Fun and Relaxed Art Classes at U3A in London

Are you retired or have some free time in the day?

Then you’ll be delighted to discover our fun, relaxed selection of art courses based in old Hampstead Town Hall or if you prefer online on Zoom.

We have classes on offer Monday to Friday during term time run by our members

Our U3A offers …

  • A variety of art courses and art classes to choose from
  • Over hundred classes a week in a vast range of subjects
  • Only £75 a year to attend as many classes a week as you wish
  • No qualifications needed to join
  • The chance to study for the pleasure of learning, and teach for the love of teaching
  • Many classes run by experienced ex-teachers or experts in their field
  • An opportunity to make new friends with our 1000+ members
  • Three minutes walk from Belsize Park Tube, nine minutes from Hampstead Heath overground
  • A cafeteria on site
  • Monday Talks by experts
  • Easter Conference and Summer School
  • Re-opening 21st September 2021
  • Covid-19 protocols in place
  • Some classes will still be offered on Zoom

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Some of the art classes we offer…

Producing Pictures

Have you always wanted to be an artist? I did too, until I discovered that the primary qualification was to have been dead for over 100 years. Now I am happy just to produce pictures. I have been asked to point out that we are not an unruly rabble, just relaxed. To everyone’s surprise, their pictures usually improve.

Collage and Mixed Media

If you have always wanted to try your hand at art but think you haven’t the talent, this course is for you. Collage is a different medium and you can create wonderful images using a few basic materials. Anyone can do it! All are welcome.

ArtStudio

Water colouring, drawing, pastel and acrylic at your leisure. No tuition.

Photography

This group meets in the Town Hall fortnightly. In the alternate weeks, we meet at photogenic places in London to take photographs. When we meet at the Town Hall, we view these photographs on a screen and talk about them. Come to our first meeting to discuss your interests and decide on the first venue. Bring whatever camera you own, digital or not!

Art Appreciation: The Virgin Mary in Renaissance and Baroque Art

Until the 17th century nearly all art in Western Europe was religious art and the person who was depicted, more than another, was the Virgin Mary.  This course will look at scenes from the life of the Virgin, from her birth to her coronation as the Queen of Heaven and will enable you to read/decode these images.  It is not a theological course and a prior knowledge of the New Testament is not necessary.  Come and enjoy some of the most important and glorious paintings in the history of art which, previously you might have passed by without really seeing and understanding them.

An Architectural History of Theatre

We will explore the very beginnings of theatre in worship and ritual from pre-Egyptian times and look at developments in Ancient Greek and Roman theatre. We travel on through the following centuries, covering the architecture of Medieval, Renaissance and the Baroque and Restoration theatre. We cover the changing character of theatre, look at artists, writing and performance and will travel through the 19th and 20th centuries and hope to bring ourselves to the present time