Lecture Programme 2023-24
LECTURES TAKE PLACE in ASHBOURNE TOWN HALL AT 2.15 pm
October 11th 2023
The Antiques Roadshow - behind the scenes and the great discoveries
Lecturer: Marc Allum
The Antiques Roadshow - behind the scenes and the great discoveries
Lecturer: Marc Allum
A first hand insight behind the nation’s most popular antiques programme by Marc Allum - specialist on the show for over 20 years.
Marc Allum is a freelance art and antiques journalist, writer and broadcaster based in Wiltshire. He is shortly to begin his 23rd year as a specialist on the BBC Antiques Roadshow and has appeared on numerous television and radio programmes. He also runs a fine art valuation and consultancy service. Marc has his own unique style with interests ranging from pre-history to modern design and is a self-confessed collectaholic.
Marc Allum is a freelance art and antiques journalist, writer and broadcaster based in Wiltshire. He is shortly to begin his 23rd year as a specialist on the BBC Antiques Roadshow and has appeared on numerous television and radio programmes. He also runs a fine art valuation and consultancy service. Marc has his own unique style with interests ranging from pre-history to modern design and is a self-confessed collectaholic.
November 8th
'As if by Magic' The secrets of Turner's water colour techniques.
Lecturer: Nicola Moorby
'As if by Magic' The secrets of Turner's water colour techniques.
Lecturer: Nicola Moorby
J.M.W. Turner was arguably the greatest practitioner in watercolour the world has ever seen and his achievements still represent the benchmark for artists working today. Yet he left frustratingly few written records of his processes and was notoriously reticent about his methods. One brave soul apparently once asked him the key to being a successful artist and it is recorded that he rather grumpily replied ‘The only secret I have is damned hard work’! This lecture examines Turner’s watercolour practice in detail, unlocking the mysteries behind his exceptional effects.
Nicola Moorby is an independent art historian specialising in British art of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. . Formerly a curator at Tate Britain she has curated a number of exhibitions and has published widely on J.M.W. Turner.
Nicola Moorby is an independent art historian specialising in British art of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. . Formerly a curator at Tate Britain she has curated a number of exhibitions and has published widely on J.M.W. Turner.
The Nutcracker ballet has delighted audiences at Christmas for many decades yet it was deemed a failure at its initial performances. Based upon the current Royal Ballet production by Sir Peter Wright, this lecture takes a close look at how this well-loved ballet now takes its rightful place on stage and how the music of Tchaikovsky along with story-telling, design, dance and a little bit of stage ingenuity all come together to make the most magical escape for young and old alike. Includes several performance video clips.
We are delighted to welcome back Nigel Bates who has been a performer for more than forty years in and out of the Royal Opera House Covent Garden, including seventeen years as Principal Percussionist with the Orchestra and eight years as the Music Administrator of The Royal Ballet.
We are delighted to welcome back Nigel Bates who has been a performer for more than forty years in and out of the Royal Opera House Covent Garden, including seventeen years as Principal Percussionist with the Orchestra and eight years as the Music Administrator of The Royal Ballet.
January 10th 2024
Debo: Mitford, Cavendish, Devonshire Duchess, Housewife. 1920-2014
Lecturer: Simon Seligman
Debo: Mitford, Cavendish, Devonshire Duchess, Housewife. 1920-2014
Lecturer: Simon Seligman
Deborah Devonshire, the youngest of the Mitford sisters and wife of the 11th Duke of Devonshire, was hefted by marriage to one of Europe’s greatest treasure houses, Chatsworth. In the second half of the 20th century, in partnership with her husband, she imbued it with a spirit, elegance and sense of welcome that transformed it from being the worn-out survivor of decades of taxation, war and social change into one of the best-loved, most-emulated and popular historic houses, gardens and estates in the country. With responsibility for Lismore Castle and Bolton Abbey as well, no wonder her passport stated her profession as ‘housewife’.
For 19 years until 2010, Simon Seligman worked at Chatsworth in a variety of roles, latterly as Head of Communications. He has lectured about Chatsworth, the Devonshire Collection and associated topics, throughout the UK and on several US tours.
For 19 years until 2010, Simon Seligman worked at Chatsworth in a variety of roles, latterly as Head of Communications. He has lectured about Chatsworth, the Devonshire Collection and associated topics, throughout the UK and on several US tours.
February 21st
David Hockney: Old Master of the modern world
Lecturer: Douglas Skeggs
David Hockney: Old Master of the modern world
Lecturer: Douglas Skeggs
From the early sixties, when he left the Royal College of Art more famous than his teachers, Hockney's paintings have shown a charm and humour that sets them apart from others of his generation. A naturally gifted draftsman, his love of ingenious visual devices has led him to experiment with a whole range of techniques, from stage design to coloured paper making. From the early abstract expressionist images, through his famous Californian scenes of swimming pools to the photo-montages of the mid eighties, this lecture follows the career of an artist whose wit and imagination has never faltered.
Douglas Skeggs read Fine Art at Magdalene College Cambridge and has been a lecturer on paintings since 1980. In that time he has given over 8000 lectures to universities, colleges and art societies. He was the director of The New Academy of Art Studies for three years and is presently a regular lecturer at The Study Centre.
Douglas Skeggs read Fine Art at Magdalene College Cambridge and has been a lecturer on paintings since 1980. In that time he has given over 8000 lectures to universities, colleges and art societies. He was the director of The New Academy of Art Studies for three years and is presently a regular lecturer at The Study Centre.
March 13th
Arts behind bars: the role of the Arts on breaking the cycle of crime.
Lecturer: Angela Findlay
Arts behind bars: the role of the Arts on breaking the cycle of crime.
Lecturer: Angela Findlay
Years of working as an artist within the Criminal Justice System in England and Germany have given Angela unique insights into the destructive and costly cycle of crime, prisons and re-offending. In this thought-provoking talk she offers a deeper understanding of the minds, lives and challenges of offenders. With extraordinary slides of art projects and prisoner’s art, she demonstrates how within the process of creating art of any discipline, there are vital opportunities for offenders to confront their crimes and develop the key life skills so essential in leading a positive and productive life. A frequent response to this talk has been “I had no idea!” and indeed it casts light onto areas of our society where the Arts not only are visual, decorative or commercial, but absolutely vital, hugely relevant and potentially life-changing.
Angela Findlay is a professional artist, writer and freelance lecturer with a long career of teaching art in prisons in Germany and England. Her time ‘behind bars’ and later as Arts Coordinator of the London-based Koestler Arts, gave her many insights into the huge impact the arts can have in terms of rehabilitation.
Angela Findlay is a professional artist, writer and freelance lecturer with a long career of teaching art in prisons in Germany and England. Her time ‘behind bars’ and later as Arts Coordinator of the London-based Koestler Arts, gave her many insights into the huge impact the arts can have in terms of rehabilitation.
April 10th
The Elgin Marbles: A history of meaning
Lecturer: Alan Read
The Elgin Marbles: A history of meaning
Lecturer: Alan Read
In the two centuries since they were removed from the Parthenon by Lord Elgin, the meaning and significance of the ‘Elgin marbles’ has changed dramatically. From architectural decoration to disputed cultural objects this lecture looks at the response to them over their time in Britain, from the original controversy over their purchase to the current debate surrounding the restitution of the marbles to the new Acropolis Museum in Athens.
Alan Read holds Master’s and First Class Honours degrees in History of Art from Birkbeck College, University of London. Is a gallery guide at Tate Britain, Tate Modern and the National Portrait Gallery and has lectured at many galleries including the Dulwich Picture Gallery and the NPG. He is also a London Blue Badge Guide and City of London Guide.
Alan Read holds Master’s and First Class Honours degrees in History of Art from Birkbeck College, University of London. Is a gallery guide at Tate Britain, Tate Modern and the National Portrait Gallery and has lectured at many galleries including the Dulwich Picture Gallery and the NPG. He is also a London Blue Badge Guide and City of London Guide.
The Jazz Age was a period in the 1920s and 1930s in which jazz music and dance styles gained worldwide popularity. The Jazz Age's cultural repercussions were primarily felt in the United States, the birthplace of jazz. Originating in New Orleans as mainly sourced from the culture of African Americans, jazz played a significant part in wider cultural changes in this period, and its influence on popular culture continued long afterwards.
Sandy Burnett is one of the UK’s most authoritative broadcasters in the field of classical music. His varied career has seen him as author, bassist, conductor, broadcaster and presenter, sharing his passion for music.
Sandy Burnett is one of the UK’s most authoritative broadcasters in the field of classical music. His varied career has seen him as author, bassist, conductor, broadcaster and presenter, sharing his passion for music.
June 12th
The Royal Art Collection of Charles III
Lecturer: Linda Collins
The Royal Art Collection of Charles III
Lecturer: Linda Collins
A short A.G.M will take place at 2pm before the lecture at 2.15pm.
The Royal Collection of Art contains paintings from the Early Renaissance period to the Victorian era and beyond and it is an important reflection of both the taste of the Monarch and of the social and economic thinking of the country at the time. There are less than 2,700 pictures hanging in the National Gallery in London – there are more than 7,000 paintings in the Royal Collection.
Linda Collins is a lecturer for the Historic Royal Palaces and the National Trust, freelance lecturer at the Tate Modern and National Gallery, an independent lecture organiser and member of the Association of Art Historians.
Linda Collins is a lecturer for the Historic Royal Palaces and the National Trust, freelance lecturer at the Tate Modern and National Gallery, an independent lecture organiser and member of the Association of Art Historians.
Main picture : Aldborough, Suffolk 1826.
J.M.W. Turner Wikipedia Commons
J.M.W. Turner Wikipedia Commons