The Arts Society Wokingham is celebrating its 10th season with an exciting programme of lectures, visits and study days.
The group meets on the third Monday of every month, except in August and December, at King’s Academy, Binfield to listen to talks covering all aspects of the arts including painting, sculpture, textiles, cinema and architecture.
The season starts at 7.45pm on Monday, September 18, with a talk by John Iddon on James McNeill Whistler.
This vain and waspish painter caused controversy during his lifetime but his paintings were ahead of their time, both revolutionary and poetic. This talk looks at both the man and his art.
Future lectures include the post-war politics of Ealing studios, the 20th century Yorkshire textile renaissance, the extraordinary art and life of Augustus John and an armchair tour of Wren’s City Churches with Ian Swankie, one of the Society’s favourite lecturers.
Talks are also live-streamed to the Society’s own YouTube channel for those members who are unable to attend in person.
As well as monthly lectures the Society organises study days at Wokingham Theatre.
As much as these are about exploring a topic in more depth, they are also about making new friends.
The theatre foyer provides a great space where members can gather and chat over morning coffee and a delicious sandwich lunch between lectures.
The Society also organises visits to a wide variety of places of historic and artistic interest. Their next visit is a private guided tour of the recently redeveloped King’s Cross Coal Drops Yard.
One of the Society’s aims is to get involved in community projects which will make a difference to young lives – helping and encouraging young people to expand their horizons and realise their personal potential through involvement in creative arts activities.
A recent grant from the Society to Maiden Erlegh School has been used to support students in large-scale photography printing which has helped to raise students’ grades.
To learn more about the Society, visit their website: www.TheArtsSocietyWokingham.org.uk
Guests are always welcome to meetings, interest must be registered beforehand by emailing: memsectheartssocietywham@gmail.com
Sue Bryant
