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Art and History Talks
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
September 22, 2025
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.
…
October 13, 2025
Naïve Art
Speaker: Rosalind Miranda
Naïve Art is usually is usually defined as art that is created by a person who lacks the formal education and training that a professional artist undergoes, & is characterized by childlike simplicity & frankness of execution and vision. It is simple, unaffected, and unsophisticated. In the …
October 27, 2025
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 …
November 10, 2025
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 …
November 24, 2025
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, …
January 26, 2026
La Malinche and the fall of the Aztec Empire: Heroine or Traitor?
In the early 16th century Hernán Cortés and his conquistadors defeated the great Aztec Empire,A story not often told, is that of a woman, Princess Malinalli, known today as La Malinche …
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.
New Video: The Architectural Legacy of Moorish Spain
By Peter Atkinson More Art and History lectures recorded as videos here …
New Video: The life and work of Antoni Gaudi
By Peter Atkinson More Art and History lectures recorded as videos here …
New Video: Intersecting Lives JFK and LBJ
By Peter Atkinson John Fitzgerald Kennedy and Lyndon Baines Johnson: their lives, personalities and careers, with an emphasis on the 60s, the decade of their presidencies. The principal issues were the cold war, civil rights, Vietnam, and the assassination and its aftermath. It is a story of two fascinating individuals, …
Outdoor Art in Spain: Architecture, Sculptures and Murals
By Peter Atkinson A comprehensive tour of the art and architecture that can be viewed in Spain’s outdoors, from whole buildings to minor architectural details and stand-alone artworks, including the transient or trivial as well as the monumental and permanent. Banksy said “art should comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable”. …
The Life and Wonderful Works of the Artist Joaquin Sorolla
By John Hopwood Born in Valencia to a wealthy family of fabric makers and then orphaned at the age of three being raised by his aunt, the wife of a poor locksmith, this artist rapidly became famous for his wonderful paintings. He was particularly well known for his wonderful beach …
The History of the Automobile
By John Hopwood. Commences with an introduction to La Marquese which is the oldest car in the world which is still in full working condition and then goes on to discuss the very earliest ideas and designs for a road vehicle. It includes many amazing concept cars as well as …
The History of the Bicycle.
By John Hopwood. This is a slightly humorous look at the history of the bicycle from the first push bikes through the many different designs to the latest racing and mountain bikes. Contains many little-known facts about the bicycle and is equally of interest to enthusiastic bikers as well as …
The Life and Works of David Hockney
By John Hopwood. The quite detailed story of this wonderful artists life from his humble beginnings in Bradford to becoming the most expensive living artist in the world. His first picture which was of his father, sold at an art fair in Leeds for £10. His most expensive work, Portrait …
The Life and Art of Grayson Perry
By John Hopwood. The full story of this artist’s life from his very difficult childhood through to his great success being the only potter ever to wind the Turner Prize and his many achievements as a potter, an engraver, a tapestry maker, an author, a Reith Lecturer and a much …
The History of Woolworths and the Amazing Exploits of Members of the Woolworth Family
By John Hopwood. An in-depth look at the life of Frank Winfield Woolworth and the way in which he built the largest chain store group in the world as well at the tallest building in the world. The talk continues with the amazing outlandish lives of his grandchildren Barbara Hutton …
Video of A&H Lecture: The Magic That Was the Concorde
If you enjoyed the lecture you can watch it again and, if you missed it, for the first time, by clicking on the video below. Lecturer: Pete Carrigan Pete was a flight engineer 3rd pilot, and flew for 28 years for British Airways. He accumulated over 10,000 hours on 747s over 15 …
The History of Natural and Man-Made Glass
By John Hopwood. Briefly describes the various types of naturally occurring glasses and then follows with some in-depth discussion of how glass was first discovered, how it became a wonderful art form as well as a highly technical product with some interesting illustrations throughout …