Friends Events

The Friends of Kettle’s Yard have a volunteer events committee which organise a varied and busy programme of events for members. Any profits go towards supporting Kettle’s Yard.

To book an event you need to download the booking form from the link on the left (or below if viewing on a mobile) and complete and return it to the address given on the form or follow the instructions in the event description below.

If you have any queries about the Friends and or the Friends events programme please email: friends@kettlesyard.cam.ac.uk

Tuesday 10 December – Eric Gill and the Darwin family

Following on from the Conduit Head visit in June, we continue the story of Eric Gill’s association with the Darwin/Cornford family with a trip to the Fitzwilliam Museum. Letter carver Eric Marland takes us to see the bird bath wedding gift, which the British sculptor, typeface designer, and printmaker Eric Gill carved for Sir Francis Darwin’s daughter Frances, and her new husband Francis Cornford, when they married in 1910. The bird bath recently came to the Fitzwilliam Museum on permanent loan. The Department of Applied Arts allows us behind the scenes to see works by Gill, the Cornfords and Gwen Raverat, which are not on display, including Gill’s wood engravings for Frances Cornford’s book of poems Autumn Midnight. We also take a light walk to see Gill works and explore the surrounding architecture on Fitzwilliam Street, Downing Street and Free School Lane. A full programme for the event is available as a download from the organisers. Meet at the Fitzwilliam Museum Courtyard Entrance at 2 pm. Numbers limited.

Sophia Victoria, sv@sophiavictoria.com & Rolfe Kentish, rolfe.kentish@longkentish.com

Wednesday 12 February – Visit to Christie’s auction house

This is a special opportunity to be taken around two exhibitions by one of Christie’s Post-war and Contemporary art specialists / researchers prior to the evening auction the same day, and also to visit their warehouse. The specialists are hugely knowledgeable about the artworks on display and will be able to offer the Friends an exclusive opportunity to learn about the paintings before they disappear back into the art collectors’ world. The warehouse visit will also offer the Friends a unique insight into the journey of artworks through the auction house. Christie’s have also offered the group a number of tickets to view the Post-War & Contemporary Art Evening auction which starts at 7 pm from one of their viewing rooms. If you would like a ticket, please confirm on the booking slip. Travel independently to London. Meet at 2 pm in the reception of Christie’s Auction House, 8 King Street, St James’s, SW1Y 6QT. Nearest tube Green Park. Finish at 4.30 pm approx. Allocation date 7 December.

Sally Knowles, sally@sallyknowles.co.uk

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“Well done..it was a really enjoyable and informative trip…loved it. Thank you.”

“Just a brief note to say a big thank you for the splendid Kettle’s Yard outing to see the Ravilious exhibition. It’s been a while since we took part in any Friends event and it was rather special to sit on the coach again with old acquaintances and enjoy their company.”