Art Appreciation Courses in Detail

ARTA 01: AMERICAN ART - WHAT IS IT?
Tutor: Dr Britta C Dwyer
Day and time: Tuesday 9.50 - 11.20
Venue: Room 1, 27-28 Bridge Street
Terms: Autumn.
Number of places: 20
You will have heard of pop artist Andy Warhol and probably be familiar with drip-painter Jackson Pollock, but what else do you know about American art? How does American art express the unique history of a new nation? What were some of the problems in developing an American artform 'from scratch'? How may looking at paintings reflect some of the conflicts and complications in the nation's quest for artistic independence and autonomy? Indeed, is there such a thing as American art and if so, what makes a work of art typically American?

Join me to discover some of the richness and variety of America's artistic heritage, from early English portraits in the Colonial period to American trailblazers Whistler, Sargent and beyond.
(NB: This is a repeat class from 2010)
Note: 9 weeks only, starts 11th October.

top of the page

ARTA 02: CAMBRIDGE COLLEGE GARDENS

Leaders: Desmond FitzGerald & Sue Procter          
Day and time: Monday 2.00 - 3.30                       
Terms: Autumn (6 wks), spring, summer.            
Number of places: 20
The course offers a comprehensive exploration of many of the college gardens which have inspired countless generations of residents and visitors.  The tours are usually led by the Head Gardeners who know the most about the gardens and their history.  We start the Spring term on 5th March and extend the course beyond the end of the Summer term to enable us to see the gardens at their best.
Note: There will be a meeting on 3rd October at 2pm in Room 1, 27-28 Bridge Street when the programme for the Autumn term will be given out.

top of the page

ARTA 03: EARLY RENAISSANCE TO BAROQUE

Tutor: Karen Hunter – MA (CANTAB)
Day and time: Wednesday 2.00 - 3.30
Venue: Room 1, 27-28 Bridge Street
Terms: Autumn, spring (6 weeks not whole of February).
Number of places: 30
A talk - with slides - of Western Art from Early Masters (Giotto) to High Baroque (Rubens - Rembrandt). No prior knowledge needed, but participation very welcome.

top of the page

ARTA 04: EDUCATING SENIORITA

Co-ordinator: Elizabeth Newlands                       
Day and time: Thursday 2.00 - 4.00                     
Venue: TBA
Terms: Autumn, spring.                                       
Number of places: 20
This course is for the curious, for people who would like to explore and develop their interest in the many sides of the contemporary arts. We will have fun and stimulation by participating in visits to exhibitions to plays and to films, within and around Cambridge. We listen to music, occasionally we read a book related to the current topic.
Most events will have a talk on the event activity, reading material connected to it and always, always, always at the end of each event there will be discussion. We do this either at the venue itself, a local bar or cafe. Some events are in our homes. It takes some effort, but it’s very worthwhile.
Lots of retired people finally have time available to indulge in filling in gaps in their education and the inclination to explore them.  Like Rita the effort has to be made, and the steps taken; and the reward will be immense.  So with our grey hairs (or whatever colour today brings) or our thinning thatch, Educating Seniorita is born.
It is about having FUN, about being there, participating in, researching, discussing, admitting ignorance, exploring whatever we want, however we want, making mistakes, and enjoying it!  It is about taking our sixties, seventies, eighties head on and EDUCATING SENIORITAs (with many thanks to Willy Russell)
Above all, we want to enjoy ourselves. We don’t need to worry about not knowing things, making mistakes. In Educating Seniorita, there are no limits!
Male and female Seniors welcome.

top of the page

ARTA 05: GREAT VENTURES

Lecturer: Dr Ron Gray
Day and time: Thursday 11.00 - 12.00                 
Venue: Queens' Building, Emmanuel College
Terms: Autumn.                                                  
Number of places: 140
Stonehenge, Carnac (France), Karnak (Egypt), The Parthenon, St. Sophia, Chartres, Florence Baptistery, The Sistine Chapel, and so on - the idea is to compare great buildings and paintings etc. that have pulled people together, or expressed a common purpose or belief.  May include Canary Wharf, the British Museum, Rembrandt's 'Night Watch'.  It's early days yet, but that's the rough idea. 
Note: Starts 6th October.

top of the page

ARTA 06: WHAT DID THE ARTS & CRAFTS MOVEMENT DO FOR THE BAUHAUS

Co-ordinators: Patricia Wyman
Day and time: Tuesday 3.10 - 4.40                      
Venue: Room 4, 27-28 Bridge Street
Terms: Autumn, spring.                                       
Number of places: 15
The core of this material will be the social, political and artistic components of the Arts and Crafts Movement rising from the changing society of the 19th century and leading into the aspirations and conditions of the 20th century.
It influenced not only the structure of mid to late 19th century society, but also stimulated radical changes in the roles of both men and women. This era produced the base on which the twentieth century grew.  It was a contentious, fiery period with personalities both male and female whose character, stubbornness and vision influenced not only their own society but those of Europe and America.  Art and Architecture were pivotal to these changes as were the artists, craftsmen and women without whose energy and imagination nothing would have come to fruition.  We will exercise our minds and imagination, use our energy and time to realise the astounding legacy that they left for us to enjoy, wonder at, appreciate and possibly inspire us to bring our individual contribution to life.
Students should have a lively interest in the subject as active participation will be encouraged.  General reading about both Arts and Crafts Movement and Bauhaus would be helpful.

top of the page

ARTA 07: EDUCATING SENIORITA 2

Repeat of ARTA 04.

top of the page

ARTA 08: EMMANUEL COLLEGE, SEEN FROM INSIDE (SPRING TERM)

Tutor: Dr Ron Gray
Day and Time: Tuesday 11.00 – 12.00
Venue: Queen’s Building, Emmanuel College
Terms: Spring - 4 weeks only
No. of places: 120
Four lectures beginning on Thursday 19th January at 11am in the Queen’s Building, Emmanuel College.
These lectures have not been announced in the annual programme.
They will illustrate with slides the history, architecture, gardens and distinguished members and achievements with slides of some of the present fellows, members and staff, and explanations of the relationship between the college and the university and city in changing times.  Final lecture 9 February.

top of the page