Train to Cleveland with John Ruskin theatre Trip (Camden Fringe Festival 2026), 6 August 2027
Members of the Ruskin Society were invited by Dan Callaway to attend the world premiere of Train to Cleveland with John Ruskin, his new play with music, created with Joey Nicoletti and presented as part of the Camden Fringe Festival 2026 (play venue: Circle and Star Theatre, above The Horseshoe pub). Set on a train journey in 1997, the play brings a burnt-out PhD student face to face with John Ruskin. Their argument about Turner, ambition and artistic truth develops into a more personal exploration of illness, love, self-worth and the cost of trying to carry everything alone. A group of members made an enjoyable trip to see the play on 6 August 2027, meeting beforehand for a drink the Horseshoe pub.
Ruskin Society visit to the Alpine Club on Friday 3 July 2026
Members of the Ruskin Society took part in a highly enjoyable visit to the library of the Alpine Club (55 Charlotte Rd, London, EC2A 3QF). The Alpine Club has a long and fascinating history connected with mountaineering, exploration, art and literature. Ruskin was himself a member of the Club, and the visiting group were able to see his membership records as well as a number of his drawings.
After the visit, lunch was arranged nearby at The Brush East London Grand Café, at the art’otel London Hoxton, providing an opportunity to continue the conversation informally.
2026 Birthday Lecture (Professor Robert Hewison, Honorary Member of the Ruskin Society; Title: ‘Arrows of the Chace: Ruskin and the Press’; Venue: Art Workers’ Guild (Queen Square London WC1N 3AT) on Saturday 7th February
The Society would like to thank the distinguished Ruskin scholar Prof. Robert Hewison for the fascinating lecture he gave on the subject of Ruskin’s dealings with the press. A vivid picture emerged of the ‘arrows’ Ruskin sent in that direction, as also the experimental literary forms that sprang from his tendency towards the ‘open letter’ (as seen most notably in Fors Clavigera). This was, as ever, a convivial occasion, preceded by cakes and biscuits baked by members of the Committee and by the membership more generally.
2025 Birthday Lecture (Dr Emma Sdegno, Associate Professor at Ca’ Foscari University, Venice). Title: ‘“Drawing Nearer the City with a Camera”: Views of Ruskin’s Venice’, including the UK Premier of a film entitled The city is lost. Ruskin’s Venice Today, by Alessandra Lancellotti (produced by FoRS (Focus on Ruskin Studies) at Ca’ Foscari University, Caucaso Film Factory 2024). Venue: Art Workers’ Guild (Queen Square London WC1N 3AT) on Saturday 8th February
The Society would like to thank Dr Emma Sdegno, who flew all the way from Venice to address the Society on the subject of Ruskin’s cinematic eye, contrasting his way of situating readers in a scene and descriptively choreographying a sequence of ‘shots’ with the less satisfying viewing system of the train window. This fascinating discussion of Ruskin’s way of prefiguring cinematic method proved a rich sequel to an earlier Society event focused on Ruskin as he has been represented in film. The event was also distinguished for playing host to the first UK premier of Allessandra Lancelotti’s The city is lost. Ruskin’s Venice Today.
2024 Birthday Lecture (Sarah Quill, ‘“Infinite Variety”: Ruskin and the Capitals of the Ducal Palace, Venice’) and AGM (17 February 2024) at The Art Workers’ Guild (https://www.artworkersguild.org/), 6 Queen Square, London, WC1N 3AT
The Society would like to thank Sarah Quill, our 2024 Birthday Lecturer, who gave members a fascinating glimpse into the history of the famous capitals of the Ducal Palace in Venice. Among the many topics covered, she mentioned the sunk appearance of the columns as seen from the piazza, the special qualities of Istrian stone (including the polish it takes under innumerable passing hands), and the distribution of originals and copies across the building’s interior and exterior. As is becoming customary, members also enjoyed a selection of home-made cakes in-between the AGM and the lecture.
‘Ruskin and Film’ (2pm-5pm, Saturday, 27 May 2023): a discussion between Prof. Jeffrey Richards (RS President) and Sir Christopher Frayling at The Art Workers’ Guild (https://www.artworkersguild.org/), 6 Queen Square, London, WC1N 3AT
In May 2023, members enjoyed a joint talk by two cultural historians, the former Rector of the Royal College of Art, Sir Christopher Frayling, and the Society’s President, Prof. Jeffrey Richards. Among other things, the speakers considered Ruskin’s often caricatured representation on celluloid, and the ways in which this has affected his reputation.
2023 ‘Birthday Lecture (14.30-16.30, Saturday, 11 February 2023): Dr Stuart Eagles, ‘”Sparks blown into flame”: Revisiting Ruskin’s Sheffield Museum’ at The Art Workers’ Guild (https://www.artworkersguild.org/), 6 Queen Square, London, WC1N 3AT.
The Society would like to thank all those members who attended our hugely successful Birthday Lecture and AGM in February 2023. Our lecturer, Dr Stuart Eagles, gave a fascinating lecture on St George’s Museum at Sheffield. The Society also presented two of its members with Honorary Lifetime Membership to recognise their longstanding loyalty and service to the Society: our former secretary, Dr Stuart Eagles, and Prof. Robert Hewison. We presented each with a pewter paper weight cast from a walnut shell.
We would also like to thank those members who enhanced the festivities by donating cakes and biscuits!
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