Talks
For news of upcoming Auctionet Academy events, keep an eye on Eventbrite here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/auctionet-academy-110612739831
For other upcoming and past talks, see below.
Good Design for All: Britan's Democratic Design Revolutions forHeritage Open Days at Stourbridge Quaker Meeting House
Britain has a story to tell about who gets to own beautiful things. The talk starts with the simplicity of the Arts and Crafts movement, to the wartime ingenuity of the Utility scheme, the optimism of the 1951 Festival of Britain, and the recent flat pack revolution. This talk explores the ideas, the people and the objects behind Britain's recurring determination to make good design available to everyone.
Black Country Object Club
Object Club is like a book club, but with things. Each month we will handle and discuss beautiful things that were made in the Black Country. You’re welcome to bring your own item, or see what others have brought. No expertise is needed! The discussion can cover our cultural history, craft traditions and our own personal taste - whatever we fancy.
Let’s celebrate our amazing, and often surprising, local heritage.
Auctionet Academy: Designed by Mistake – Slinky, Play-Doh & Other Happy Accidents
Many iconic designs began as accidents or experiments. This talk explores how mistakes and misuses became design history.
Many of the world’s most iconic designs were never meant to become icons at all. From the Slinky and bubble wrap to the Eames Lounge Chair and Song dynasty crackle glaze, chance, experimentation and even failure have played a surprising role in shaping design history.
In this talk, we explore how accidents, flaws and unexpected outcomes led to some of the designs we now consider classics – and why these moments of serendipity continue to fascinate designers, historians and collectors.
Join this online talk here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/designed-by-mistake-slinky-play-doh-other-happy-accidents-tickets-1980374954800?aff=ebdsoporgprofile
Auctionet Academy- Mid-Century Furniture: A Design History
Clean lines, new materials and modern ideals. Why mid-century design still defines how we live.
Mid-century furniture emerged from a post-war belief in progress, function and better living through design. Designers embraced new materials and production methods – from moulded plywood and tubular steel to modular storage and democratic furniture made for everyday homes.
In this talk with specialist Kayleigh Davies, we explore how designers such as Charles and Ray Eames, Arne Jacobsen, Eero Saarinen, Hans J. Wegner and George Nelson reshaped everyday interiors. We look at why their ideas – rooted in clarity, comfort and function – remain deeply embedded in how we furnish and inhabit spaces today, and why mid-century furniture continues to attract collectors around the world.
Join this online talk here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/mid-century-furniture-a-design-history-tickets-1978153394052?aff=ebdsoporgprofile#location
Auctionet Academy: 70s Design - Bold, Bright and Back Again
Bold colours, experimental materials and fearless forms defined 1970s design, reflecting a decade unafraid of excess and expression.
The 1970s marked a radical break from restrained modernism, embracing excess, experimentation and personal expression. Designers pushed boundaries with bold colour, expressive forms and unconventional materials – creating interiors that felt playful, personal and unapologetically different.
In this talk with specialist Kayleigh Davies, we explore the cultural forces behind 70s design, its daring approach to colour and materials, and why original pieces from the era are once again shaping contemporary interiors and attracting collectors today.
Join this online event here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/70s-design-bold-bright-and-back-again-tickets-1978152879513?aff=ebdsoporgprofile
Auctionet Academy: Famous Cats & Animals in Artwork
From ancient cats to modern blue horses – the animals artists loved, and collectors still chase.
Animals have long carried symbolic, emotional – and sometimes subversive – meaning in art. From sacred creatures and allegorical beasts to beloved pets and expressive stand-ins, artists have repeatedly returned to animals as powerful subjects.
In this talk with specialist Kayleigh Davies, we explore why animals appear so frequently in art, how certain works became enduring icons, and why they continue to fascinate collectors today.
Register for this online talk here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/famous-cats-animals-in-artworks-tickets-1978152214524?aff=ebdsoporgprofile
Barbie: The Doll That Changed Collecting
Register through Auctionet Academy on Eventbrite here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/barbie-the-doll-that-changed-collecting-tickets-1978139567697
Iconic Mid-Century Office Furniture – The Rise of Aluminium
Register through Auctionet Academy on Eventbrite here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/iconic-mid-century-office-furniture-the-rise-of-aluminium-tickets-1978136246764
Auctionet Academy | Shaping Britishness: Hidden Heroines of British Style
Behind many influential British interiors, textiles, and objects are the hands and minds of female designers whose contributions have long been under-recognised. This session, led by Kayleigh Davies, brings their stories to the forefront — from the Bloomsbury Group to Lucienne Day — and explores why their work is gaining new relevance and appreciation today.
Auctionet Academy | Shaping Britishness: Britain’s Artist Colonies Uncovered
Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, artists gathered in picturesque corners of Britain to live, work, and inspire one another. This talk, led by Kayleigh Davies, explores the unique spirit of places like St Ives, Newlyn, and Great Bardfield, looking at how geography, light, community and politics shaped their artistic output — and why these colonies still capture our imagination today.
Auctionet Academy | Shaping Britishness: Lovable Patterns – The DNA of British Design
From the romantic florals of William Morris to the unmistakable prints of Liberty and the enduring legacy of tartan, this session — led by Kayleigh Davies — explores the most iconic patterns in British design. We’ll uncover the stories behind these beloved motifs, how they reflect British identity, and why they continue to inspire fashion, interiors and collectors alike.