E-News Bulletin July 2026

SOCIETY EVENTS

The members’ lecture/45^th anniversary celebration on June 10^th was a huge success. The evening was enjoyed by all and everyone was amazed that armour is such a fascinating subject. If any member missed it, they should contact Jeanette McCauley to request the link as the recording is available until midnight on Sunday 12^th July.

The full lecture programme for 2026-27 will be included in the Review and Programme Card coming out in the July mailing. All lectures will be bookable from 25^th July.

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.

Places are available on our upcoming study events:

American Art and its Publics 1880-1939 a study day at Lettsom House with Dr Kathy McLaughlan on Friday 3rd July.

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.

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

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.

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 Coventry Cathedral Coventry on Friday 10th July. The tour, which will be led by a cathedral guide, includes the modern cathedral with its spectacular stained glass windows, and the ruins of the medieval gothic cathedral destroyed in World War 2.

Cathedral Mosaics in London starting at St Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral then heading to Westminster Cathedral on 14th July 2026. Now waiting list only.

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.

NEW Simon Gillespie Fine Art Restorers and Conservators Study Tour on Monday 2nd November. Now open for booking.

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.

Date for your Diary: 

• 4^th December – Visit to Pitzhanger Manor and Gallery (booking opens on 1^st August)

Volunteering

We still urgently need volunteers, both for the events team and to help produce the Newsletter. Working on the Newsletter might appeal to a couple of friends who enjoy meeting up and bouncing ideas around. 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

While we were able to hold last year’s fee at its 2024 level, the continuing rise in costs associated with our routine activities means that a small increase is necessary this year. On 1^st August a standard single membership will rise from £35 to £40; 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

Members Recommendation: The Writing of Stones a play at The Cockpit Theatre on 3rd-5th August 2026 at 7pm.

With thanks to Eva Bigalke, you can access and download a listing of current and future exhibitions showing in London from now until November 2026 here. *The updated version will be made available shortly

Overseas Exhibitions

Rothko in Florence, at the Fondazione Palazzo Strozzi, Florence, Italy. On now until 23rd August 2026.

The exhibition follows Mark Rothko’s development from his early paintings to his famous large-scale abstract works. It explores how he used colour and form to create powerful emotional experiences, while also highlighting the influence of Italian art on his work.

Rencontres d’Arles in Arles, France. Open from 6th July to 4th October 2026.

The 57th edition of the Rencontres d’Arles transforms Arles into a city-wide photography exhibition, bringing together artists from across Africa, the Mediterranean and beyond under the theme “Worlds to Reread.” Through archival projects, major monographic exhibitions and emerging voices, the festival explores identity, history, representation and humanity’s relationship with the living world, inviting visitors to see contemporary society from new perspectives.

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