Appreciate art through learning

Our Art History courses will give you a deeper understanding of what you're looking at. When it comes to art, everyone's has their own opinion on which artist is better than the other, and what their most famous work signifies.

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Through exploring the world of art history, you'll be learning about why pieces are made in the first place and what the pieces mean. You will also examine how that’s changed over a period of time, as well as the impact it’s had on society. 

You’ll be taught about many of the aspects from the art creation process, such as the materials used in artworks, and how different kinds of artists contribute differently in expressing their ideas through freehand drawing or digital media. 

Whether you're a seasoned art appreciator or a newbie, there's something here for everyone. From exploring art painted by Salvador Dali or learning all about the history of Nordic Art from the Viking era, we have a selection of online and in-person art history courses from different decades to choose from.  

Attend an Art History course near you  

Whether you choose to learn from the comfort of your own home, or opt for a space in your local community, you’ll be taught by a talented tutor who is an expert in their field. 

The support you’ll receive on our Art History courses

Your tutor will encourage you to develop an understanding of Art History that goes beyond what's on the surface, motivating you to truly immerse yourself in the subject. It’s our learning experience that sets us apart too, with an encouraging environment that ensures you attend each session with the excitement to learn.   

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History: Art and About: Outrage – Walking the Greenwich Park Bomb 1894

This short walk from the Greenwich Foot Tunnel entrance to the Royal Observatory traces some of the sites connected to what some have called the first act of international terrorism – the Greenwich Park Bomb Outrage of 1894 in which a young French Anarchist blew himself to pieces. Why did he do it? What was he trying to achieve and why do it in a deserted Greenwich Park in the depths of winter? What evidence of the incident now remains for us to consider and attempt to draw conclusions from? What was the explosion’s lasting impact, and does it have any modern relevance? Meet at Greenwich Foot Tunnel South Entrance, London SE10 9HT

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 13/06/2025 -
Fri 13/06/2025
Times:
10:30am - 1:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Meeting Point: Greenwich Foot Tunnel
South Entrance
London
London
SE10 9HT
Tutor:
Laurie Johnston
Course code:
Q00022030
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £12.60

Architectural Appreciation: The Glory of London’s Mainline Railway Termini

This day-school celebrates the glories in architecture and design of London’s great railway termini. It studies the wonders of early Victorian design and engineering at Paddington and King’s Cross, the late Victorian Gothic of St Pancras, through to the post-war Modernism of Euston. All of the stations are unique, their initial design and build determined by the specific requirements of the traffic they were to serve, the latest technology and materials available at the time they were built, and the ideas and practice of their engineers and architects. The course reviews the story of each of London’s 12 great termini over the last 150 years, and reveals how after a century of neglect and architectural abuse they have become treasured, better protected and sensitively enhanced in recent years.

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 13/06/2025 -
Fri 13/06/2025
Times:
10:00am - 4:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
The Ambrose Allen Centre (Tadley)
2 Franklin Avenue
Tadley
RG26 4ET
Tutor:
Mike Grundy
Course code:
Q00022154
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £25.20

Art Appreciation: From Wild Beasts to Prophets: Fauvism to Nabis

Explore how the use of imaginative, ‘wild’ and dramatic colour was developed to conjure emotions and create new experiences rather than naturalism in the exciting avant garde period from the late 19th to early 20th century. This course is a natural progression from studies of Impressionist and Post Impressionist artwork, which greatly influenced the evolving experimentation for this exciting period of expressive and intensely coloured artwork of interiors, cityscapes and figurative subject matter such as ‘dance’ and ‘bathers’. Sessions will explore artwork of this subject matter by prominent artists Bonnard, Vuillard, Matisse, Derain and Vlaminick amongst others and the impact these artists have had on contemporary artwork.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 17/06/2025 -
Tue 15/07/2025
Times:
6:00pm - 8:00pm
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Debra Collis
Course code:
Q00022004
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £37.00

Creative Writing in the Landscape: Writing the River Tamar

In a stunning location overlooking Brunel’s famous Tamar Bridge to Cornwall, this workshop will be a feast for the creative senses. You’ll be encouraged to write what you can see, hear, feel, smell, touch – and taste! - in this ever-changing landscape. The workshop is open to everyone who likes to write, from beginners to published, and all genres from poetry to prose. This is a unique and wonderful opportunity to spend a day in the company of other writers, exploring the immediate natural and human-made environment. It’s also a chance to share your written work, if you wish, at a local festival.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 19/06/2025 -
Thu 19/06/2025
Times:
10:00am - 4:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Bridging the Tamar Visitor and Learning
Tamar Bridge Office
Pemros Road
Plymouth
PL5 1LP
Tutor:
Kate Cotton
Course code:
Q00021913
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £25.20

WEA Membership

WEA membership is changing: more information is coming soon!

Membership Information

Duration:
12 months
Fee:
£15

Art Appreciation: Jackson Pollock and Lee Krasner

Jackson Pollock was born in 1912 in the United States in Wyoming, his wife who was also a renowned artist was born in 1908 in Brooklin New York . Discover their connection artistically explore their relationship and possible reasons for the differences and similarities in their works. The session will be delivered by power point presentation and lecture , handouts will be given where appropriate. The session is tailored to allow learners the opportunity to consolidate their learning as the course is delivered by discussion of their learning outcomes and opinions in a friendly and engaging environment and there will be fun group activities during the course to check on understanding and learning.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 19/06/2025 -
Thu 19/06/2025
Times:
6:00pm - 8:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Kerry Van Der Schraft
Course code:
Q00022111
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £7.40

Art and About: Hyde Park Statues and Monuments

Hyde Park is 140 hectares in area. It is an historic Grade I-listed urban park in Westminster, Greater London. A Royal Park, it is the largest of the parks and green spaces that form a chain from Kensington Palace through Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park, via Hyde Park Corner and Green Park, past Buckingham Palace to St James's Park. Hyde Park is divided by the Serpentine and the Long Water lakes. For several centuries Hyde Park has been enriched by the installation of many statues and monuments. Enjoy this leisurely stroll around the park and learn about its fascinating history.

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 20/06/2025 -
Fri 20/06/2025
Times:
10:30am - 1:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Meeting Point: Apsley House
149 Piccadilly
London
London
W1J 7NT
Tutor:
Colin Lomas
Course code:
Q00019130
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £12.60

Art Appreciation: William Morris

This interesting course primarily explores the work and life of William Morris. This important art movement developed in 1880 and was prevalent until 1920 . It was most prolific in Europe and North America. The course explores the influences which led to the development of the movement and artworks. and the artists involved . The course is delivered by power point presentation and lecture , handouts will be given where appropriate.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 24/06/2025 -
Tue 24/06/2025
Times:
6:00pm - 8:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Kerry Van Der Schraft
Course code:
Q00022352
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £7.40

Art Appreciation: Who's the Muse? Eileen Agar, Claude Cahun and Isabel Rawsthorne

What is a muse? How and why has this convention endured for centuries? On this focused course, we explore the identity and representation of the muse through the lives and work of three female artists: Claude Cahun (1894-1954), Eileen Agar (1899-1991) and Isabel Rawsthorne (1912-1992). Each week we focus on one artist, examining their individual backgrounds, training and a range of influences that helped to shape their practice across either painting, photography or sculpture. By exploring their work and artistic intentions we will discuss how the traditional concept of the modern muse was powerfully subverted by each of the artists.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 26/06/2025 -
Thu 10/07/2025
Times:
10:30am - 12:30pm
Duration:
3 sessions
Location:
Enfield Baptist Church (Enfield) (Enfiel
Cecil Road
Enfield
EN2 6TG
Tutor:
Chantal Condron
Course code:
Q00017374
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £36.00

Art Appreciation: Claris Cliff

This session charts the work of two designers who were iconic within the British Pottery Industry . It looks at the work of Claris Cliff 1899 and Suzie Cooper born 1902 The session can be followed up with a further more in depth course , The History and Development of the British Pottery Industry . The session will be delivered by power point presentation and lecture , handouts will be given where appropriate. The session is tailored to allow learners the opportunity to consolidate their learning as the course is delivered by discussion of their learning outcomes and opinions in a friendly and engaging environment and there will be fun group activities during the course to check on understanding and learning.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 26/06/2025 -
Thu 26/06/2025
Times:
6:00pm - 8:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Kerry Van Der Schraft
Course code:
Q00022353
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £7.40

Art Appreciation: History of Churches

Discover the beauty and history of art in churches with our Art Appreciation: Art in Churches course. Explore the significance of religious art and architecture from different periods and styles. Ideal for art enthusiasts and those interested in religious and cultural heritage.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 30/06/2025 -
Mon 28/07/2025
Times:
10:30am - 12:30pm
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
David Brindley
Course code:
Q00022262
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £37.00