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Artist Talks

The City Lit School of Visual Arts regularly hosts established speakers from the world of Visual Arts to speak about a subject passionate to them.

In conversation with . . . is a collection of scheduled talks in collaboration with artists, designer/makers and contemporary creatives. Over the year, each guest speaker will present exciting visual lectures on various themes, points of discussion and debate around contemporary practice, as well as providing an insight in the creative industries.

Artist receiving applause at a galley openingArtist receiving applause at a galley opening

In conversation with Lydia Thornley

Date: 25 October 2024
Time: 18:30 - 19:30
Location: City Lit, Keeley Street

Join us as Lydia Thornley introduces the topic of broadening creative work after decades in one discipline. She’ll look at what that’s taught her about what we bring from one working life to another, the importance of side projects, sketchbooks as a thinking tool, how curiosity underpins everything she does, how it all joins up – and why she thinks that having absolutely no idea what you’re doing is a good place to start.

In conversation with Sara Howard

Date: 22 November 2024
Time: 18:30 - 19:30
Location: City Lit, Keeley Street

Join us as award-winning London designer Sara Howard introduces the topic of Circular Ceramics and environmentally sustainable ceramic practice. How to develop waste materials into product.


In conversation with Jenny Lewis

Date: 21 March 2025
Time: 18:30 - 19:30
Location: City Lit, Keeley Street

Join us as Jenny gives an outline of her career, from editorial photographer, to working on personal projects, publishing three monographs , turning portraiture into large scale permanent public art installations and getting her work into institutional collections.


In conversation with Claire Wilcox

Date: 11 April 2025
Time: 18:30 - 19:30
Location: City Lit, Keeley Street

Join us as Claire Wilcox discusses the motivation for and process of writing of her award winning book Patchwork.


In conversation with Claire Adler

Date: 30 April 2025
Time: 18:30 - 19:30
Location: City Lit, Keeley Street

Join us for an in conversation event with Claire Adler.

Claire Adler Luxury PR was founded by Claire Adler, a former luxury journalist for the Financial Times and other publications around the world. For over a decade, Claire wrote regularly for the Financial Times on jewellery, diamonds and watches. Her articles have appeared in The Washington Post, The New York Times, The Times and most high profile luxury publications.


In conversation with with Anne Laure Cano & Jim Gladwin

Date: 29 May 2025
Time: 18:30 - 19:30
Location: City Lit, Keeley Street

Join us as Anne Laure and Jim Gladwin introduce the topic of their recent collaboration exploring and responding to the ceramic industry and tradition preserved within the collection of the Museu D’Espluges in Barcelona.


In conversation with Ella Ritchie

Date: 20 June 2025
Time: 18:30 - 19:30
Location: City Lit, Keeley Street

Join us as Ella introduces the topic of her motivation and the mechanics of how she and her partner set up and manage an organisation with practising artists who have a learning disability that facilitates and promotes genuine inclusiveness in art.


In conversation with Jacqui Ramrayka

Date: 11 July 2025
Time: 18:30 - 19:30
Location: City Lit, Keeley Street

Join us as ceramicist Jacqui Ramrayka introduces the topic of her recent V&A residency during which her practice explored giving form to the intangible through porcelain vessels, particularly in relation to the Indo-Caribbean diaspora’s experience, memory and grief.