMA New York.  A trip around this iconic gallery. Cost £12.  Bookings and payment by cash or cheque only at the November lecture.   Please click here to contact our secretary to enquire about this event.  Zoom details will be sent out nearer the time.

Wednesday, May 14th 2025, 10.30am – 3.15pm.  St Andrews Church Hall, Bedford. Jane Choy-Thurlow: The Golden Age of Dutch Art. Jane will talk about the history and culture that brought this dynamic art to fruition.  3 lectures with lunch between.  Coffee from 10.15.  Cost tbc.  Bookings taken at lectures from January or  click here

our 2024 Lecture Programme - at the addison centre, kempston, MK42 8PN, starting at 11 am       

Nov 26th - Sarah Ciacci - The Holiday Season: food and feasting in Art.  An artistic mid-season celebration that helps spur people on towards Spring.

our 2025 Lecture Programme - at the addison centre, kempston, MK42 8PN, starting at 11 am       

Jan 28th - Colin Schindler - "Gotta Dance":  The Hollywood Musical.  Its beginnings, its Golden Age and its near disappearance. 

Feb 25th - James Allen - Islamic Art: geometry, The Arabesque, floral designs and figural art. 

Mar 25th - Matthew Wilson - A History of World Art in 5 Symbols:  its complex language with intriguing backstories and influences.   

Apr 29th - Paula Nuttall - Urbino, The Palace of the Courtier:  ducal treasures, the paintings by Piero della Francesca.   

May 27th – Carol Wilhide-Justin – Katsushika Hokusai and JMW Turner:  their lives and work, the different ways they were accepted.

Jun 24th – Susan Kay-Williams – Tapestries:  the ultimate wall decoration.  Landmark sets, the production, Flemish weavers, the expense.

Sep 30th – Aliki Braine – Painting is Dead.  Long live Photography!  The fascinating dialogue between them.

Oct 28th – Andrew Spira – The Art and Craft of the Pewterer:  once at the heart of daily European life, no longer valued.  The history and techniques.

Nov 25th – Sarah Burles – Fear Not:  the Annunciation in Art.  Inspiration for some of the most beautiful images in Western Art.               

2024 Visits

NOTE:  Visit our News & Events page for reports of various art events and our earlier visits during 2024 to: London, Globe Theatre (February); Upton House and Gardens (May); Saffron Walden including The Fry Art Gallery and The Bridge Gardens (July).

2025 Visits (dates, cost and final details to be confirmed)

March:  London trip by train - details tbc (booking begins in January).
July:  Coach trip to one or two locations (about one hour's drive away) - details tbc (booking begins in May).
November:  Tour of The Bunyan Museum and Church, Bedford - date tbc (booking begins in September).
 
NOTE:  Please  click here  to make an enquiry about any of the above events.

 

General information

Guests are usually able to attend lectures at the cost of £10 per person. For students and members of other Arts Societies, this is reduced to £5 per person. In the case of The Arts Society Woburn Area, we currently have a reciprocal arrangement that enables members to attend each society's lectures at no additional cost. Guests and members of other societies are  welcome on our visits and study events at the published cost subject to places being available. 

area and national events

Members also have access to lectures, study days and other events provided at area level and by The Arts Society across the country. To see what is on offer, please use the following links:

The Arts Society Beds and Herts Area

The Arts Society