An illustrated talk by Richard Box.
Doors open 7pm to view exhibitions. 7.30pm finger buffet, followed by talk.
Richard is a regular artist in residence and tutor at Nature in Art. A former Head of Art in college education, he has written seven books and is a regular speaker for The Arts Society (formerly NADFAS). Tonight he’ll be casting a light on impressionism, which continues to be a very popular style of painting today even though, as a movement it was derided in its time and short lived. Monet in particular is an exemplar of this style. However other artists, like Seurat, Cézanne and Van Gogh progressed onwards and other movements developed. This talk will reveal how the movement started and why such developments occurred so speedily including some fascinating comments from art critics at the time. An entertaining evening for all.
Book here
An illustrated talk by Kim Hardie to coincide with our Goldwork exhibition
Doors open 7pm to view exhibitions (including Goldwork). Finger buffet at 7.30pm followed by talk.
Kim Hardie studied fine art embroidery techniques at the Royal School of Needlework (RSN) based at Hampton Court Palace where she completed both her Certificate and Diploma. She is currently the chair of the Gloucestershire Goldwork Guild. The history of Goldwork goes back to ancient civilisations and is mentioned in the Bible. The talk will cover the history of Goldwork, where it is made, the last places in the UK teaching the technique and examples of where it is used in the military for regimental regalia, royal events such as the State Opening of Parliament and coronations together with Haute Couture that graces ‘red carpet’ events around the world. A fascinating insight into a historic craft. An evening for all!
Book here
A Dream Come True
An illustrated talk by Braddon Johnson and Shona Thornhill
A dream of independent travel to wide open spaces with no discernible timeline is where it all began. As time passed options were refined, and soon enough Shona and Braddan were ready to roll. Literally. Riding two Royal Enfield Himalayan motorcycles they travelled overland from Tuktoyaktuk where Canada meets the Arctic Ocean, through the USA, Mexico, Central America and finally to Ushuaia – the most southern point of South America. Join us as they share their journey – the places, people, technicalities, fun and challenges of life on the road. An inspiring evening for all!
Royal Miniaturist Open Evening
This is a great opportunity to come and meet some of the members of the Royal Miniature Society who created the exhibits in our special Nature in Miniature exhibition and to find out more about the works on display.
Join us anytime between 6.00pm and 8.00pm.
No finger buffet at this event, but drinks available. Please book your ticket here, free to book but we are accepting donations on the night.
People of the Sea: An illustrated talk by Chris Butler-Stroud, CEO of Whale and Dolphin Conservation
Doors open 7pm to view galleries. Finger buffet at 7.30pm followed by talk.
PLEASE BOOK YOUR TICKET IN ADVANCE! Thank you.
WDC, Whale and Dolphin Conservation (formerly WDCS) is the leading global charity dedicated to the conservation and protection of whales and dolphins. Chris Butler-Stroud is a dedicated campaigner for whales and dolphins and their right to live protected from human impacts. He has a passion for the marine environment and heads up WDC to defend these remarkable creatures against the many threats they face through campaigns, lobbying, advising governments, conservation projects, field research and rescue. WDC’s vision is a world where every whale and dolphin is safe and free.
An evening for everyone coinciding with our Whale Song exhibition. Book here
Illustrated talk by Rick Minter
Doors open 7pm to view galleries. Finger buffet at 7.30pm followed by talk.
Big cats author and podcaster Rick Minter will review the evidence supporting people’s ongoing descriptions of pumas, black leopards and lynx in Britain.
The illustrated talk will discuss how people respond to sightings, including with artistic impressions. It will consider how these predators may be adapting to Britain’s landscape as stealthy deer cullers, and explain how evidence is being sought by DNA and by tooth pits in bones of prey, with support from two universities.
Rick will also look at some snippets of footage, and witnesses present will explain their own encounters.
Please note this talk will no longer take place.
Doors open 7pm to view galleries. Finger buffet at 7.30pm followed by talk.
This illustrated talk will explore th
e history of gardens in Gloucestershire and South Gloucestershire, covering various types such as medicinal, culinary, therapeutic, educational, and those created for enjoyment, starting from the earliest recorded mention of gardens.
In partnership with The Green Pledge Project @ The Hub, supported by the Heritage Fund
Our Heritage of Song : Or the People’s Voice
An illustrated talk by Robin Burton
Before radio, TV and the Internet, we used to make our own entertainment. Usually this meant singing. This talk charts the history of our shared songs and how it is that we know about them today … the ultimate form of popular music. It also features examples of songs from around the country and from Gloucestershire in particular. Robin is a trustee of Gloucestershire Traditions that collects and rescues traditional songs and music (part of our ‘intangible heritage’) and makes them accessible to the public. Our project partner is Gloucestershire Archives.
Doors open 7pm to view galleries. Finger buffet at 7.30pm followed by talk.
The Seasons in Landscape Painting
An illustrated talk by Martin Bowden
Following a thirty-five year career as Head of Economics and Art History at Dean Close School, Martin is now a talented painter whose work is inspired by the likes of
JMW Turner, Edward Seago, Aubrey Phillips and John Palmer. This talk will take us on a journey exploring a wide variety of artistic styles encompassing the work of, for
example, the Limbourg Brothers, Pieter Breughel, Jean Francois Millet among others. Often there is personification of the seasons so spring is a time of rebirth, summer
a time of heat and ripeness, autumn a time of harvest and winter a time for snow and the hearth. An inspiring talk for all.
Doors open 7pm to view galleries. Finger buffet at 7.30pm followed by talk.
Christmas celebration with mulled wine and festive snacks
With the Ukranian Choir ‘Kozachky’
The Ukrainian vocal ensemble ‘Kozachky’ was created in October 2022 from a group of women who were forced to leave their homes and relocate to Bristol because of the war. The group hails from different parts of Ukraine: Kyiv, Odesa, Lviv, Melitopol, Kharkiv, Zhytomyr, Vinnytsia. Come and hear some wonderful Ukranian songs being sung from the heart with some more familiar songs performed too. Do come and support these singers!
Doors open 7pm to view galleries. Finger buffet at 7.30pm followed by concert.