The Arts Society Alresford

20/10/2026

October Lecture: Tuesday 27th October ~ 2.15pm
at Itchen Abbas Village Hall

Peru: The Incas and their Predecessors seen through their Art and Textiles with Chloe Sayer

Unearthed treasures from Peru’s ancient burial grounds—dazzling gold, exquisite ceramics, and magnificent textiles – reveal rich cultural legacies. From Paracas weavers to the gold-working Moche, and enduring traditions among the Aymara and Quechua, this lecture celebrates Peru’s artistry across millennia, as shown in a display of contemporary Peruvian weaving accompanying the talk.

If you would like to become a member of The Arts Society Alresford, please find out more using the link in our bio

18/09/2026

Our next lecture is ‘Monet’s Normandy’ presented by Juliet Heslewood.

Tuesday 22nd September - 2.15pm
at Itchen Abbas Village Hall
Members only (new members welcome)

Please visit the website (link in our bio) to find out more details about our engaging lectures, and how to become a member of The Arts Society Alresford.

23/07/2026

Next Lecture - 28th July at 2.15pm
Oh, we do like to be beside the Seaside! with Ian Gledhill
at Itchen Abbas Village Hall

A light-hearted look at seaside entertainment over the years, from Bathing Machines to End of the Pier Shows and “What the Butler Saw” machines. The British seaside began with the fashion for sea bathing in the 18th century, but expanded enormously in the 19th century with the arrival of the railways and the era of mass travel.

We look at the specialist buildings which proliferated at the seaside in the 19th century, such as piers, towers and aquaria, that provided entertainment for the masses – not to mention that famous breed, the seaside landlady!

Click the link in our bio for details on becoming a member

08/06/2026

The many sides of Marilyn Monroe with John Francis
at Itchen Abbas & Avington Village Hall

Civil rights activist, feminist crusader and sexual revolutionist. She was the most exciting and powerful woman of the 20th Century. A screen goddess and cultural icon who is the symbol of our secret desires today.

In this talk we will explore how an innocent orphan from California became a manufactured “dumb blonde” while successfully manipulating the Hollywood studio system. Her marriages to other American icons in sport and in literature show us how she has today become a fascinating enigma.

Members: Free (non-members are welcome to attend a single lecture: £10 but please contact the membership secretary (details on the website).

Find out more using the link in our bio; www.theartssocietyalresford.org.uk. We welcome new members throughout the year.

HampshireEvents ItchenAbbas ArtsAndCulture LocalLecture LearningThroughArt LocalEvents SupportLocalArts

18/05/2026

Tuesday 26th May ~ 2.15pm
Sévres Porcelain with Jane Gardiner
at Itchen Abbas & Avington Village Hall

A history of the Vincennes-Sèvres factory and its productions up to the French Revolution. This lecture will begin by looking at the patronage of Louis XV and Mme. de Pompadour, the establishment of the factory in the disused royal château of Vincennes, the fashion for porcelain flowers, the development of the early ground colours, such as bleu lapis and bleu celeste and the influence of François Boucher.

The lecture will go on to discuss the move to Sèvres and the creation of a truly Royal factory, the development of the later ground colours, the royal table services, the taste for porcelain-mounted furniture and the fashion for biscuit porcelain figures.

Non-members are welcome to attend the lecture for £5 but please contact the Membership Secretary. Contact details available on our website under Joining Us - use the link in our bio

14/03/2026

March Lecture ~ Constantin Brâncuși with Rosalind Whyte

Tuesday 24th March ~ 2.15pm

Itchen Abbas Village Hall

At the beginning of his career, Romanian sculptor Brâncuși spent a couple of months work-ing in Auguste Rodin’s studio, leaving because of his conviction that “Nothing can grow under big trees.” Breaking out from beneath Rodin’s shadow, he became one of the most influential sculptors of the 20th-century and a pioneer of modernism.

His work was so radical and simplified that it caused controversy, not least when American customs officials refused to accept his Bird in Space as a work of art at all! We will explore his life and career and feature some of his key works.

Members: Free
Non Members: £10 (up to 3 visits per year)

Why not become a member, use the link in our bio to find out more or email [email protected]

14/03/2026

February Lecture… 200 Years of Valentine with John Scott

Tuesday 24 February 2026
Itchen Abbas Village Hall ~ 2pm

At some stage in their life most of us have received or sent a valentine card. While enthusiasm for such a romantic gesture has fluctuated over the years, the symbolism has remained enduring.

This talk explores the expressions of roses, hearts and cupids as depicted by generations of engravers and concludes with the satirical and elaborate confections of the late Victorian era.

18/01/2026

Our next lecture...

Fire and Water: the rivalry of Turner and Constable with Matthew Morgan

Tuesday 27th January 2026

Two artists developed radically opposing approaches to the emotive power of landscape painting in Britain in the early 19th Century. One was dramatic, bombastic and fiery, intending to provoke powerful emotions and elevated thoughts. The other was spiritual, heartfelt and closely observed, asking the viewer to react to an intense, inward and personal approach to nature.

These two artists were JMW Turner and John Constable, the leading British artists of their day. Not only did they approach painting in different ways but their lives were opposites as well. This lecture will explore their different approaches and their famous bitter rivalry.

21/11/2025

Our next members lecture… From Tchaikovsky to Tin Pan Alley with Sandy Burnett

Tuesday 25 November 2025 at Itchen Abbas and Avington Village Hall

To kick off our seasonal celebrations, musician and broadcaster Sandy Burnett is on hand to share his selection of much-loved Christmas tunes.

Expect an hour of the finest festive music from across the globe – his selections include sparkling moments from Tchaikovsky’s ballet The Nutcracker, a heartwarming ballad from Mel Tormé, something from Soweto, a heavenly chorus from Johann Sebastian Bach’s Leipzig, an illustration of the English carol tradition at its finest and something more cynical from Eartha Kitt…

15/10/2025

Really excited to have been awarded runner up with a 'Highly Commended' accreditation by the AHI (Association for Heritage Interpretation) for the Railway 200 Textile Timeline Project celebrating 200 years of railway in partnership with the Watercress Line.

Railway 200 is a country-wide celebration of 200 years of train travel.

This year-long event, starting early 2025 has involved major rail organisations, including Network Rail & the National Railway Museum - to name a few.

The Art Society Alresford has worked with the local Watercress Line community textile project through Arts Volunteering. Individual crafting enthusiasts and community groups have gathered together to create a textile timeline highlighting key dates in local railway history, such as the opening of the Mid Hants Railway 1865, the later introduction of tickets, and standardisation of time.

The completed panels which we have sponsored, have been touring local libraries and community spaces, as well as the Railway's own stations.

We are very grateful to our Arts Volunteering Co-ordinator Jane Varrall for helping to co-ordinate this project and we are delighted for the recognition this has been given.

🏆 Following last night’s celebrations at , we’re shining a light on the incredible finalists and honourees in our Community Engagement category.

Reaching this stage is a huge achievement. These outstanding projects stood out from an exceptional field 👏👏👏

Highly Commended:
⭐ The Indian Army at the Palace & Watercress Line Railway 200 Community Textile Timeline

Finalist:
⭐Tu Bije Polskie Serce (Polish Heart Beats Here)

🏆 The Touchstone Intangible Heritage Award
Recognising projects that keep cultural traditions, crafts and stories alive, ensuring they continue to be shared for generations to come.

Winner:
⭐ The Close

Highly Commended:
⭐Chá, Chai, Tea