U3A Swansea - Humanities

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Art History & Appreciation

To find out more about this Group, Email
With the subject as “Art History”

What we do

Have you ever looked at a painting and asked yourself what is this work really about? Is there more to see in it than your first viewing might reveal? If works of art prompt such questions, of if you’re at all curious about art, then you might like to join us. We are a small group of enthusiastic aficionados, teaching ourselves about the context in which works of art were created, and how they achieve their effects, and why we respond to them in the ways we do.

There have been a number of studies into how visitors interact with paintings in museums. One such survey found that the average viewer looks at a painting for less than two seconds, reads the wall text for another 10 seconds, glances again at the painting to verify something in the text, before finally moving on.

Our aim is to move on to the next step, to look at works of art in a little more depth.

Art History takes a chronological approach, looking at how art has changed over time, focusing not just on the emergence of new techniques and technologies, but on the social and historical forces that have shaped the evolution of painting.

Art appreciation tends to focus more on a single work or artist, or on a particular period or genre of painting.

The Art History group meets on the third Tuesday of every month, from September to June. Sessions start at 2 pm and run for an hour and 45 minutes. Usually, a member of the group will give a talk for 30 to 40 minutes, followed by discussion and questions. On occasion we might screen a video relevant to the subject matter. We then break for 15 minutes for coffee and informal chat, before spending the last 45 minutes continuing our discussion, or looking at a second topic, often completely different from the first.

We must stress that we are not art experts, so you don’t need to worry if you don’t have much knowledge. We welcome all opinions and contributions to our discussions.

Meeting Area: Swansea Centre. Meeting Day: Tuesday PM.

Family History

To find out more about this Group, Email
With the subject as “Family History”

What we do each meeting

Meetings held on varied topics. Presentations on a variety of Family History topics - the audience are welcome to contribute from their knowledge and ask questions.

Workshops - members are encouraged to share their research and help each other by asking questions, making comments, raising difficulties etc. Introductory talks on how to get started in Family History when sufficient interest is shown.

Meeting Area: Sketty Meeting Day: Fridays AM

Film Studies

To find out more about this Group, Email
With the subject as “Film Studies”

What we do

The format of the group will be as follows:

Focus on historical period beginning with 1930’s and 1940’s.
One or two films to be discussed in each session.
A brief session outlining the social/historical background of the film and its time, an introduction to the director and reception of film. Viewing of extract of film followed by group discussion.
This group will be closing after the December Meeting.

Meeting Area: Zoom Meeting Day: Thursday PM

Local History

To find out more about this Group, Email
With the subject as “Local History”

What we do:

Swansea is an area which is rich in social and cultural history and industrial heritage. The Local History group enjoy a variety of activities covering Swansea's past including inviting speakers to talk on a topic of interest to the local historian, visiting areas and buildings of special historical interest and organising group walks. Meetings are held on a monthly basis.

Meeting Area: Various places, sometimes Zoom. Meeting Day: Thursdays PM