Arts Society Borders

30/04/2026

Next Lecture: Tuesday 12th May
Peter Bourdillon 'Dresden's Amazing Green Vaults'

The green vaults of Dresden- 'Schatzkammer', literally 'Treasure Chamber'. These hoards of rare, valuable, fascinating and wondrous objects are to be found in many principalities and date from medieveal times. Acquired sometimes as diplomatic gifts, sometimes plunder, sometimes even by purchase or commission, these multifarious pieces came to represent not only backing for local currency, but to enhance the splendour/prestige of the court of which Augustus the Strong's is the premier example.

24/02/2026

24/02/2026

Our next lecture is on 3rd March, 2026 entitled:
'Winterhalter and Worth' with
Scott Schiavone.

German born Winterhalter painted the rich, powerful and fashionable courts of the 19th century Europe. English couturier Worth set up his salon in Paris in 1858 and soon became official couturier to the Empress Eugenie.
Though they may not have worked directly together, their shared list of clients meant that one depicted the finest and most luxurious fabrics in paint, and the other sculpted these fabrics into ethereal gowns for the elite, who were frequently painted in them

05/02/2026

05/02/2026

Our next lecture is Tuesday 17th February.

John Vigar: 'Little known treasures in Norfolk churches'.

Norfolk is the finest county in England in which to study medieval churches. Over 650 medieval church buildings survive, the vast majority still in use. This lecture looks at bizarre and surprising details to be found in these churches that might be missed by a casual visitor.

11/12/2025

Next Lecture: Tuesday, 20th January, 2026

Vermeer Film

Vermeer was the enigmatic master of paint, who lived in Delft between 1632 and 1675. Only 35 paintings by Vermeer survive, of which 28 were loaned to the Rijksmuseum for its sold out, once in a lifetime exhibition in 2023. The film offers a privileged and in-depth view of the paintings, accompanied by the director of the museum and the curators of the show.

30/10/2025

Next lecture: Tuesday 4th November. 10:30am at The Tait Hall, Kelso.

Richard Whincop- ‘Sicily: Cultural Cross Roads’

This lecture looks at the rich and varied cultural influences brought to the island by Greeks, Phoenicians, Romans, Byzantines, Visigoths and Islamic tribes from North Africa.

All welcome. Non members can come and try our lectures for free for their first visit. Teas and coffees served before the lecture.

18/09/2025

Our next lecture will be Tuesday 21st October at The Tait Hall, Kelso. 10.30am

Barry Venning 'Cartoons and Contraptions': The Wonderful World of W Heath Robinson'

A look into Heath Robinson's famous drawings of everyday tasks such as potato peeling, wart removal or pancake making. Some of the contraptions in Wallace & Gromit are based on a scale model of a gadget filled house he made for the Ideal Home Show in 1934.

Tea and coffee will be served before the lecture. Non- members are most welcome to come along. £10/lecture for non-members.

11/09/2025

🌟 Please Share 🌟

Next lecture Tuesday, 16th September, Tait Hall, Kelso. 10:30am.

Alison Barker
'An Italian St George in England; Torrigiano and Henry VII's Lady Chapel.

At the far east end of Westminster Abbey stands a bronze grille enclosure containing the tomb of Henry VII. Pietro Torrigiano, a Florentine artist was invited to England by Henry VIII to create a magnificent tomb for his father.

Non-members are most welcome to come along to our lectures. £10 per person payable at the door. Please come along and find out what our brilliant Arts Society is all about. Tea and coffee served before lecture.