‘The Art of Celebrating Christmas’: The Arts Society Bishop’s Stortford gets festive for its November lecture at South Mill Arts

The Arts Society Bishop’s Stortford’s November lecture will bring festive spirit to the organisation’s annual general meeting.

Sarah Pearson’s “The Art of Celebrating Christmas” at South Mill Arts on Tuesday November 11 will bring together traditions now regarded by many as integral to the yuletide season.

Member Mick Fitch said: “Using a wide range of artworks and covering the output of many well-known and lesser-known artists, including Giotto, Caspar David Friedrich and Norman Rockwell, Sarah examines the elements of Christmas in their artistic setting.

“Her audience can expect depictions of festive food, Christmas cards, holly and ivy, trees, crackers, gift-giving and, of course, snow.”

The event begins at 10am, with the society’s AGM, and Sarah will be welcomed on stage at 10.40am.

Mick said: “Sarah’s lecture follows Ian Gledhill’s super October lecture, ‘Glamorous Nights: Musical Theatre Between The Wars’, with hits such as Chu Chin Chow, then into the 1920s and 1930s with the influence of shows imported from America like The Student Prince, with Mario Lanza, and No No Nanette.

“These led to the successful careers of Noel Coward and Ivor Novello between the wars.

“Ian illustrated his talk with musical examples and finished with the audience singing along to The Lambeth Walk.”

The Arts Society Bishop’s Stortford, founded in 1976, meets monthly at South Mill Arts on the second Tuesday of the month, with coffee from 10am. The lecture starts at 10.40am. Visitors are welcome to attend for a suggested £7 donation. To find out more, see info@tasbs.org.uk.