South Solihull u3a Art Appreciation Group
Coordinator: Pam Latham Telephone : 01564 77 2133
When: Monthly (Normally 1st Wednesday in each month), at 14:00h
Where: Spring & Summer: Art related visits. Autumn & Winter: Jubilee Room at British Legion Hall, Warwick Rd. Knowle.
When: Monthly (Normally 1st Wednesday in each month), at 14:00h
Where: Spring & Summer: Art related visits. Autumn & Winter: Jubilee Room at British Legion Hall, Warwick Rd. Knowle.
INTRODUCTION
The Art Appreciation Group was established in January 2012. The aim of the group is to promote interest and knowledge in all aspects of art including painting, sculpture, glass, ceramics and jewellery. This is achieved by visiting a variety of art related places of interest during Spring and Summer months and talks and discussions during Autumn and Winter.
Spring and Summer events are usually held on 1st Wednesday in each month. Autumn and Winter events are held in Jubilee Room at British Legion Hall in Knowle. Events are planned well in advance and full details are sent to members by email 4 weeks before each event.
Light refreshments are usually included in our events making them both educational and social occasions.
Anyone who is interested in joining this large, friendly group should contact Pam Latham by email at pam.latham@virginmedia.com or Telephone: 01564 77 2133
The Art Appreciation Group was established in January 2012. The aim of the group is to promote interest and knowledge in all aspects of art including painting, sculpture, glass, ceramics and jewellery. This is achieved by visiting a variety of art related places of interest during Spring and Summer months and talks and discussions during Autumn and Winter.
Spring and Summer events are usually held on 1st Wednesday in each month. Autumn and Winter events are held in Jubilee Room at British Legion Hall in Knowle. Events are planned well in advance and full details are sent to members by email 4 weeks before each event.
Light refreshments are usually included in our events making them both educational and social occasions.
Anyone who is interested in joining this large, friendly group should contact Pam Latham by email at pam.latham@virginmedia.com or Telephone: 01564 77 2133
PROPOSED FUTURE EVENTS
Proposed future events include Banksy and street art, Piet Mondrian and his work, Faberge and his work, the art of photography and a quiz based on all aspects of art.
Proposed future events include Banksy and street art, Piet Mondrian and his work, Faberge and his work, the art of photography and a quiz based on all aspects of art.
PAST EVENTS
7th JUNE 2023: Worcester Art Gallery

From the Cornish Coast to the Malvern Hills
British Impressionism from the 19th and 20th century.
Ten members from the Art Appreciation Group met at Worcester Art Gallery to listen to our guide who gave an informative lecture on the above topic. We learnt that British impressionists characteristically painted en plein air with free brushstrokes and joyful colours, focused on the interplay between working people, families at leisure and the landscapes they lived in.
This exhibition brought together works from the Worcester City collection and other galleries to celebrate the links between Worcestershire and the Newlyn School of artists who were pivotal in this magical moment in British Art.
The exhibition includes paintings by Stanhope Forbes, his wife Elizabeth and Dame Laura Knight. Camille and Lucian Pissarro represent the influence of French Impressionists.
After the lecture we were able peruse the paintings at leisure and finally adjourned to the tea room for a welcome cup of tea and cake.
The picture is Chadding on Mount’s Bay 1902. by Stanhope Forbes - It is an idyllic scene, the water is calm, the sun sparkles on their reflections in the water and the children are chadding (fishing) for herrings.
British Impressionism from the 19th and 20th century.
Ten members from the Art Appreciation Group met at Worcester Art Gallery to listen to our guide who gave an informative lecture on the above topic. We learnt that British impressionists characteristically painted en plein air with free brushstrokes and joyful colours, focused on the interplay between working people, families at leisure and the landscapes they lived in.
This exhibition brought together works from the Worcester City collection and other galleries to celebrate the links between Worcestershire and the Newlyn School of artists who were pivotal in this magical moment in British Art.
The exhibition includes paintings by Stanhope Forbes, his wife Elizabeth and Dame Laura Knight. Camille and Lucian Pissarro represent the influence of French Impressionists.
After the lecture we were able peruse the paintings at leisure and finally adjourned to the tea room for a welcome cup of tea and cake.
The picture is Chadding on Mount’s Bay 1902. by Stanhope Forbes - It is an idyllic scene, the water is calm, the sun sparkles on their reflections in the water and the children are chadding (fishing) for herrings.
MAY 2023: Birmingham Oratory

Fifteen members from Art Appreciation and Local History Group 2 visited Birmingham Oratory on Wednesday 3rd May 2023.
Our guide, David Joyce, the Oratory archivist, gave us a detailed talk about the history of the Church, the origins of the Oratory of Saint Philip Neri and an insight into the life of Cardinal John Henry Newman, who was the founder of the English Oratory in Birmingham.
According to our guide, Cardinal Newman was one of the greatest Englishmen of the 19th century, he was a man who combined a great intellect with literary gifts and personal holiness. He founded the first Oratorian Congregation in Birmingham in 1848.
The present church was finished in 1909 and consecrated in 1920 after the death of the Cardinal in 1890. The plans were drawn up by Dorian Webb and this new classical church incorporated many ornate features. Its nave is basilican in the true ancient Roman manner and is 152 feet long. The roof is tunnel-vaulted and 12 marble columns line the nave, six on each side.
After an initial address the guide took us around the oratory stopping at each of the side Alters, Shrines and Baptistry. Before each Alter hang Italian-lamps. The arches of the recesses are covered in richly coloured mosaic tiles depicting scenes from the life of the Virgin Mary. The design plans were sent out to Murano, near Venice. On completion the mosaics were brought to England and put in place by Venetian workmen in 1913. Different types of marble, onyx and alabaster adorn the church and the ceiling in the Sanctuary is decorated with Eucharistic texts and motifs from Scripture. The images of the 14 Stations of the Cross were made from richly painted Limoges enamel.
We progressed to St Philip’s Chapel, which is the last remnant of the old church and Newman often said Mass there. The Chapel contains a large number of beautiful reliquaries and interesting relics.
Finally, we were taken to Cardinal Newman’s house and museum where we saw a video tour of Newman’s room preserved as he left it when he died in 1890. In the museum itself there were many precious historical items on view such as his spectacles and Rosary Beads.
Back outside in the quiet, red brick cloisters we could only marvel at how tranquil it all is especially when the busy Hagley Road is only a few yards away.
Our guide, David Joyce, the Oratory archivist, gave us a detailed talk about the history of the Church, the origins of the Oratory of Saint Philip Neri and an insight into the life of Cardinal John Henry Newman, who was the founder of the English Oratory in Birmingham.
According to our guide, Cardinal Newman was one of the greatest Englishmen of the 19th century, he was a man who combined a great intellect with literary gifts and personal holiness. He founded the first Oratorian Congregation in Birmingham in 1848.
The present church was finished in 1909 and consecrated in 1920 after the death of the Cardinal in 1890. The plans were drawn up by Dorian Webb and this new classical church incorporated many ornate features. Its nave is basilican in the true ancient Roman manner and is 152 feet long. The roof is tunnel-vaulted and 12 marble columns line the nave, six on each side.
After an initial address the guide took us around the oratory stopping at each of the side Alters, Shrines and Baptistry. Before each Alter hang Italian-lamps. The arches of the recesses are covered in richly coloured mosaic tiles depicting scenes from the life of the Virgin Mary. The design plans were sent out to Murano, near Venice. On completion the mosaics were brought to England and put in place by Venetian workmen in 1913. Different types of marble, onyx and alabaster adorn the church and the ceiling in the Sanctuary is decorated with Eucharistic texts and motifs from Scripture. The images of the 14 Stations of the Cross were made from richly painted Limoges enamel.
We progressed to St Philip’s Chapel, which is the last remnant of the old church and Newman often said Mass there. The Chapel contains a large number of beautiful reliquaries and interesting relics.
Finally, we were taken to Cardinal Newman’s house and museum where we saw a video tour of Newman’s room preserved as he left it when he died in 1890. In the museum itself there were many precious historical items on view such as his spectacles and Rosary Beads.
Back outside in the quiet, red brick cloisters we could only marvel at how tranquil it all is especially when the busy Hagley Road is only a few yards away.
Members looking towards the Sanctuary which forms the focal point of the Church and provides the scene for the principal liturgical events of the Church year.
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The nave, leading up to the Sanctuary; the pulpit is the most prominent object and is based on that in St Mark’s, Venice. The columns are 21’ 8” long, which include the Swedish marble bases and the column’s capitals.
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DECEMBER 2022: Banksy
20 members attended the meeting for an illustrated talk about Banksy and his work. Members who were unable to attend sent their apologies and wished for an interesting and enjoyable meeting.
The talk was presented by two members of the group, and several members brought books and items related to the topic and everyone was able to examine them while enjoying tea or coffee and biscuits.
Following discussion, it was agreed that Banksy has achieved fame because his works send out a message and he is an interesting character although not all of his work is appreciated.
20 members attended the meeting for an illustrated talk about Banksy and his work. Members who were unable to attend sent their apologies and wished for an interesting and enjoyable meeting.
The talk was presented by two members of the group, and several members brought books and items related to the topic and everyone was able to examine them while enjoying tea or coffee and biscuits.
Following discussion, it was agreed that Banksy has achieved fame because his works send out a message and he is an interesting character although not all of his work is appreciated.
OCTOBER 2021: Grayson Perry - an extraordinary and articulate artist
The members met to learn about and relate their own knowledge of Grayson Perry and his art work. Pam, our coordinator, started off the meeting by reading out her notes on Perry’s early life and summarising his work as potter, artist and tapestry designer. Merryl gave us an informed discourse about the work she had seen at a number of exhibitions, clearly explaining the ideas and observations that Perry incorporates into his pieces. We had an animated discussion amongst ourselves, particularly around varying views on Grayson’s impact on changing attitudes in society. However, all were agreed that his work was very skillful and that he is a very intelligent and articulate man.
The members met to learn about and relate their own knowledge of Grayson Perry and his art work. Pam, our coordinator, started off the meeting by reading out her notes on Perry’s early life and summarising his work as potter, artist and tapestry designer. Merryl gave us an informed discourse about the work she had seen at a number of exhibitions, clearly explaining the ideas and observations that Perry incorporates into his pieces. We had an animated discussion amongst ourselves, particularly around varying views on Grayson’s impact on changing attitudes in society. However, all were agreed that his work was very skillful and that he is a very intelligent and articulate man.
15 APRIL 2018: visit to Serbian Orthodox church