Life with Art: Benton End and the East Anglian School of Painting and Drawing

Established by artist-gardener Cedric Morris and his partner Arthur Lett-Haines, the East Anglian School of Painting and Drawing at Benton End became the centre of a diverse community of artists, writers and horticulturalists throughout the 1940s and 1950s. With no distinction between amateur or professional, Morris and Lett-Haines believed everyone could be creative.

This exhibition, created in collaboration with the Colchester Art Society, show- cases the inspiring role Benton House played in influencing the artists who livedand worked there, celebrating the beauty of the East Anglian scenery and the importance of creative spaces.

Explore over 100 artworks by the artists and cultural figures with links to Benton End, including Lucian Freud, Maggi Hambling, John Nash and Frances Hodgkins, along with works by Morris and Lett-Haines. One of the founder members of ncas, David Carr and his wife Barbara Gilligan attended the East Anglian School of Painting and Drawing.

10.30 - 11.00 Arrival at Firstsite with coffee at the gallery cafe

11.00 - 12.30 Exhibition and gallery tour
13.00 - 14.00 Sandwich/snack lunch in the cafe

Stewart Tulloch, (Head of Programme at Firstsite and his staff, will be expecting us and Mel King from Colchester Art Society will lead a tour for members. Mel co-curated the exhibition. He is also curator of the Colchester Art Society permanent collection and archivist.

Please contact Janey Bevington if you wish to book a place at Firstsite. janeybevington0@gmail.com