The Arts Society North London
50 years ago, a number of people accepted Dulcie Rispoli’s invitation to found the North London Decorative & Fine Arts Society, the fourteenth such society in the UK and the first in London. From such small beginnings it grew to be a group of nearly 150 people which meets on most months at Kenwood House.
Following changes to the national title, NLDFAS is now The Arts Society North London. In May there was a Golden Anniversary lunch. Its history, From NLDFAS to TASNL: 50 Years of Fun and Education, has been captured by Stanley Gelbier a Finchley Society member and Christine Riley.
The Arts Society has lectures from some of the most illustrious arts’ specialists in the country, many of whom are to be seen on the BBC’s Antiques Road Show. In the autumn there is a study day at Totteridge Village Hall, Badgers Croft to study in depth a relevant topic (sometimes assessing people’s own objects) in pleasant company, giving a chance over lunch to speak with the lecturer. There are four or five visits to places of interest in London, a day-long trip outside the capital and a five-day exploration of an area of interest.
Over 35 people went on The Hague trip and this year the city will be Liverpool, including a visit to the Chinese Warriors and the LS Lowrie Gallery.
Non-members are invited to attend a taster lecture at Kenwood, both at 10.30am on Tuesdays:
- 11 October – Oliver Everett, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, Patrons of the arts and art collections;
- 9 November – Frank Woodgate, ‘Understanding Modern Art’.
- Or the study day at Badgers Croft, Totteridge on Tuesday 23 October: John Benjamin on Jewellery from ‘Elizabeth I to Elizabeth Taylor’. Further information can be obtained from the Hon Secretary, Barbara Wishart (barbara.wishart@btopenworld.com).
Stanley Gelbier [from the September-October 2018 Newsletter]
You can find out more about The Arts Society North London on their website