Described as the ‘British Christopher Columbus’ James Cook, product of the Enlightenment, was instrumental in advancing knowledge of Pacific peoples and places, flora and fauna, together with his companions Joseph Banks and the official artists on his voyages.

Lecture by Marie Conte-Helm

The Arts Society Dumfries and Galloway (TASDAG), formerly The South West Scotland Decorative and Fine Arts Society, was founded in 1991 and is a Member Society of the The Arts Society, whose headquarters are in London.

The Arts Society is an arts based charity founded in 1968 by Patricia Fay, whose aim is the advancement of arts education and its appreciation and the preservation of our artistic heritage.

These aims are promoted by lectures, given by a list of 365 accredited lecturers, on fine and decorative arts in their widest sense including artists and their paintings, sculpture, china, furniture, fabrics, architecture, archaeology, film and media, music, ballet and much more.