Tonight’s lecture is given by Professor Peter Andrews, Hon Research Fellow at Bristol University (Anthropology and Archaeology) – and a member of The Friends of Bristol Art Gallery -  whose talk is intriguingly entitled  ’3-ways to Furnish a Tent’.

Among the nomadic peoples of the Middle East, 3 groups of Turkish speaking people in different parts of Iran produce outstanding woven rugs and textiles. All have high quality skills in design and weaving, and each group produces its own designs and styles. Peter will illustrate and contrast the styles of textile designs and tent furnishings from his own fieldwork in Iran in the 1970s.

Notes: 1) after the lecture the draw will be made to find the winner of the bottle of champagne for sending in a completed Membership Survey; 2) originally the date of this lecture was shown as 18 February which was incorrect

(This item updated 29 November 2010)

Centring around the city of Venice, the exhibition is entitled Venice: Canaletto and His Rivals, and features work by other 18th century artists such as Luca Carlevarijs, Michele Marieschi, Bernado Bellotto and Francesco Guardi, covering the period from 1707 to 1793.

Full details and a booking form were in the November Bulletin.  This excursion is nearly full, so if you want to come, return your completed booking form to Margaret Bell as soon as possible.

(This item updated on 9 December 2010)

The first lecture of the New Year will be given by Jacqueline Ansell who will talk to us about Canaletto.

Jacqueline is a National Gallery freelance lecturer, and was previously their full time Education Officer.  She is also a lecturer for Christie’s Education and the Open University.

There will an excursion to the Canaletto Exhibition two days later on Saturday 8 January — see next entry.

(This item first added on 22 July 2010).

DIAGHILEV and the GOLDEN AGE OF BALLETS RUSSES 1909-1929

This major autumn exhibition explores the world of the influential artistic director, Serge Diaghilev and the most exciting dance company of the twentieth century.     

This excursion is full
(This item updated on 25 November 2010)

PAUL GAUGUIN:  Maker of Myth

This is the first important Gauguin exhibition in Britain for 50 years.   It features paintings and drawings of this master French Post-Impressionist from around the world.   His sumptuous, colourful images of women in Tahiti and beautiful landscape paintings of Brittany are some of the most popular icons in Modern art.

This exhibition explores the role of the myths around the man – Gauguin as storyteller, painting himself as a Christ-like figure or even a demon in his own paintings, religious and mythical symbols in his work, and the manipulation of his own artistic identity.

There are just 4 places left for this excursion.  Hurry,  phone Margaret on 01454413578 if you want a place.

(This item updated on 20 October 2010)

Welcome to Bristol’s City Record Office, your access to over 800 years of Bristol’s historic archives.   Owing to limited space in the strong rooms, only 8 Friends can be accommodated on a tour.   Three tours will be available from 10 a.m. at about 50 minute intervals and you will be allocated on a first-come basis.   If there is a strong demand, another visit can be arranged later.

The three tours on this date are all full.

(Updated on 9 September 2010)

Rousham, near Bicester, is the greatest achievement of William Kent who was commissioned in 1738 to remodel the house and grounds.

We are privileged to have a special tour of the house and introduction to the famous garden by the owner, Charles Cottrell-Dormer.

Please note that this excursion is already full

(Last updated 1 June 2010)

Don’t forget the Extraordinary/ Annual General Meeting on Tuesday next week starting at 6.30pm in the Rear Hall of the Museum!  Doors open at 6.00pm.

(Last updated 28 June 2010)

This popular annual event takes place at Trinity College on Wednesday 21 July 2010 starting with the Lecture at 12 noon, followed by lunch at 1.00pm.

Pamela Halford has agreed to address us again this time on ‘Painted People – plain, pleasing or puzzling, the intriguing story of Portraiture’.

75 members have already booked for this, but there is room for more.  Let Carol Lear know soon if you want to come!

(updated on 28 June 2010)