Lecture 14 January 2026 Wilde about Oscar: famous for being famous and infamous by Simon Whitehouse

A frosty morning in January did not deter members and visitors to the Horsham Arts Society’s first lecture of the year. Most of us know about Oscar Wilde’s life, his rise to fame as a playwright, his witticisms and his tragic demise. However, as with all great stories, it is the way they are told and we were totally captivated by our knowledgeable and vivacious raconteur Simon Whitehouse.

What a welcome! New Members Coffee Morning

What a welcome! Coffee and cake at the Hydro Hotel!!!

The only thing larger than the slices of delicious cake this morning was the size of the welcome new members were given in the Drawing Room of the Hydro Hotel by the Eastbourne Arts Society committee.

Stepping into the warm of the hotel reception from the cold,crisp but sunny morning, I was greeted by Maggie who was showing new members where to put their coats and inviting them to sport a name badge.

Newsletter January 2026

Our December local lecturer, Olaf Winkler, journalist, architecture critic, guide and artist, introduced his lecture with a presentation of the book Bruxelles Art Deco by Cecile Dubois, which gives seven walks which you can do on foot or by bike to discover the many different aspects of Art Deco and modernist architecture in various neighbourhoods throughout Brussels.

The Arts Society Mallorca Launches Art Fusion

To further strengthen our connection with the island’s vibrant art scene, the Arts Society Mallorca is delighted to launch Art Fusion, a new platform showcasing the work of local artists across multiple genres. The inaugural exhibition will take place on 26 February at the SkyLight Gallery of Hotel Artmadams.

Trip to Budapest

More than twenty members of our Arts Society flew out in October 2025 for a short but fascinating trip discovering the rich cultural city of Budapest.

KNOWSLEY HALL MARKS 25 YEARS OF DEDICATION FROM ARTS SOCIETY MEMBERS

Knowsley Hall

Visit to the Gurdwara in Gravesend

We are delighted to announce that a visit for members of the Arts Society to the Gravesend Gurdwara has been arranged for Tuesday 20th January 2026 from 1.30pm to 4pm.

The visit will include a guided tour, a talk and the opportunity to ask questions. Refreshments will also be provided.

The visit will be led by volunteers from the Gurdwara and there is no charge. However, donations are welcome and we would suggest a donation of £2 - £5 per head.

Cockpit Arts and Michael Edgeworth, Classical Guitar Maker

Cockpit Arts and the Greater London Area (GLA) Award

The GLA have been awarding a bursary each year for a maker at Cockpit since 2016. We have been able to spread these over a wide range of techniques and ages. We see the importance of encouraging those who are capable in their field, but need expertise and advice not only to develop their making skills, but also to develop business skills. Cockpit offers both the space to work and the business coaching, which is so vital. All of our previous recipients have prospered.

2 Great Museums: Valencia Art & Culture Trip on 20 November 2025

Members' Invitation: Art Excursion to Valencia –
Two World-Class Museums
Thursday, 20 November 2025

Join us for an inspiring day in Valencia exploring two outstanding museums:
The Museum of Fine Arts of Valencia (MuBAV) – featuring the new exhibition Classics and Moderns: Masterpieces from the BBVA Collection – and the Centre de Arte Hortensia Herrero, home to one of Spain’s finest contemporary art collections.

Gothic Grandeur vs. Modern Masterpiece: our visit to Liverpool

The Arts Society Chester visited both Liverpool cathedrals on Tuesday Nov 4th. Pam and Madeleine did us proud with 3 interesting guided tours and a tasty soup-and-sandwich lunch! While both cathedrals were completed in the last century, their history and style were very different.

mural