We opened the doors of our Performing Arts Centre last night to welcome Andrew Graham-Dixon, leading art historian, critic and well-known presenter of arts television, for the latest in the PIE+ lecture series.

Mr Graham-Dixon entertained his audience with stories of his journey from reading English at Oxford University to working as a freelance journalist and art historian (via playing a lot of snooker at Camden snooker hall!). His love of art history took him to the Independent and Sunday Telegraph; to writing books: A History of British Art, Renaissance and Art of Eternity, and to travelling the world in the making of highly acclaimed arts television series the The Art of, for BBC 4.

He spoke of the importance of learning about artists other than the well-known names, saying“Surely we want to broaden people’s horizons?”. He encouraged us to explore the possibilities art offers, reminding us that art is something open to all:“You might be someone who’s really good at mathematics, but you might also be really good at making art.”

Many thanks to all involved for a fascinating evening.