Summer has arrived and with it the lure of long, lazy days outdoors. When the sun finally puts his hat on, there are many wonderful places to enjoy great art in beautiful settings this season. Living in Scotland, one of my favourites is the excellent Jupiter Artland near Edinburgh, with its permanent collection including outdoor installations by the likes of Antony Gormley, Tracey Emin, Andy Goldsworthy and Anish Kapoor. While preparing this issue of The Arts Society Magazine, I’ve also been introduced to the very appealing Goodwood Art Foundation in Sussex, which has an exciting programme for its second summer season after opening last year, including a headline show dedicated to celebrated American land artist Nancy Holt. 

The pleasures and potential of summer are a running theme through this issue of your magazine, from the joys of mudlarking on the Thames to a deep dive into John Constable’s relationship with the season thanks to Arts Society Accredited Lecturer, Constable specialist and Tate curator Nicola Moorby. And where better to head for a summer show than glorious Glyndebourne, where William Kentridge’s unique take on Monteverdi’s L’Orfeo will be showing this season. We were privileged to have the opportunity to talk to the artist and director for this issue, and you can read Sue Herdman’s interview with Kentridge on page 16.

Regular readers will note that there are two new features in this issue of The Arts Society Magazine: The List on page 11, where we outline some key anniversaries, openings and special events for the season; and Object Lessons on page 66, where The Arts Society President Hilary Kay provides her unique insights into a notable work – for our first instalment that’s Joseph Wright of Derby’s unforgettable An Experiment on a Bird in the Air Pump, currently showing in the city of Derby as part of Wright of Derby: From the Shadows. It’s well worth a visit.

Emily Rodway, Editor