THIS EVENT IS NOW FULLY BOOKED. If you would like to go on a waiting list please email Georgie Hayward georgie@uppersidd.co.uk
NB - This is on 26th February NOT 26th March as published in the programme.
DAY OF SPECIAL INTEREST
New York, New York: A Time-Travel Tour
Mary Alexander
Thursday 26TH February 2026
(Please note the date which is not 26th March as printed in the programme)
The Westwoods Centre, Bassett Road, Northleach GL54 3JQ
We are delighted to welcome Mary Alexander to our Day of Special Interest.
(You may recall Mary from her visit to our Society in September 2024 when she lectured on ‘Riviera Paradise – Art, Design and Pleasure in the 1920s’).
Mary Alexander trained as an art historian and graduated with a BA Hons in History & History of Art (University College London) and later an MA (with Distinction) in History of Art (University College London). She moved to Manchester to take up the post of Assistant Curator at Platt Hall, the Gallery of English Costume, a renowned collection of historic dress. Subsequently she lectured in art history at the University of Leeds, the Open University and Manchester University Extra Mural Department. From 1995 - 2008, she was a Visiting Lecturer at Christie’s Education in London. Mary has also combined academic work with the world of design consultancy. In 1985 she joined Pentagram Design in London, a leading international design consultancy, and co-ordinated client presentations, publications, conferences and international special events, including the 1986 British Design event in Aspen Colorado. In 1988 she transferred to Pentagram’s New York office with the task of organising an international design conference held at Stanford University involving business, design and education leaders. As an experienced international speaker, Mary lectures regularly for The Arts Society throughout the UK, Europe and Australia and New Zealand. She also contributes articles to magazines, newspapers and professional journals. She was President of The Arts Society Glaven Valley, Norfolk from 2016- 2021.
‘The fun of being a New York painter is that landmarks are torn down so rapidly that your canvases become historical records almost before the paint on them is dry’ John Sloan 1909
By popular request, a 'Time-travel’ tour with Mary Alexander in which we unashamedly cherry pick the art and design highlights of New York. Whether you know and love New York or maybe have never visited, join us and have fun discovering more about the personalities of the artists, designers, patrons and social climbers who shaped this extraordinary and ever-changing city. We will create the sense of ‘being there’ and to capture the vibrancy, energy and ever-changing nature of the city - today or travelling in the Vanderbilts' horse drawn carriage up Fifth Avenue in the Gilded Age. Maps will pinpoint our locations throughout.
We will consider the influence of ‘new money’ on art patronage and track the relentless move of fashionable society uptown using the 'voices' of Henry James in Washington Square, Edith Wharton in Gramercy Park, or F Scott Fitzgerald exclaiming that ‘New York had all the iridescence of the beginning of the world'. Not simply a tour of art galleries, (you can do that on Google!) we will explore the people, ideas and fortunes that created the great art collections, buildings and visual environment of the city. Using a wide cross section of imagery, ranging from painting, design, architecture and interiors, fashion, photography and film, we will consider how the constantly changing city sees and re-imagines itself.
'I happen to like New York .... ' Cole Porter
'If I can make it there, I'll make it anywhere. It's up to you New York New York’ Frank Sinatra
'Everybody wants a piece of New York. New York is the hub. New York is the bridge. New York means international' Donna Karan
Once again, we are delighted that our wonderful caterer, Mary Rose Weston, will be serving us a delicious hot lunch. We are so fortunate to have her and her helper, Angela, to look after us on these Days of Special Interest.
TIMETABLE OF THE DAY
DOORS OPEN AT 10.00 a.m. COFFEE AND FLAPJACKS ARE SERVED
This Day of Special Interest comprises 2 morning lectures and one afternoon lecture on the following topics:
10.30 a.m. - 11.30 a.m.
The first talk is on 'Keeping up with the Jones' – the Gilded Age 1880s -1910
11.30 a.m. – 11.55 a.m. BREAK FOR COFFEE/TEA AND BISCUITS
11.55 a.m. – 12.55 a.m.
The second talk is on ‘The Big Apple takes a Lead 1920s and 30s’
12.55 a.m. – 2.00 p.m. CATERED HOT LUNCH
2.00 p.m. – 3.00 p.m.
The final talk is on ‘Today: From Central Park to the High Line and Reflecting Pools’
To be followed by a short Q and A session
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The cost of the day is £48 to include 2 x morning coffee/tea and a hot lunch. You may bring your own alcohol but there will be a corkage charge of £3.00 payable to the Westwoods Centre.
Please Click Here for the booking form and preferably pay £48 online by bank transfer:
Barclays Bank : The Arts Society Gloucestershire
Sort Code: 20-68-15
Account No. 33308758
Please complete the reference box with DSI together with your surname. If you do not have access to online banking or are a ‘paper only’ member, please complete the booking form and forward a cheque for £48 per person made payable to ‘The Arts Society Gloucestershire’ to Georgie Hayward (DSI), Gastons Barn, Siddington, Cirencester
GL7 6HL. Your place will be confirmed on confirmation of payment (please note the Organiser does not have instant access to the bank account).
No refunds will be issued, but in the event of a member being unable to attend and if there is no waiting list, he/she may find a replacement who does not need to be a member of the Society. Please inform the Organiser if you are transferring your place to someone else, so a new booking form can be completed.
If you have any dietary requirements which are not listed on the online form, please let me know..
THERE ARE 57 PLACES FOR THIS DAY OF SPECIAL INTEREST, SO PLEASE BOOK EARLY TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT! PLACES WILL BE ALLOCATED ON A FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED BASIS.
BOOKING FOR OUR SOCIETY MEMBERS WILL BE RESTRICTED UNTIL SUNDAY 1ST FEBRUARY AFTER THAT IT WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE FOR MEMBERS OF OTHER LOCAL SOCIETIES TO BOOK.
In the event of circumstances beyond our control, the Arts Society Gloucestershire reserves the right to cancel or re-arrange this event.
Organiser: Georgie Hayward,
Tel: 01285 658235 (do not leave a message on the answerphone) / 07722 652886 georgie@uppersidd.co.uk