21
January 2026

The Art of the Cartoonist

The Arts Society Burghley
Wednesday, January 21, 2026 - 10:45
The Ballroom, Stamford Arts Centre
27 St. Mary's Street Stamford PE9 2DL
Online Event

Harry will be tracing the history of his profession and drawing live

Harry Venning has been a professional cartoonist for over thirty years, during which time he has provided cartoons for several high profile UK publications (The Guardian, Radio Times) as well as for countless more obscure titles (British Journal Of Wound Care).

He was awarded UK Strip Cartoonist Of The Year for his Guardian strip Clare In The Community, which he adapted into a Sony Award winning Radio 4 sitcom starring Sally Phillips.

In The Art Of The Cartoonist Harry will be tracing the history of his profession through the work of artists who have made an impact upon language, culture, history, and most importantly, upon him.

These include James Gillray, Charles Schulz, Herje ( Georges Remi), Posy Simmonds and Ronald Searle.

Harry will also be drawing live. Prepare to hear some tricks of his trade, learn where to put eyebrows for maximum effect, learn what a plewd is and when you should use it, and discover exactly what the Eskimo brothers said in The Funniest Joke Ever (possibly).

THE ARTS SOCIETY ACCREDITED LECTURER

Mr Harry Venning

Harry Venning is a cartoonist, comedy writer and performer based in Brighton. Harry’s cartoons have appeared in publications as diverse as Mathematics Today, Radio Times, Music Teacher and The Stage. For twenty five years he provided The Guardian with the weekly strip cartoon Clare In The Community, about an unaware and empathy free social worker. In 2004 he developed Clare In The Community into a successful BBC Radio 4 sitcom starring Sally Philipps which ran for twelve series. When not at a desk , Harry tours his cartoon workshop around schools, theatres, arts centres, cruise ships and festivals. He is an accredited lecturer with the UK Arts Society, an Honorary Fellow of the English/Creative Writing departments of Aberystwyth University, resident cartoonist with the Blue Hat team building organisation, UK Social Workers Union honorary ambassador, winner of a Sony Radio Award for Comedy and a former UK Strip Cartoonist Of The Year. He cannot draw hands or horses.