RENOWNED arts venue the Whitechapel Gallery is launching a course to help art lovers take the tentative first step into the world of collecting art. The course which runs over Tuesday evenings over five weeks and some Saturdays will be led by the gallery

RENOWNED arts venue the Whitechapel Gallery is launching a course to help art lovers take the tentative first step into the world of collecting art.

The course which runs over Tuesday evenings over five weeks and some Saturdays will be led by the gallery's director Iwona Blazwick and includes a visit to the home of an art collector and a chance to meet auctioneers and explore some of London's galleries.

Iwona will give a guide to contemporary visual art from Warhol to Whiteread and the course continues with How to Collect, Meet the Makers and Where to Buy, sessions which include opportunities to meet leading collectors, artists and gallery owners. The course culminates with exclusive tours of a major auction house and art fair as a chance to begin a collection.

It costs �595 including a year's membership of the gallery, drinks receptions and a visit to the Frieze Art Fair in October.

Further details are available on 020 7522 7888 or Collecting@whitechapelgallery.org