Novelist and lecturer Simon Keable Elliott will be taking us on a journey to Tahiti where he will tell us how writers and artists propagated Tahiti’s image as an island paradise over 150 years. His second lecture will explore the stories of English and American writers and artists who settled in Tahiti in the 1920s - what they were running away from, why did they stay and what was their legacy.

A graduate of Durham University, Simon was Head of Politics and Director of Model United Nations at Royal Russell School for 25 years. He now works as a writer, researcher, and lecturer. His first book Utterly Immoral, Robert Keable and his scandalous novel was published in November 2022. His second book Guys like Gauguin, Writers and Artists in 1920s Tahiti will be published in August 2026. He has also written articles for, among other publications, The Church Times, The History News Network and The Journal of the Society for Army Historical Research. He is a regular speaker at events run by The Arts Society, Western Front Associations, U3As and other Societies. 

This study Day will take you to coastal Spain where you will explore Joaquin Sorolla in Valencia and Antoni Gaudi in Barcelona. Each artist will take his place in his home town and we will explore how Sorolla adored the light of Valencia and could hardly bare to leave the city and how Gaudi shaped the city of Barcelona with his quirky architectural style which drew heavily on nature itself and the sea.

Jacqueline is Managing Director of Art and Culture Travel, running residential courses in Andalucía, Southern Spain in the art and culture of the region as well as curated tours to Madrid, Tangiers, Barcelona, Paris and Venice. Jacqueline is a course director and lecturer at the V&A and also lectures at The Royal Academy,  She has toured New Zealand and Australia for The Arts Society. Her specialist field is Spanish Art, but she also lectures on European Art 1790-1950. She is currently working on a Monograph on Goya (Prestel, Spring 2024)