Fleurieu

Monday 16 March 2026
IMPERIAL PURPLE TO MARIE ANTOINETTE’S FLEAS: The colourful history of textiles
Presented by Susan Kay-Williams
Venue & Time: The Gospel Centre, 2 George Main Road, Victor Harbor. 10:30 am

This lecture explores the fascinating story of how dyes were discovered, made, and used from the earliest time to the end of the 18th century. It shows the social importance of certain colours including red, blue, and purple. It is a story that travels from Europe to India and the Americas, a story of exploration, invention, war, the church, money, power, and sex.

The Royal School of Needlework, based at Hampton Court Palace. A Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and the Chartered Institute of Marketing and in 2015 was made a Fellow of the Society of Dyers and Colourists in recognition of her work on the history of dyes. Susan has a longstanding interest in textiles, especially colour, and published her first book, The Story of Colour in Textiles (Bloomsbury) in 2013. She has extensive lecturing experience and has been invited to lecture in the USA, Canada, China, Japan and Taiwan as well as for the V&A and across the UK. In 2022 she published An Unbroken Thread: the 150-year history of the Royal School of Needlework. She is currently the President elect of the Society of Dyers and Colourists.

Monday 25 May 2026
JOURNEY ACROSS THE HIMALAYAS
Presented by Zara Fleming
Venue & Time: The Gospel Centre, 2 George Main Road, Victor Harbor. 10:30 am

This lecture will focus on the Buddhist areas of the highest mountain range in the world, the Himalayas — the once spiritual domain of Tibetan culture and religion, spanning 2,000 miles from Ladakh in the west to Bhutan in the east. Zara will explore the kingdoms and principalities of Ladakh, Zanskar, Spiti, Lahoul, Nepal, Mustang, Sikkim, Bhutan and their spiritual heartland of Tibet.

Many of these countries lay on the ancient trade routes connecting India with Central Asia, and although isolated became important centres of Buddhist art and culture, housing vast repositories of sacred in art in their monasteries and temples

Zara is a freelance lecturer, art consultant and curator, specialising in the art and culture of Tibet, the Himalayas and Mongolia. Initially based at the V&A, Zara has also worked with the Central Asian Department of Bonn University, the Orient Foundation, the Royal Academy and many museums and galleries. Zara edited volume 1 of Masterpieces of Mongolian Art and published articles on Buddhist art and culture. Zara has been a tour guide on numerous trips to the Himalayas.

Monday 20 July 2026
PEGGY GUGGENHEIM: A Life of Collecting
Presented by Charlie Hall
Venue & Time: The Gospel Centre, 2 George Main Road, Victor Harbor. 10:30 am

Describing herself by writing, “I am a museum”, Peggy Guggenheim’s life took a clear path, from setting up a commercial gallery in London, going on a single-minded shopping trip to Paris in the late 1930’s even as the German tanks were rolling in to the suburbs, to escape (with her selection of European artists) to New York and the subsequent establishment of her museum (and Arts centre), and finally the purchase of the eccentric ‘unfinished palazzo’ in Venice, her collection remains one of the most iconic assemblages of Twentieth century art in the world.

A passionate arts educator, lecturer, and guide, based in London and Italy. Director of the highly regarded John Hall Venice Course, (est. 1965) Tour lecturer and leader for Kirker Holidays since 2013, and of independent tours in Italy. Designer and host of a series of art talks and events for the Soho House group of private member’s clubs. Designed and led courses for Christie’s Education and The Serpentine Gallery ‘Collector’s Circle.

Monday 24 August 2026
LONDON’S LOST DEPARTMENT STORES
Presented by Tessa Boase
Venue & Time: The Gospel Centre, 2 George Main Road, Victor Harbor. 10:30 am

London’s sumptuous Victorian and Edwardian department stores changed the capital – and changed its women. Shoppers of every rank were lavishly wooed, seduced and often undone by the temptations laid out before them in these new ‘cathedrals of desire’. Starting on Oxford Street’s ‘golden mile’, we’ll set off on a cultural tour of the capital’s big stores – from snooty Marshall & Snelgrove, to Pontings, ‘House of Value’; from Kennards’ wart-removal service, to the live flamingos atop Derry & Toms; from Bodgers of Ilford, to Bon Marché of Brixton. How did it feel to enter a great store in 1850 – and in 1950? What was it like to serve? From shoppers to shop girls, publicity stunts to wow factor window dressing, a fascinating slice of social history, with wonderful period images.

Tessa is a freelance journalist, social historian and campaigner with an interest in uncovering the stories of invisible women from the 19th and early 20th centuries, revealing how they drove industry, propped up society and influenced politics. Tessa has written three books of social history, one of which is about the feminist origins of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and has since campaigned for public recognition of its female founders.

Monday 21 September 2026
MONDRIAN’S EVOLUTION INTO ABSTRACTION
Presented by Mariska Beekenkamp-Wladimiroff
Venue & Time: The Gospel Centre, 2 George Main Road, Victor Harbor. 10:30 am

Mondrian is forever known in history for the artist who created the extremely recognisable elementary colour field paintings. He started creating these kinds of paintings around 1920. What many do not realise is that by then he had already 30 years of being a figurative artist under his belt. This lecture follows this evolution, his self-discovery, and his belief in a new world order

Mariska read Social Psychology at the University of Amsterdam and was tempted to do a PhD in Decision Making Behavior. In the end she turned to her true love – the Arts. Whilst having her three children, she completed her BA and MA in Art History, majoring in The Dutch Baroque Arts from the 17th century at the Courtauld Institute of Arts. She started as a College Lecturer, but soon after started her own company, Art Historical London, offering art historical lectures, museum visits, courses, tours, travel and events from Amsterdam, London and New York, and since 2020 online. A fully accredited PTLLS lecturer, she also teaches on the public program of the Dulwich Picture Gallery, for the New York Adventure Club in the States.

Monday 26 October 2026
THE ART OF STATE CEREMONIAL MUSIC
Presented by Graham Jones
Venue & Time: The Gospel Centre, 2 George Main Road, Victor Harbor. 10:30 am

The UK provides some of the biggest ceremonial events in the world, and arguably the best in the world, but why is that? How does the military prepare for major events such as the State Opening of Parliament, State Visits, National Days of Remembrance, royal weddings or even a state funeral? Graham will provide an insight into the challenges of state ceremonial events in this lecture

Graham started his professional life as a musician in the British Army and after a 40-year career, he retired as the Senior Director of Music, Household Division and Director of Music, Coldstream Guards. Graham recorded over forty albums and commissioned over thirty new works for wind band. He also pioneered a music education program for military musicians at the University of Salford. Graham is enjoying his second career as a conductor, lecturer and educator.