Appreciate art through learning

Our Art History courses will give you a deeper understanding of what you're looking at. When it comes to art, everyone's has their own opinion on which artist is better than the other, and what their most famous work signifies.

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Through exploring the world of art history, you'll be learning about why pieces are made in the first place and what the pieces mean. You will also examine how that’s changed over a period of time, as well as the impact it’s had on society. 

You’ll be taught about many of the aspects from the art creation process, such as the materials used in artworks, and how different kinds of artists contribute differently in expressing their ideas through freehand drawing or digital media. 

Whether you're a seasoned art appreciator or a newbie, there's something here for everyone. From exploring art painted by Salvador Dali or learning all about the history of Nordic Art from the Viking era, we have a selection of online and in-person art history courses from different decades to choose from.  

Attend an Art History course near you  

Whether you choose to learn from the comfort of your own home, or opt for a space in your local community, you’ll be taught by a talented tutor who is an expert in their field. 

The support you’ll receive on our Art History courses

Your tutor will encourage you to develop an understanding of Art History that goes beyond what's on the surface, motivating you to truly immerse yourself in the subject. It’s our learning experience that sets us apart too, with an encouraging environment that ensures you attend each session with the excitement to learn.   

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Art Appreciation: The Blue Rider, German Expressionism

Part of the Free Taster Courses for All; this course is an Introduction to the Expressionist Movement and the Blue Rider Art Group. Expressionism is a key art movement of the early 20th century, which developed from 1905 in Germany and Austria. In this session, you will learn about one of the Expressionist groups, The Blue Rider. Centred around Munich and Murnau, the artists of this group developed a colourful and free style of painting. Wassily Kandinsky, Franz Marc, Gabriele Munter, Alexei von Jawlensky, Marianne von Werefkin, August Macke and Paul Klee used strong colours and boldly simplified forms to express themselves. If you have ever wondered what is Expressionism, how it started and developed, and why these artists painted in such a way, this course is for you!

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 05/07/2024 -
Fri 05/07/2024
Times:
1:00pm - 4:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Caroline Levisse
Course code:
Q00016974
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
0 places remaining
Status:
Fee:
Free

Art Appreciation: Art and About: Art in the Olympic (South) Park - Walking Tour

Part of the WEA Art and About Festival 2024! Art in the Olympic (South) Park Walking Tour explores the public artworks in the south side of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. It is the first Olympic Park to integrate artworks into the landscape right from the start by established and emerging artists, international and local, which reflects the Park’s identity and is the home to West Ham’s Football Stadium. Discover artworks that are both large and striking, whilst others are smaller and harder to find, inspired by the undulating landscape, riverside, buried histories, community memories, and Olympic glory. The meeting point is the ArcelorMittal Orbit by Sir Anish Kapoor.

Course Information

Dates:
Sun 07/07/2024 -
Sun 07/07/2024
Times:
3:00pm - 5:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Meeting Point: ArcelorMittal Orbit (Lond
Queen Elizabeth Olymipic Park,
London
E20 2AD
Tutor:
Jolanta Jagiello
Course code:
Q00014493
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £10.00

Art Appreciation: Art Copies, Forgeries and Fakes (Free London Taster)

Part of the London Summer Free Taster courses; This 3 hour, taster course explores the difference between an artwork which is copied, forged, or faked. The men and women behind them, the reasons they did it, which famous artists and artworks they choose, the money they made from their sale, how they were caught, and the punishment they received. Whether they were disillusioned artists fooling art experts or simply hardened criminals committing art crimes, the art market is still saturated with copies, fakes, and forgeries. Do you think you could spot the difference between the original among the fake? Test yourself with this taster.

Course Information

Dates:
Sun 07/07/2024 -
Sun 07/07/2024
Times:
10:00am - 1:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Jolanta Jagiello
Course code:
Q00017181
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
2 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

Art Appreciation: Laura Knight: A Life in Art

Part of the Free to All Taster Courses: A focus on Laura Knight: As Tate Britain puts on an exhibition about British women artists this summer, it seemed important to come back on a key British painter from the 20th century, Laura Knight. In this session we wil look at her life, career, art style and influences. Knight showed exceptional talent from an early age, and all her life, executed brilliant paintings and drawings. She was committed to a realist style, which often put her at odds with the avant-garde. She was however, popular, and in 1936 she became a Royal Academician, the first women to gain this honour since the foundation of the RA in 1768.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 08/07/2024 -
Mon 08/07/2024
Times:
12:30pm - 3:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Caroline Levisse
Course code:
Q00016969
How you'll learn:
Online
Status:
Waiting list
Fee:
Free

WEA Membership

For just £15 a year, you can:

  • Join our popular, award-winning weekly lecture series,
  • Access an archive of over 100 past lectures,
  • Get priority online and phone booking for autumn courses (England only),
  • Receive our Highway magazine and access back issues,
  • Attend our members’ annual conference.

Just add us to your basket to sign up today!

Membership Information

Duration:
12 months
Fee:
WEA Membership

Art Appreciation: Elizabeth Thompson (aka Lady Butler), and other Victorian Women Artists

Part of the Free Taster Courses to All. This course looks at Painter Elizabeth Thompson. As Tate Britain puts on an exhibition about British women artists this summer, it is the perfect occasion to present a significant Victorian painter, who was famous for her battle paintings. As we do so, we will also highlight other Victorian women who became successful professional painters such as Emily Mary Osborn and Evelyn De Morgan. They lived in a society that globally remained hostile to independent career women. We will see how they trained, and how Thompson, and others, balanced the pressure of social norms and their personal ambition.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 10/07/2024 -
Wed 10/07/2024
Times:
12:00pm - 3:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Caroline Levisse
Course code:
Q00016971
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
0 places remaining
Status:
Fee:
Free

Art Appreciation: How to Look at Art?

Part of the free Taster courses to All; this Art Appreciation course will show you how to look at Art. Have you ever wondered how to look at a painting or a sculpture, and how to figure out what it means? This session will give you some keys to develop your understanding and appreciation of works of art. This should make your next visits to art galleries even more enjoyable!

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 12/07/2024 -
Fri 12/07/2024
Times:
12:30pm - 3:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Caroline Levisse
Course code:
Q00016975
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
0 places remaining
Status:
Fee:
Free

Art Appreciation: Art and About: Soho and its Heritage

Part of the WEA Art and About Festival 2024! As part of the WEA London Festival Art and About : A heritage walk through the heart of Soho meeting at Criterion Théâtre near Piccadilly Circus on Thursday July 18th meet at 11am ending near Tottenham Court Road Tube station Come and explore the Soho area famously known for its culture , yet their other interesting features institutions that exist in the area such as Churches , Old Hospitals and much more. We will explore how the area developed and why these are still important buildings today

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 18/07/2024 -
Thu 18/07/2024
Times:
11:00am - 12:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Meeting Point: Criterion Theatre
218-223 Piccadilly
St. James's
London
London
W1J 9HR
Tutor:
Selina Rice
Course code:
Q00014454
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
5 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £7.50

Art Appreciation: Art and About: Art in the Olympic (North) Park - Walking Tour

Part of the WEA Art and About Festival 2024! Art in the Olympic (North) Park Walking Tour explores the public artworks in the north side of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. It is the first Olympic Park to integrate artworks into the landscape right from the start by established and emerging artists, international and local, which reflects the Park’s identity, and the first to have an artist-in-residence during its construction. Discover artworks that are both large and striking, whilst others are smaller and harder to find, inspired by the undulating landscape, riverside, buried histories, community memories, and Olympic glory. The meeting point is Copper Box Arena on Waterden Rd.

Course Information

Dates:
Sun 28/07/2024 -
Sun 28/07/2024
Times:
3:00pm - 5:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Meeting Point: Copper Box Arena
Waterden Road
London
London
E20 3BS
Tutor:
Jolanta Jagiello
Course code:
Q00014695
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £10.00