This wonderful five day Study Day Course on The Art and Culture of North America held at Cerne Abbas Village Hall DT2 7GY can be booked as a block of five days (Arts Society Members only) or individual days.  It can be booked through TICKET TAILOR

For more information on becoming a member of on of the societies near you  -  click HERE

Day 1. Wessex Area Study Day Course on American Art

Stella Lyons talking about American art: Grant Wood and the Regionalists; Edward Hopper and Andrew Wyeth: The first half of the 20th century was a golden age for figurative painters in North America. Many of the most reproduced images from American Art History were created during this time – Grant Wood’s ‘American Gothic’, Andrew Wyeth’s ‘Christina’s World’ and Edward Hopper's 'Nighthawks'. This lecture will explore the most iconic and exciting images to come out of America, all of which are firmly etched in the public consciousness.

Grant Wood and the Regionalists: Nostalgic, mostly rural, the Regionalists told stories of everyday life in The Great Depression in images that ordinary people could understand.

But was there an element of satire in their painting? Or even of reactionary propaganda? This brief period of figurative art in 20th Century America was short-lived but steeped in morality and emotion. This lecture includes paintings by Grant Wood, John Steuart Curry, Thomas Hart Benton and others.

Edward Hopper: Hopper was a painter of loneliness and melancholy; from solitary figures in offices, motel rooms and diners, to deserted towns. He portrayed a changing America and the isolation of the individual in the modern city. His works are visually stunning; characterised by striking colours, cinematic and cropped compositions which heighten tension. Flooded with light, his paintings expose detached figures and create a mood of eerie uneasiness. This talk considers some of his most arresting works, including ‘The Nighthawks’, ‘Gas’ and ‘Automat’

Andrew Wyeth: 'If there is such a thing as a purely American tradition in Art, it is represented at its best in the straightforward canvases of Andrew Wyeth.’ — LIFE magazine, 1948.  Andrew Wyeth is one of America’s best-known Realist painters of the 20th century. In a career spanning 75 years, he created paintings of everyday life in Pennsylvania and Maine that were imbued with mystery and emotion. He painted with an exacting detail that led to his style being termed ‘magic realism’. This lecture looks at his poignant landscapes, his scandalous ‘Helga’ series and his moving portraits, including a focused look at his most iconic work, ‘Christina’s World’.

About the Lecturer:

Stella Grace Lyons is a freelance Art History lecturer, speaker and writer accredited with The Arts Society. She has lectured across the UK, Ireland, Spain, Norway, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy and Malaysia. Stella gained her BA in the History of Art with a 1st class in her dissertation from the University of Bristol and her MA in History of Art from the University of Warwick. She spent a year studying Renaissance art in Italy at the British Institute of Florence and three months studying Venetian art in Venice. In addition, she attended drawing classes at the prestigious Charles H. Cecil studios in Florence, a private atelier that follows a curriculum based on the leading ateliers of nineteenth-century Paris. 

Stella runs her own online lectures, Stella Talks, which frequently attract listeners from across five continents, from California to Singapore. Stella is a sought-after lecturer for art societies, travel companies, private members’ clubs in London—such as the RAC, The Hurlingham Club and The Travellers Club—as well as boutique cruise lines.  Stella has also lectured for the University of South Wales. She has written about art for several publications, including The Arts Society Magazine, where her feature on Norwegian art was chosen for the cover. Her recent article for the publication explores the work of Swedish painter Anna Boberg. In 2024, she wrote the Introduction for David Griffiths: Portraits, a book about the renowned Welsh portrait painter and chaired an event about Welsh Art for the Penarth Literary Festival 2024. Additionally, she spent many years modelling for the acclaimed Wales-based artist, Harry Holland. For more information about Stella’s talks and to read a selection of testimonials, please visit www.stellagracelyons.co.uk

This wonderful five day Study Day Course on The Art and Culture of North America held at Cerne Abbas Village Hall DT2 7GY can be booked as a block of five days (Arts Society Members only) or individual days.  It can be booked through TICKET TAILOR

For more information on becoming a member of on of the societies near you -  click HERE

NEW YORK - CITY OF DREAMS

‘Wonder City of the World’, ‘The Big Apple’, ‘Metropolis’, ‘The City that never sleeps’. These descriptions of New York in the Gilded Age and the early C20 are emotive and aspirational. In this Special Interest Day we will explore the mythology and continuous re-invention of New York through the eyes of the patrons, artists, designers and visionaries who created a truly international destination hub. Ashcan painter John Sloan vividly records the ever-changing skyline, streetscapes and pace of change… “landmarks are torn down so rapidly that your canvases become historical records almost before the paint on them is dry.” 

In the 1880s, rapid and disruptive technological change exacerbated social snobberies as ‘new’ and ‘old’ money’ competed for status. Railroads, stations and steamships increased trade, travel and population. We will consider the role played by architects, interior designers and painters as the new residents of Fifth Avenue mansions jockeyed for position in the relentless move ‘uptown’? John Singer Sargent’s portraits reveal subtle clues about the anxieties and aspirations of his sitters. We will also meet the creators of the public spaces (Central Park, Grand Central Station), museums (Metropolitan Museum of Art) and the dynamic sculptural monuments of Augustus St Gaudens.

 New York’s corporate buildings, department stores and hotels were quick to pick up on the innovative ‘Art Deco’ forms on display at the Paris Exposition in 1925. As buildings rose in height and exuberance, the city’s sense of energy, innovation and fun created a new visual vocabulary for the hospitality, tourist and leisure industries. As an early adopter, New York became the hub and others in the US followed. We will explore iconic buildings including the Chanin, the Chrysler, the Rockefeller Center and discover why the Empire State building and the Waldorf-Astoria hotel share a birthday. 

Session One:  Keeping up with the Jones’ – The Gilded Age 1880s – 1910

Session Two: ‘All the iridescence of the beginning of the world’  Scott Fitzgerald

Session Three: Against the Odds: resilience following the Wall Street Crash

About the lecturer:

Mary Alexander trained as an art historian and graduated with a BA Hons in History & History of Art (University College London) and later an MA (with Distinction) in History of Art (University College London). She moved to Manchester to take up the post of Assistant Curator at Platt Hall, the Gallery of English Costume, a renowned collection of historic dress. Subsequently she lectured in art history at the University of Leeds, the Open University and Manchester University Extra Mural Department. From 1995 - 2008, she was a Visiting Lecturer at Christie’s Education in London. Mary has also combined academic work with the world of design consultancy. In 1985 she joined Pentagram Design in London, a leading international design consultancy, and coordinated client presentations, publications, conferences and international special events, including the 1986 British Design event in Aspen Colorado. In 1988 she transferred to Pentagram’s New York office with the task of organising an international design conference held at Stanford University involving business, design and education leaders. As an experienced international speaker, Mary lectures regularly for The Arts Society throughout the UK, Europe and Australia and New Zealand. She also contributes articles to magazines, newspapers and professional journals. She was President of The Arts Society Glaven Valley, Norfolk from 2016- 2021.  

This wonderful five day Study Day Course on The Art and Culture of North America held at Cerne Abbas Village Hall DT2 7GY can be booked as a block of five days (Arts Society Members only) or individual days.  It can be booked through TICKET TAILOR

For more information on becoming a member of on of the societies near  -  click HERE

MEXICAN ART AND CULTURE, PAST AND PRESENT: Few countries in the world offer such a rich and varied cultural heritage as Mexico. Before the Spanish Conquest of 1519, numerous civilisations rose and fell. Their great cities were peopled by muralists, sculptors in stone, ceramic artists, feather- and gold-workers, jewellers, weavers, and painters of sacred books. Frida Kahlo (1907-1954) and Diego Rivera (1886-1957) helped to shape the cultural identity of twentieth-century Mexico by fusing pre- Conquest and European traditions. Today countless folk-artists create splendid weavings, rich embroideries, shimmering beadwork, jewellery of silver and gold, fine pottery and dance-masks for religious festivals. Chloë Sayer will display items from her collection. 

About the lecturer:

Freelance specialist in the art and culture of Latin America. Has lectured in the UK, Canada, Ireland, Mexico, Australia and New Zealand. Has curated exhibitions, and assisted on TV documentaries for BBC and Channel 4. Has made collections in Mexico and Belize for the British Museum, and is Research Associate in the Department of World Cultures at the Royal Ontario Museum. In 2016 she was awarded the prestigious Ohtli medal by the Mexican government for her long-standing commitment to Mexican culture. Her many publications include Mexican Textiles (British Museum Press, 1990), Arts and Crafts of Mexico (Thames & Hudson, 1990), Focus on Aztecs and Incas  (Watts Books, 1995), The Incas - The Ancient World (Wayland, 1998), Textiles from Mexico (British Museum Press, 2002), and Mexico: Clothing and Culture (Royal Ontario Museum, 2015). Has also published articles in travel guides, newspapers and magazines. Mobile number is for use on the day; please contact by email or landline in the first instance.

This wonderful five day Study Day Course on The Art and Culture of North America held at Cerne Abbas Village Hall DT2 7GY can be booked as a block of five days (Arts Society Members only) or individual days.  It can be booked through TICKET TAILOR

For more information on becoming a member of on of the societies near you -  click HERE

EMILY CARR: A PIONEER OF THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST: Emily Carr’s work is a window into the soul of the indigenous people of the Pacific NorthWest. She visited villages up and down the coast of British Columbia, absorbing the essence of the wild landscape, the First Nations and their culture. This was the world that she loved; it changed her life, quickened her imagination and inspired her work.

The untamed landscapes, towering forests, rugged coastlines of her paintings may seem timeless but her concern was with a world that was gradually being lost, eroded by modern civilisation.

This talk will examine her mysterious landscapes, her paintings of towering totem poles, ‘Indian’ churches and indigenous villages. Join me to explore these, as well as to learn how she became one of Canada’s most famous artists. Discover her fearless, resolute spirit – a spirit which drove Carr to challenge societal norms and become a pioneering force for women in the art world.

TOM THOMSON AND THE MAGNIFICENT ‘GROUP OF SEVEN’: Windswept trees, desolate lakes, frosty vistas and vibrant northern skies. In the early 20th century, many thought the Canadian landscape too harsh and too savage to merit painting. But a group of artists got together to challenge this idea – the magnificent seven of Canadian art.

One Canadian artist had paved the way for this ambitious collective – Tom Thomson. Thomson died young, just before the official formation of the group. His highly mysterious death while out canoeing – accidental, murder, or suicide – sealed his place as an iconic artist in the Canadian psyche.

Thomson and the group painted Canada in all its bleak beauty. They combined Arts and Crafts decoration, Fauvist colour, Expressionist energy and Pointillist brushwork to paint what they knew – Canadian nature. They sought out wild and remote landscapes untouched by man.

In just over a decade the group defined the iconic view of Canada. They established a national art that is finally becoming truly international.

This talk will explore the vibrant and iconic works of Tom Thomson and the ‘Group of Seven’.

About the lecturer:

Stella Grace Lyons is a freelance Art History lecturer, speaker and writer accredited with The Arts Society. She has lectured across the UK, Ireland, Spain, Norway, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy and Malaysia. Stella gained her BA in the History of Art with a 1st class in her dissertation from the University of Bristol and her MA in History of Art from the University of Warwick. She spent a year studying Renaissance art in Italy at the British Institute of Florence and three months studying Venetian art in Venice. In addition, she attended drawing classes at the prestigious Charles H. Cecil studios in Florence, a private atelier that follows a curriculum based on the leading ateliers of nineteenth-century Paris. 

Stella runs her own online lectures, Stella Talks, which frequently attract listeners from across five continents, from California to Singapore. Stella is a sought-after lecturer for art societies, travel companies, private members’ clubs in London—such as the RAC, The Hurlingham Club and The Travellers Club—as well as boutique cruise lines.  Stella has also lectured for the University of South Wales. She has written about art for several publications, including The Arts Society Magazine, where her feature on Norwegian art was chosen for the cover. Her recent article for the publication explores the work of Swedish painter Anna Boberg. In 2024, she wrote the Introduction for David Griffiths: Portraits, a book about the renowned Welsh portrait painter and chaired an event about Welsh Art for the Penarth Literary Festival 2024. Additionally, she spent many years modelling for the acclaimed Wales-based artist, Harry Holland. For more information about Stella’s talks and to read a selection of testimonials, please visit www.stellagracelyons.co.uk

This wonderful five day Study Day Course on The Art and Culture of North America held at Cerne Abbas Village Hall DT2 7GY can be booked as a block of five days (Arts Society Members only) or individual days.  It can be booked through TICKET TAILOR

For more information on becoming a member of on of the societies near you  - click HERE

THE MUSIC OF PORTER, KERN, BERLIN, ROGERS and others

JEROME KERN: THE 'DADDY' OF THEM ALL: Kern was born of middle-class parents in New York in 1885 and, in a career spanning more than four decades, composed more than 700 songs used in over 100 stage works, musicals and films. He was one of the great, if not the greatest, innovators of American popular song and the ‘father’ of a whole family of songwriters who would follow him. Songs featured include: A Fine Romance, The Folks Who Live on the Hill, I Won’t Dance, Long Ago and Far Away, All the Things You Are, The Way You Look Tonight, They Didn’t Believe Me.

IRVING BERLIN: THE CENTURIAN OF SONG: Israel Beilin (later to become Irving Berlin) was born in abject poverty three years later than Kern, in 1888, in Russia and didn’t arrive in America until 1893, at the age of five. He spoke no English but became a huge Amercan patriot. By the time he died at the age of 101 he had written thousands of beautiful, often witty, songs inspiring the much younger George Gershwin to describe him as ‘the greatest songwriter who ever lived’. Songs featured include: There’s No Business Like Showbusiness, Alexander’s Ragtime Band, Change Partners, Cheek to Cheek, How Deep is the Ocean, Let’s Face the Music and Dance, White Christmas.

 About the Lecturer:

Pip Burley began his musical career playing Rock'n'Roll in the 60s and 70s as well as working with the big bands - including Sydney Lipton, Joe Loss and Ken Mackintosh. He went on to compose and record music for commercials, theatre, film and television and, in 1990, won an Ivor Novello Award for Best Television Theme music for The Darling Buds of May - a TV series he also produced (discovering Catherine Zeta-Jones in the process). Other television successes include the multi-award winning series A Touch of Frost, the most watched police series of all time, created for and starring David Jason. As a sideline he also managed to start and run an advertising agency! Since then Pip has been lecturing widely about his career based on his book Briefest Encounters and, more recently, has devised a series of six talks entitled 'The Golden Age of Song', featuring the lives and music of six great composers of popular song, lavishly illustrated with slides, videos and occasional demonstrations on the piano. These lectures have been presented both ashore and on cruise ships. 

Wessex Area Study Days 2027 – 2028

TRAVELS AROUND THE MEDITERRANEAN AND ADRIATIC

Dates booked:   The order of the lectures is yet to be confirmed.

Tuesday 12 October 2027

Tuesday 30 November 2027                                                   

Tuesday 25 January 2028

Tuesday 22 February 2028                                                                                                                                     

Tuesday 28 March 2028

STUDY DAYS

France and the Mediterranean 1870 – 1939

Lecturer - Julian Halsby

This Study Day is newly created by Julian Halsby

 A Grand Mediterranean Tour

Lecturer – Gillian Hovell

For nearly 200 years, members of the elite travelled the great sites of Europe on ‘The Grand Tour’.  What ancient sites did they visit and what civilizations have we unearthed since? What cultures and what sites are we privileged to have discovered since then? We take our own Grand Tour of the distinctive civilizations of the ancient Mediterranean and the stories of their discovery. Egypt, Mycenaeans, Minoans, Archaic and Classical Greece, Etruscans, Phoenicians and Carthaginians and Romans – they are all here!

 The Art, History and Culture of Morrocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Libya

Lecturer – Christopher Bradley

Ancient rock art from the Sahara and Berber tribal art in the Atlas Mountains are complimented by Greek and Phoenician maritime traders arriving into Carthage with Royal Purple dye.  Roma Emperor Septimius Severus from Leptis Magna oversaw their best quality mosaics before the Arabs brought the faith of Islam, Mosques, mausoleums and private houses in Fez, Algiers, Kairouan and Tripoli often re-used Roman columns, lavishly enhanced with the stunning upside-down tilework technique known as Zellij – introduced into Andalucia – becoming azulejo tiles. All adored with delicate arabesque decoration.

 Italy and the Islamic World

Lecturer – Antonia Gatward-Cevizi

This study day explores the rich interaction between Italian cities and the Islamic world. This is a story of trade and diplomacy and a shared appreciation of the complex beauty of Islamic Art. It would include ‘Italy and the East: Trade, Travel and Diplomacy’ and the choice from three lectures (which the organisers will finalise) 

Understanding the Balkans: The Arts and War

Lecturer – Nirvana Romell

Much of the arts and cultures of the Western Balkans were created as results, directly or indirectly, of the key moment of discord and division in European history. Whatever the art form – architecture, fresco, mosaic, sculpture, as well as music, food and folklore – it shows the mixture of influences from the great powers of the past.  Two lectures explain the socio-historical background of numerous political divisions and introduce the main monuments of the area.

ORGANISED BY  

Mary Jacobsen              Sue Hoxey                                                             

wessexconnectedevents@gmail.com