Monthly Arts Society lectures take place at the Civic Centre, Carlton on the first Wednesday of every month. Members of the Society also enjoy two extra Special Interest days, three lectures on a specific topic, newsletters, a national magazine, a coach holiday and days out to local places of interest. Some members recently enjoyed a holiday to Cardiff and a trip to a Gilbert and Sullivan production at Buxton Opera House.
The Society likes to involve local communities and has produced Trails of the local area, its churches and other special buildings.
The next lecture is on Wednesday 2nd October and is entitled ‘Postwar fashion illustration and the Artists of the day’, by speaker Connie Grey.
As the world emerged from World War II and Christian Dior introduced his revolutionary ‘new look’ in 1947, fashion illustration became pivotal to the success of a fashion industry that had to struggle to survive the war years in Europe.
Drawn by the masters of fashion illustration, their art dominated the front covers and pages of Vogue and Harpers Bazaar, with the gloriously chic interpretations of the latest looks from the haute couture houses of Paris and London. Traditionally considered to be commercial art, this genre is thought to be part of a lost School of Fine Art.
The following lecture is on Wednesday 6th November and is entitled ‘The Scoliotic Knight: Reconstructing the real Richard III’, by speaker Tobias Capwell.
Discovering the grave of King Richard III in Leicester raised many new and fascinating questions. The severe scoliosis shown by the skeleton contrasted with his skills of the knightly fighting arts, and questioned his armour worn in three major battles.
With the King’s royal legitimacy questioned, the visual trappings of nightly Kingship were used to solidify his claim, his armour used as an expressive art form, designed to radiate messages, justification and proof of the wearer’s right to rule as King.
The Society meets at the Civic Centre, Long Lane, Carlton-in-Lindrick, S81 9AP. Tea and coffee are available before the lecture, ready to start by 10.50am and lasting for approximately one hour. Free car parking is available. Members pay an annual subscription; visitors are welcome, paying at the door.
For further information, phone Caroline on 01909 531614 or Gill on 01909 540506, or visit www.theartssociety.org/Dukeries.