Sharing Our Past

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The Cast Corridor 1887 ‘Passing the Long rest’ from the Magazine of Art 1887

Rita Carter would like to thank those of you who have already responded with reminiscences for the book titled ‘ An intimate Portrait of the RA Schools’. We are gradually receiving some very interesting pieces from members and also evocative photographs. Please keep these coming. Your stories might seem unremarkable to you but each one forms a part of the era in which you studied at the Schools and adds depth to the picture as a whole. Some of the letters have been brief but heart-felt; you do not have to write pages and pages. However if you want to make a contribution but feel stuck here are some suggestions to get you started. Send your contribution to The Royal Academy of Arts, Reminiscences, RASA, The Friends’ Office, Piccadilly, W1J OBD or by email to membership@rasalumni.org

1. Recollections of your first day and first term.2. Surroundings; interior & exterior impressions of the building.3. Names of Keeper, Curator, tutors and students.4. Photographs/portrait drawings etc of yourself or others as they were then.5. Any visual records of what the studios and their contents looked like.6. Teaching style and methods in contrast with previous teaching.7. Typical sights and sounds experienced on a daily basis; timetable, routine etc.8. Significant events; humorous, traumatic, transformative experiences.9. Attitudes to smoking, drinking, musical trends, fashion etc.10. Artworks by yourself or other students that trigger associations or significant ideas.Many thanks to Paul Bartlett for his help and advice.