Our group’s aim is to talk about art from all periods, all genres, and any medium. New members start with as little as a one - minute talk about a single art image, on what they know about the item, the artist, or even just why they have chosen this image. They can increase their talk and number of images, if and when they feel confident to do so, but all members talk at each monthly session.

No previous experience is required, just a wish to be involved in learning and talking about art.

You choose the image/subject/artist and you will get help in finding out about it. The item/s chosen will be put into a slide presentation, and shown on a large screen for you, to assist your talk.

Since March 2025, we have heard about Ancient Egyptian frescoes, and a Mesopotamian Artefact from 2500 BC. Short talks on portraits, including Queen Elizabeth I, Popes by Velasquez and Raphael, and the works of Bristol born, Bath resident and President of the Royal Academy, Sir Thomas Lawrence. Our talks also had talks on works in Galleries, including Seville and Scottish Colourists and the Glasgow boys, and Rembrandt’s Nightwatch at the Rijksmuseum. Later works included Turner, Frith, and Botanist Explorer Marianne North and her works on show at Kew Gardens. The Impressionists and post Impressionists Artists included Van Gogh, Derain, Matisse, Braque, Magritte and Rodin. Modern artists were also represented, including Lucien Freud, Hopper, Anthony Gormley, Norman Rockwell, Andy Goldsworthy, and portrait painter Colin Davidson.

January's variety of talks included Peter Doig, Tizah Garwood, Francisco de Zurburan, The Glasgow Boys and Katsushika Hokusai.

Artists in February included Veneto, Peter de Hooch, Salvador Dali, Artemesia Gentileschi, Seurat, American  Impressionist Childe Hassan, and British Etching and Engraver, Norman Ackroyd, with an exhibition at the VAG from 22 May. 

March and April talks included Stanley Spencer's Sandham Memorial Chapel, Durer's Self Portraits, Banksy, Ruskin, Carpaccio, Piero della Francesca,Simone Martini, Chardin, Rouseau, Chardin, Fabritus, Kandinsky, Poussin, and Herbert La Thange's Watersplash from the VAG. Also included was Yinka Shonibare's Nelson's Ship in a Bottle for the fourth plinth in Trafalgar Square and some of his art including African textile designs.

May talks included Van Eyck's Arnolfini Portrait, Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Renoir, Paul Klee, John Piper, Whistler's Watercolours, Gerrit Dou, and the amazing Friedensreich Hundertwasser's, designs, art, and buildings.

If you want to be involved in talking about and learning about art and art history, contact Mike Carr at mpcarr1@yahoo.co.uk or via the Enquiry link at the top of this page. Non-members should contact the Groups Advisers for more information.