This Christmas, Worcester City Art Gallery & Museum is urging residents to support their local artists and craft makers and #ShopLocal through visiting two exhibitions which celebrate a wealth of local talent.

Crafted for You opens on Wednesday 2 December and runs up until 16 January and shows an exquisite array of jewellery, prints, ceramics and other handmade craftsmanship.

Worcestershire has a special history as a centre for decorative making skills and this tradition continues today and is proudly celebrated in this exhibition. Each piece has been made by a talented maker and hand-picked for this top-quality exhibition.

Crafted for You is perfect for that unique Christmas gift for someone special or a treat for yourself, all items are for sale and make perfect presents with a local provenance. Purchasing from the exhibition supports both the museum and local artists.

Maggie Wallace, exhibition curator said:

“Crafted for You is a celebration of craft with so many different makers on show all so talented and producing beautiful wares. If you are looking for a Christmas gift for someone special, or a treat for yourself, Crafted for You will have what you are looking for. It is even more important to #ShopLocal this Christmas to support our local creative communities.”

Visitors will also have the opportunity to see the Worcester Society of Artists 73rd annual exhibition which also opens on 2 December. Founded in 1947 to encourage the appreciation, understanding and practice of the visual arts, the Society has exhibited every year since their first year of existence at Worcester City Art Gallery.

On Saturday 5 December visitors to Crafted For You will receive 10% off all purchases in the exhibition and the Museum Shop. Every penny spent in the Shop goes back into supporting the work of the Art Gallery & Museum and enables exciting exhibitions and events to happen.

From 2 December a Reindeer Trail through the galleries will entertain families as they help Santa round up his reindeer in time to deliver all the children’s presents for Christmas. After completing the trail children can collect a special Activity Bag with a little bit of Christmas magic inside for Rudolph and his friends!

Visitors can be assured that government and public health guidance is being followed to keep everyone safe during their visit. Measures include one-way systems, contactless payments and hand sanitiser stations. The Art Gallery & Museum has been awarded Visit Britain’s ‘Good to Go’ industry standard. For more information on Covid-19 safety measures please see our updates page. Worcester is in tier 2, for more information on this please see www.worcester.gov.uk and the Government website.

Crafted for You and Worcester Society of Artists 73rd Annual Exhibition are on from 2 December until 16 January at Worcester City Art Gallery & Museum. The Art Gallery & Museum is open Monday – Saturday, 10.30am – 4.30pm, entry is free. The Reindeer Trail is also free but donations are welcome.

For more information see www.museumsworcestershire.org.uk or call 01905 25371.

ENDS

Image credit: Robins, 2020, Tania Holland. Copyright the artist

Please note: The Art Gallery & Museum will be open as normal up to and including Wednesday 23 December. Opening times over the Christmas period will be:

  • Christmas Eve: early closure at 1:30pm
  • 25 – 28 December: Closed
  • 29 – 31 December: Open (early closure at 1:30pm on New Years Eve)
  • New Years Day: Closed
  • Reopening as normal on Saturday 2 January 2021.

About Museums Worcestershire
Museums Worcestershire is the joint museum service of Worcester City and Worcestershire County Councils. It comprises three fantastic venues– Worcester City Art Gallery & Museum, the Commandery in Worcester and The County Museum at Hartlebury Castle.

The collections and exhibitions at our sites are many and varied, covering centuries of the county’s history right up to the present day. Thousands of objects, including the historic buildings themselves, are brought to life through innovative exhibitions and events throughout the year.