• DECEMBER 2009 TO FEBRUARY 2010 LISTINGS
Unless stated otherwise all exhibitions, activities and events take place at Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery. Normal opening hours are 10am to 5.30pm Tuesday to Friday and 10am to 5pm Saturdays and Bank Holiday Mondays. Admission is free. Café and shop facilities are open daily Tues to Sat 10.30am to 4pm. Visitors are advised to check in advance if they are making a special trip.
(NB. The museum will OPEN on 29, 30, 31 December but closed 25, 26, 27, 28 December and 1-5 January)
Exhibitions and Gallery Displays
EXHIBITIONS Free admission
Sir Joshua Reynolds: The Acquisition of Genius
21 November 2009 to 20 February 2010
This major art exhibition is designed to celebrate the life and work of a man who was born in Plympton in 1723 and went on to become one of Britain’s finest and most fashionable portrait painters. As the largest exhibition on Reynolds ever held outside London, it showcases new research by the University of Plymouth as well as works of art from our collections, major loan items from regional, national, public and private collections and fascinating personal objects. Learn about Reynolds’ career from his earliest commissions in and around the city to his pre-eminence in the London art world of the late 18th century as the founding President of the famous London arts institute, the Royal Academy.
SPECIAL DISPLAYS Free admission
‘Labelled’
A contemporary artwork by Dail Behennah
Now until 27 March 2010
Engage in the debate about the importance of museum collections, species diversity and conversation with this beautiful installation by contemporary artist, Dail Behennah. ‘Labelled’ features 500 hovering labels, each of which record a different species and which are based on the labels that document our natural history collections.
Labels in varying shades of white, cream and brown to represent living species are punctuated by labels in red to highlight those that are extinct or endangered. If museums did not hold natural history collections, many of which were collected in the 18th and 19th centuries and are rarely seen due to their fragility, the information associated with these species would disappear with them. Behennah’s installation draws attention to the often untapped resource and its continuing importance today.
Crafts Showcase: Doug Fitch
21 November 2009 to 27 March 2010
View a collection of recent work by Devon potter, Douglas Fitch. Fitch specialises in slip decoration using clays from the local area and cites Clive Bowen, Svend Bayer and Michael Cardew as his main influences. His pots feature the tones and textures of the countryside thanks to the natural materials used to create them, their unfussy styles and earthy colours.
Some of the items on display will be for sale, giving you an ideal opportunity to purchase an original piece of craft by a local maker. Works for sale can be reserved with a deposit. For those who do purchase a piece, payment of the balance and collection of the work will take place at regular intervals between now and the end of March 2010.
More overleaf……
GALLERIES Free admission
Bringing the World to Plymouth
Artefacts from Asia, Africa and Oceania.
Ancient Egypt
Statuettes, jewellery and a mummy inner coffin.
Uncovered
An archaeology-inspired gallery featuring hundreds of artefacts discovered in the local area.
Plymouth: Port and Place
An exploration of how and why the modern city of Plymouth has developed.
Explore Nature
Our family-friendly, interactive natural history gallery.
Atrium Gallery
A range of items from our large and significant decorative art collection.
Cottonian Collection
The legacy of an outstanding art collection assembled by Charles Rogers (1711-1784).
The China Connection
Porcelain from the Far East, Europe and the UK.
Artists of St Ives and the South West
A selection of works from our significant 20th century art collection.
Beryl Cook Tribute Wall
Displaying three works by this celebrated Plymouth artist who sadly passed away in May 2008. Two of the works are taken from the Museum collections whilst the third is on loan from a private collector.
Activities and Events for Adults
17th INTERNATIONAL CONCERT SERIES
Tickets can be purchased in person, via post or online at www.WeGotTickets.com. There is a 50p booking charge for online transactions.
Judy Carmichael: Thursday 3 December at 1pm – Tickets £10
The Story and The Harp: Saturday 5 December at 3pm – Tickets £7 Adults/£3 children
The Litmus Trio: Thursday 21 January at 1pm – Tickets £7.50
Peter Cigleris and Jennie-Helen Moston: Thursday 25 February at 1pm – Tickets £6.50
ADULT ART ACTIVITIES
Suitable for all abilities. 10.30am to 3.30pm. All materials supplied. Booking and payment in advance is essential. £25 per person (*£30) per workshop. Call 01752 304774 to make a credit or debit card payment over the phone or come in to the Museum to make a cash, card or cheque payment.
Saturday 5 December – Festive Birds and Hearts Booking deadline: 20 November
Saturday 12 December – Printed Paper, Ribbon and Tags Booking deadline: 27 November
Saturday 9 January – Adventurous Knitting Booking deadline: 11 December
Saturday 16 January – Book Making Booking deadline: 18 December
Saturday 23 January – Hand Sewn Patchwork Booking deadline: 8 January
Saturday 30 January – Seamless Felt Booking deadline: 15 January
Saturdays 6 & 13 February – Tapestry Weaving for Beginners Booking deadline: 22 January*
Saturday 20 February – Drypoint Etching Booking deadline: 5 February*
Saturday 27 February – Collagraph Printmaking Booking deadline: 12 February*
LUNCHTIME TALKS
Unless stated, talks begin at 1.10pm and last for up to 45 minutes. Admission is free but all talks are ticketed. Please call 01752 304774 or come in and collect a ticket from our Welcome Desk.
Tuesday 1 December – Reynolds Revived
Tuesday 8 December – A Christmas Carol
Tuesday 12 January – Sir Joshua Reynolds and the West Country
Tuesday 19 January – Reynolds and The Grand Tour
Tuesday 26 January – Reynolds as a Collector
Tuesday 2 February – Reynolds’ Non-European Portraits
Tuesday 9 February – The Wembury Gold Ingot
Tuesday 23 February – Titanic: The Return of a Dream
ART BITES
30-minute lunchtime tours of our decorative art displays or art exhibitions starting at 1pm. Admission is free but places are limited. Collect a ticket from our Welcome Desk or call us on 01752 304774 and we will post or put one aside for you. Everyone who attends our ‘Art Bites’ tours receives a voucher entitling them to a 20 per cent discount in our café afterwards – so they can grab themselves a quick bite to eat too!
Join our Assistant Keeper of Art at 1pm on the following Wednesdays for a 30-minute tour of our displays.
Wednesday 9 December – Plymouth and Bristol Porcelain
Wednesday 20 January – Martin Brothers and Art Pottery in the Collection
Wednesday 10 February – The China Connection
Join our ‘Young Explainers’ from the 2nd and 3rd year of the University of Plymouth’s BA (Hons) in Art History Course at 1pm on the following Wednesdays for a 30-minute tour of ‘Sir Joshua Reynolds: The Acquisition of Genius’ exhibition.
Wednesday 2 December – Reynolds as a Collector
Wednesday 13 January – Reynolds and Childhood
Wednesday 3 February – Reynolds and the London Scene
Activities and Events for Children and Families
WILD ABOUT PLYMOUTH
In Darwin’s Footsteps
Saturday 12 December, 11am to 1pm
Royal William Yard and Beyond
Walk in the footsteps of the great naturalist Charles Darwin. Starting at the Royal William Yard, just across from Barn Pool where the Beagle was moored, we’ll look out onto the site of Clarence Baths where Darwin stayed before setting sail on his voyage around the world. We’ll then retrace his steps – his daily walk into Plymouth to the Athenaeum, which at the time was the hub of scientific and artistic activities in this part of England. The walk will end at Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery where you will be given a voucher for a free hot drink in the Museum’s café! Public transport is the best option for this event as we will not be following a circular route. Plymouth City Bus 34. Meet us outside the Butchers Arms pub.
Booking essential. Call 01752 304774
£2 per adult/£1 per child/Under 5s go free
Eternal Creatures
Saturday 23 January, 12 noon to 3pm
Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery
Discover how scientists preserve animals for future generations in this fun and unique event. Pinned, pickled and stuffed creatures of all shapes and sizes from the Museum’s natural history collections will be on display. There will be plenty of opportunities to try a bit of preservation and labelling for yourself too!
Free admission – no need to book in advance.
THE IMAGINATORS
Fun, free sessions for pre-school children and their parents/carers. With a focus on play, exploration and learning, every week is different. Younger siblings/older babies are also welcome. 10.30am to 11.30am or 1pm to 2pm (with a prompt start!) on Wednesdays during term time. Advance booking is essential on 01752 304665.
•
• 2 and 9 December
• 13, 20 and 27 January
• 3, 10, 24 February
MAKE AND TAKE SESSIONS: CREATIVE SATURDAY SESSIONS
Make something then take it home – it’s as simple as that with our new Saturday sessions held at regular intervals throughout the year! Sessions provide the ideal opportunity for you to enjoy some quality time with your kids whilst helping them develop their creative skills. They are held at 11am, 1.30pm and 3pm and last for up to an hour. They are mainly suitable for children aged 5 to 11 although younger/older siblings are welcome too. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Admission is free but places must be booked in advance on 01752 304774.
Countdown to Christmas
Saturday 28 November
Christmas is less than one month away so join in with our preparations. Colour in cards and pictures to give to your family and friends or write a Christmas story, poem or letter to Santa on our special festive paper.
Yuletide Use Up
Saturday 19 December
Help us use up our art and craft materials from 2009! Make a scratch art mask, decorate a jumbo paper fish, do some Christmas colouring or create a penguin from heart and diamond shapes.
Chinese New Year 2010: Terrific Tigers
Saturday 13 February
Help us welcome in the start of the Year of the Tiger with our fun mask making activity and a chance to discover which animal in the Chinese zodiac you are.
Mothers’ Day 2010: Marvellous Mums
Saturday 6 March
Make mum feel really special this year. Come along to one of our fun workshop sessions and make a card and heart-shaped magnet to give to your mum on Mothers’ Day (14 March 2010).
Easter 2010: Chickens and Eggs
Saturday 27 March
Enjoy our chic and egg-themed craft activities as we get ready for Easter (4 April 2010).
HOLIDAY WORKSHOPS
Fun family-friendly workshops. All sessions are free with no need to book in advance. Drop in for as little or as long as you like – but please be prepared to wait a short while if we’re busy!
Deck the Halls
Saturday 12 December
10.30am to 12.30pm
Make a decoration for your Christmas tree using our collections as your festive focus!
Far Eastern Fish
Wednesday 17 February
10.30am to 12noon and 1.30pm to 3pm
Create a colourful fish based on the patterns and prints found on the Chinese items in our art collections.
Picture Perfect
Thursday 18 February
10.30am to 12noon and 1.30pm to 3pm
From the ordinary to the extraordinary! Be inspired by the great Sir Joshua Reynolds and produce an imaginative portrait of your very own.
SMEATON’S TOWER LIGHTHOUSE
A centrepiece on Plymouth’s Hoe, Smeaton’s Tower is one of the South West’s most well known landmarks.
Tuesdays to Saturdays and Bank Holiday Mondays 10am to 3pm
(Christmas and New Year opening information will be available at
www.plymouth.gov.uk/museums)
Admission prices Adults £2. Children/Seniors/Students £1.
Family Ticket and various concessions available.
For press enquiries and images contact Marketing
and Audience Development on 01752 306228 or email
jo.clarke@plymouth.gov.uk
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