Anster Nichts

Anster Nichts take place on the third Thursday of the month at 7.30pm in September, October, November, January, February and March.  Download our current season flyer here.

Members and non-members are welcome to attend our public talks at Dreel Halls in Anstruther, which are free for members. If you are not yet a member of the AIA you can attend individual Anster Nichts for £3 per event. Membership is £10 per year and to find out more please visit our Membership page.

A reminder that our 2020-2021 Zoom talks were recorded and can be viewed on our YouTube channel

 

Anster Nicht: ‘Be thine own palace’, the reclusive resident artist of Kellie

Date: 20th March 2025
Time: 7:30 pm
Location: Dreel Halls
Anster Nichts


One of John Henry Lorimer’s sisters affectionately accused him of ‘persistent burrowing’: of being inclined to retreat from the world. After finding early success as a portrait painter, with studios in both Edinburgh and London, he was lured to the East Neuk by his protective mother, concerned by his persistent ill health. A studio was purpose-built for him at their summer residence of Kellie Castle, where he came to spend more and more time; after his mother’s death in 1916 it became his principal residence. However, his career stagnated after its brilliant beginning; his professional reputation certainly faded, despite his continuing to paint until his death in 1936.

On a beam in the room below his studio a line from one of John Donne’s poems has been inscribed: ‘Be thine own palace, or the world’s thy jail’. Martin Gulbis, from Kellie Visitor Services, will consider whether Lorimer found his peace at Kellie Castle.

Members and non-members are welcome to attend our public talks at Dreel Halls in Anstruther. If you are not yet a member of the AIA you can attend individual Anster Nichts for £3 per event. Membership is £10 per year and to find out more please visit our Membership page:
http://www.anstrutherimprovements.org/support-us/membership/ 

The AIA supports a thriving and resilient community, helping to improve Anstruther for all