John Hopwood
Group Leader
Dennis Ainscough
Assistant Group Leader
Colin Donadio
Assistant Group Leader
Group Leader: John Hopwood
Frequency: on the second and fourth Monday of each Month.
Venue: La Senieta (Theatre), Moraira
Past U3A President John Hopwood is the Group Leader of the Art & History Group.
John has been joined by Dennis Ainscough and Colin Donadio who act as Assistant Group Leaders.
John is working hard to prepare new lists of speakers to present talks and is pleased to confirm that most dates in 2024 are already booked.
The presentations cover a very varied and interesting selection including Artists and Art History as well as the History of Individuals and Historical Periods and events which are well illustrated and professionally presented on a large screen via the in-house projection systems.
All members of our U3A are welcome to attend the talks and it is not necessary to book or reserve seats but it is recommended that you let us have your email so that we can keep you up-dated with information on future talks.
Full details of up-coming talks are available in the Art & History Group section of the U3A Website.
Members who have visitors are also welcome to bring them along to enjoy our talks.
Architecture and Public Art in the Comunidad Valenciana
There has been a lot of interest in the final talk given by Peter Atkinson in May 2024 before he left to join his family in Canada. Peter has kindly made an abridged version of his presentation, which is available here.
Upcoming Art & History Talks
Serendipity
Speaker: Alan Hunton
Serendipity is a remarkable phenomenon which describes a most beneficial outcome achieved purely by chance. We will see that a significant number of scientific discoveries throughout history have been made by mistake; such that the intended result failed but the unintended consequence was so dramatic and useful …
How it all Began
Speaker: Ally O Brian
What are the stories behind some of the famous products? Birds Custard and Royal Baking Powder were both invented because Alfred Bird’s wife was allergic to yeast and eggs. “Marriage is a lot more harmonious when one’s wife can satisfy her sweet tooth”!!!
Why is …
Carmen Amaya (1918-1963)
Speaker: Angela Chantry
Considered by many to be the greatest flamenco dancer of all time, Carmen Amaya gave her own definition to the art of flamenco. Her career began at the age of four and throughout her childhood she performed alongside her father in the taverns and music halls of …
The Year 1946
Speaker: Mike Granville
Speaker: 1946 was a year of profound change. In particular the United States and Soviet Union were emerging as superpowers, setting the stage for the Cold War. This talk will explore how the events and developments of 1946 laid the groundwork for the modern world. It will …
The Earth is not Flat
Speaker: Alan Hunton
Ancient civilisations had little understanding of our planet and the general opinion was that it was flat or saucer shaped. All the heavenly bodies appeared to revolve around the Earth. Pythagoras and other Greek philosophers working in Alexandria in Egypt during the first millennium BC disproved the …
Elihu Yale and his Wicked Wife
Speaker: David Ebsworth
Elihu Yale is a major figure in our history, though now mostly forgotten. One of the first nabobs, (a Muslim official or governor under the Mogul empire) Yale bequeathed his name to one of the world’s most famous universities. At the same time, he left nothing to poor Catherine …
Medieval Pleasures. Sex Drugs and Rock and Roll in the Middle Ages
Speaker: Keith Smith
When the word Medieval is mentioned, one conjures up images of death, disease and depravity.
But what was life in the Middle Ages in Europe really like?
What did people eat and drink?
What leisure activities did they pursue?
What were attitudes to sex? When could they have sex? When …
Edward VIII. Were The Arabian Princess and The Perfect Murder to Blame for His Downfall
Speaker: Gary Johnson
Gary Johnson aims to show you how a little known Arabian Princess was to blame for the downfall of Edward VIII and how this happened.
…Hannibal: Rome’s Greatest Enemy
Speaker: Angela Chantry
Over two thousand years ago one of the greatest military leaders in history almost destroyed Rome.
Hannibal, a daring African general from the city of Carthage, led an army of warriors and battle elephants over the snowy Alps to invade the very heart of Rome’s growing empire. But …
César Manrique Cabrera (1919-1992)
Speaker: Angela Chantry
César Manrique Cabrera (1919-1992): described as the man “building paradise in the ruins of hell”.
César Manrique Cabrera was a Spanish painter, sculptor and artist, best known for his architectural projects as artistic director. He was one of the foremost exponents of contemporary art in the Canary Islands, …
Here is the > Art & History talks schedule for 2023 <
List of Art & History Lectures May 23-Nov 24
List of Art Appreciation and History lectures from Sep 2009 to 2013
Lecture Theatre
Directions to the Espai la Senieta (same building as the Tourist Office)
Contact the Group Leader: art_history@u3amoraira-teulada.org
Problems using this email link?
A & H Video Library
These videos have been prepared to counteract the 2020 restrictions.