A new series of day schools, short courses and study tours for those with an interest in art history begins this October at the University of Bristol.
The 2003-2004 History of Art Continuing Education programme covers many aspects of art history from medieval times to the present day. It will explore individual artists as diverse as Titian, Paul Gauguin and Frida Kahlo, and subjects such as Garden History, Pre-Columbian and Asian art, Medieval church architecture and Art Deco in Britain.
Events are open to everyone and require no specialist knowledge of the subject. They take place throughout the region, including some 60 courses in Wiltshire, Gloucestershire and Somerset.
One of the highlights is a day of talks at the Holburne Museum, Great Pulteney Street, Bath on Monday 20 October 2003 to mark the museum’s current exhibition, Every Look Speaks: The Genius of Garrick. An international panel of speakers will discuss the exhibition’s portraits of David Garrick, the 18th century actor who was painted more frequently than any man of his time. The course fee of £18 also includes a guided tour of the exhibition.
A series of Bristol-based events, held at the Old Baptist College, 43 Woodland Road, includes ‘primer’ day schools, run in collaboration with Arnolfini arts centre and devoted to key themes in contemporary art. Figuring Authorship and Originality on Saturday 25 October 2003 will explore how contemporary art aspires to be entirely 'new' and yet still owes a debt to earlier work, and Art Theory/Art Practice on Saturday 29 November 2003 will consider the relationship between theory, practice and critical understanding in contemporary art. These courses cost £18 each and run from 10am to 4pm.
In 2004, a number of study tours and summer schools will provide exciting opportunities to visit beautiful locations across Britain and Europe, and study art in context.
Patronage and Piety: Medieval Art and Architecture of the West Country, a five day non-residential course based in Bristol, will explore local medieval cultural centres including Wells Cathedral, the Cathedral and St Mary Redcliffe in Bristol, Gloucester Cathedral, Tewkesbury Abbey, and the parish churches of Somerset. The visits will provide opportunities to study wall paintings, stained glass and alabasters, as well as the styles and construction methods of medieval architecture. The course costs £225 (including all transport to site visits) and runs from Monday 12 July to Friday 16 July 2004.
Mackintosh’s Glasgow, a five day residential course in Glasgow, will explore the innovative contribution to modern architecture made by Charles Rennie Mackintosh, the Glasgow-born architect who blended Scottish traditions with Art Nouveau to create ‘The Glasgow Style’ in the early twentieth century. The tour will visit a number of Mackintosh buildings including his own home, Hill House, the Lighthouse, the House of an Art Lover and the Glasgow School of Art. The course costs £325 (including hotel, entrance fees and transport to Hill House) and runs from Wednesday 31 March to Sunday 4 April 2004.
Art Treasures of Tuscany, a nine day residential course centred in Florence, will explore the wealth of Renaissance altarpieces, fresco paintings and architecture for which Tuscany is deservedly famous. Excursions to Arezzo, Lucca and Pisa will provide a unique opportunity to see artworks and architecture in situ. The course costs £840 (including return flights and bed and breakfast accommodation) and runs from Thursday 15 April to Friday 23 April 2004.
Dr Claire O’Mahony, Director of Programmes for History of Art Continuing Education at the University said: "We hope this exciting and varied programme of lectures, courses and tours will provide something to interest everyone, whether you have been an art lover for years or you want to study the history of art for the first time with us. The University is eager to share its wealth of knowledge and expertise to stimulate interest in the history of art, encouraging everybody to enjoy art."
Further information is available from Dr Claire O’Mahony, History of Art Continuing Education, University of Bristol, 43 Woodland Road, Bristol BS8 1UU on 0117 331 1197
To make a booking, call 0117 928 7844 or fax: 0117 928 8806