E-News Bulletin August 2026

The Review magazine 2026 has been posted out to all members. If you have not received yours already it will be with you in the coming days. We hope everyone enjoys the variety of articles and thank Barrie MacDonald and his editorial team for bringing it all together.

SOCIETY EVENTS

Next members’ lecture:

The next members’ lecture is Arcimboldo at the Court of the Alchemists with Rupert Dickens. This is an online Zoom event on the 19th of October. It is free for members but booking is required.

All members’ lectures for 2026-2027 are now available for booking by clicking here.

Places are available on our upcoming study events:

Barbizon and the Making of Modern Landscape a three-day online course on 6th, 7th and 8th October 14.00-16.00 with Jo Rhymer.

Byzantium’s Capital: Constantinople, the New Rome, the Queen of Cities a study day led by Dr Cecily Hennessy on the 28th October from 11:00 – 16:30 at Lettsom House.

Vienna 1900: Surface and Depth a short course at the Art Workers’ Guild with Niccola Shearman on Wednesday 11th November and Wednesday 18th November from 11:00 to 16:00.

London Interiors – Style and Taste in Interior Design, 1660-1940 a three-day online course on 24th, 25th and 26th November 10.00-12.00 with Steven Brindle.

NEW Design for Performance: Art on the British Stage a study day led by Jane Pritchard MBE on 2nd December from 11:00 – 16:30 at Lettsom House.

All the above are in-person study events (except Barbizon and the Making of Modern Landscape and London Interiors – Style and Taste in Interior Design, 1660-1940) and are also offered on a post-event recording only basis, with recordings available to all attendees for 4 weeks.

There are also many upcoming study visits and walks:

Visit to Romsey Abbey led by Dr Richard Plant on Wednesday 9th September at 13:30.

Visit to Canterbury Cathedral October 2026 with Dr Sally Dormer on Friday 2nd October. Now waiting list only.

Simon Gillespie Fine Art Restorers and Conservators Study Tour on Monday 2nd November. Now waiting list only.

NEW Visit to Pitzhanger Manor and Gallery on Friday 4th December at 11:00 or 14:00.

Please bear in mind that in order for these events to go ahead, we need to cover their costs. We kindly ask that members book as early as possible to ensure that events do not need to be rescheduled or at worst cancelled.

Volunteering

We still urgently need volunteers, both for the events team and to help produce the Newsletter. We’d appreciate any offers of assistance – no-one is “thrown in at the deep end” and training is provided. If you’d like to learn more, please contact our Chair, Jeanette McCauley, via the email link on the website or speak to her or one of the other Organisers in person at one of the upcoming events.

Membership fee

Due to the continuing rise in costs associated with our routine activities, with effect from today, a standard single membership will rise from £35 to £40 and a joint membership from £65 to £75. This is still below fees charged by many other arts societies and is excellent value, as it includes the Review, member lectures, and priority booking.

Current Exhibitions and Lectures in London

With thanks to Eva Bigalke, you can access and download a listing of current and future exhibitions showing in London from now until January 2027 here.

Overseas Exhibitions

Members Recommendation: Bigger Picture: Connected worlds of Bruges 900 – 1550 in Bruges, Belgium. On now until the 9th of September

The way we live now in Maruosi, Greece. On now until March 2027

The Way We Live Now is the George Economou Collection’s first contemporary group exhibition drawn entirely from its holdings, bringing together major international artists including David Hockney, Louise Bourgeois, Jenny Saville, David Hammons, Lorna Simpson and Henry Taylor to explore the complexities of contemporary life.

If you wish to recommend other overseas exhibitions that may be of interest to fellow members please contact our Communications Coordinator.