PAST VISITS AND TRIPS
Day Trips
Day Visit to Dulwich Picture Gallery
With The Arts Society Sherborne
BERTHE MORISOT: Shaping Impressionism
Day Visit by Coach: TUESDAY 27 JUNE 2023

VISIT REPORT
In preparation for the visit to the Berthe Morisot exhibition ‘Shaping Impressionism’ Jenny Newman organised an afternoon for all participants to hear two supporting presentations: Julian Halsby spoke about Berthe’s life and her relationships with other impressionists and Jenny’s talk was specifically related to the exhibition. We were all set up and ready for our visit.
Forty -nine art lovers, A.S and U3A members, left early on a coach for London on the morning of 27th June. On arrival we split into two groups – one to visit the Morisot Exhibition before lunch and then have a guided visit to the Dulwich Gallery permanent collection later and vice-versa.
The guide’s tour of the Permanent Collection was excellent, she told us that during the closure over the pandemic the gallery had been redecorated and reorganised. I believe she talked mainly about the Linham bequest which included works by Gainsborough, Rubens Poussin and Canaletto. I spotted an Anthony van Dyk painting (1633) related to Sherborne. It was ‘Venetia, Lady Digby on her Deathbed’, apparently her husband Sir Kenelm Digby, who had married her in secret as his family did not approve, was so devastated when she suddenly died eight years later that he called van Dyck to paint the beauty of her corpse which he did on the second day after her passing.
The Morisot Exhibition was extremely well curated and consisted of early and later paintings and chalk and pastel sketches which were often displayed alongside the work of artists who had influenced or inspired her. There were many touching feminine subjects displayed. I was fascinated by Berthe Morisot’s relationship to Edouard Manet who became her brother-in-law after her marriage to Eugene Manet.
It was an uneventful journey home and we all had plenty to think about. Many thanks to all who contributed to making this a stimulating and enjoyable visit with The Sherborne Arts Society.
Jane Findley
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Roche Court Sculpture Park
Day trip on Wednesday 22 June 2022
Members visited the New Art Centre at Roche Court on a glorious summer’s day in June when everything was still green. We were able to explore the park and gardens in the company of an excellent guide.
We were greeted by Lady Bessborough who had founded the New Art Centre in London’s Sloane St in 1958. Her vision of encouraging young artists had continued and expanded at Roche Court which now welcomes visitors to exhibitions of contemporary art in a wonderful outdoor setting as well as four contemporary galleries.
There were small porcelain installations by Edmund de Waal, large scale sculptures by Anthony Caro, Peter Randall-Page, Anthony Gormley, and Michael Craig-Martin, land art by Richard Long, and amongst these a huge variety of works by lesser known artists. Some were challenging, some disturbing, some amusing, all demanded our attention.
LONGFORD castle
Day trip on Friday 22 April 2022

Our 2 hour guided tour of the house was split into 2 groups of 20 and was followed by a short visit to the formal gardens. The 16th century castle contains many great art works including portraits by Reynolds and Gainsborough and some historic furniture. The Earl of Radnor’s family have been partnered with the National Gallery for many years.
The visit was followed by an excellent buffet lunch in the nearby Radnor Arms.
After lunch the coach dropped us near to the Cathedral Close in Salisbury where there were opportunities to visit the Salisbury Museum, the cathedral or the National Trust Mompesson House
Several members opted for the shops!.

Highclere castle
Our visit to the Castle was unguided although there were room guides. The ticket also included access to the Egyptian Exhibition; the fifth Earl of Carnarvon excavated Tutankhamen’s tomb with Howard Carter in 1922. The gardens are extensive and visiting was included with our entrance ticket.
“VIRTUAL” Visit
The BANQUETING HOUSE, Whitehall
Organised jointly with The Arts Society Dorset County
“I really enjoyed it- the subject & the lecturer & the history & the pictures & the ceiling!! -all excellent!”
Residential visits
Jerusalem 2019
RESIDENTIAL Visit to Glasgow
With The Arts Society Sherborne
7 to 12 November 2022

Glasgow has a remarkable range of art galleries and world class museums and is synonymous with the Arts and Crafts movement. During our 6 day tour, based at the iconic Grand Central hotel in the heart of the city, we visit major art galleries including the Hunterian, Kelvingrove Art Gallery and museum and the Burrell Collection. We also enjoy a trip through the Ayrshire countryside to Dumfries House and Estate, renowned for its impressive collection of 18th century furniture.
Proposed programme
Monday 7 November 2022
Travel to Glasgow
Fly from Bristol to Glasgow and transfer to Voco Grand Central Hotel.

Tuesday 8 November 2022
am: Burrell Collection
pm: Free
The newly reopened Burrell Collection comprises a collection of 9000 objects from all around the world bequeathed to the city of Glasgow in 1944 by Sir William Burrell. Highlights include a significant collection of Chinese Art, one of the finest collections of tapestries in the world, Roman Sculpture and paintings by 19th century French artists.
The afternoon is free and offers an opportunity to visit to the House for an Art Lover, built according to drawings Mackintosh drafted for a design competition in 1900. The stunning interiors are packed with fine art. Or visit the Willow Tea Rooms, designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh.

Wednesday 9 November 2022
am: Hill House
pm: Hunterian Museum and Mackintosh House
Hill House was created by Mackintosh and his wife Margaret and has stunning interiors. The house is currently undergoing external renovation and clad in a unique steel ’box’, allowing visitors to enjoy the sumptuous interiors and use the walkways around and over the roof of the house.
After lunch we visit the Hunterian Museum – this leading University museum is the largest single holding of the work of Charles Rennie Mackintosh and James McNeill Whistler. The Mackintosh House is also included, which has the reassembled interiors from his Glasgow home.

Thursday 10 November 2022
Kelvingrove Museum
The Kelvingrove Museum and Art Gallery , an architectural gem, opened in 1901 and is a firm favourite with locals and visitors alike. The 22 galleries exhibit collections from art to animals and ancient Egypt to Charles Rennie Mackintosh. There is an impressive collection of French 19th century paintings including works by Monet, Gauguin and Renoir. Further highlights are Rembrandt’s ‘Man in Armour’, ‘Christ and the Adulteress’ by Titian and Salvador Dali’s ‘Christ of St John of the Cross’. The Scottish art collection includes paintings by the Scottish Colourists and the Glasgow Boys.

Friday 11 November 2022
Dumfries House
Dumfries House was built in the 1750’s by John and Robert Adam for William Dalrymple, 5th Earl of Dumfries and remained in the family until 2007, when the 7th marquess sold it the nation. It was saved by a consortium headed by Prince Charles who purchased it for 45 million pounds after years of uncertainty and to avoid the risk of the furniture being auctioned off to private bidders. Its purchase came with a 2000 acre estate, a 500-tree Arboretum and the magnificent five-acre Queen Elizabeth Walled Garden. We have a tour of the house, including the magnificent collection of 18th century tapestries, picture gallery and elegant rooms. There is an outstanding collection of 18th century furniture including some of Thomas Chipperfield’s finest works. Lunch and refreshments are available at The Coach house stables at the heart of the Dumfries estate.

Saturday 12 November 2022
Riverside Museum
Return flight to Bristol
The Riverside Museum was designed by internationally renowned architect, Dame Zaha Hadid. It opened in 2011 after a four-year build, with over 3,000 objects from the city’s world-famous collections displayed inside. Located at the junction of the Rivers Kelvin and Clyde, it houses the city’s fabulous transport and technology collections, which have been gathered over the centuries and which reflect the important part Glasgow has played in the world through its contributions to heavy industries like shipbuilding, train manufacturing and engineering. The museum has an incredible array of objects from skateboards and vintage cars to prams and powerful locomotives and it is even possible to walk down an old cobbled Glasgow street with shops dating from 1895 to the 1980s. The Tall Ship, Glenlee, the UK’s only floating Clyde-built sailing ship is berthed outside the museum and also free to enter as part of the visit.
We continue to the airport for our homeward flight to Bristol.

Accommodation
Voco Grand Central Hotel (4 Star)
Located at Glasgow Central Station, within walking distance of Princes square and Argyll Square, the award-winning Voco Grand Central, Glasgow is an iconic hotel set within Glasgow’s shopping district. The historic building dates back to 1883 and has original features including the grand staircase and the magnificent Champagne Central Bar with its domed ceiling and marble floor. The elegant Tempus Restaurant & Bar serves both traditional and local specialities, made from seasonal local produce as well as a varied cocktail menu. Deli Central offers fresh, light snacks in a relaxed environment. Bedrooms all feature a flat-screen TV, a laptop safe, bedside USB connections, bespoke art and an iron. A full Scottish breakfast is served each morning and a set 3 course dinner is included in the tour price.

