News release for immediate release
Friday 30 August 2024
New exhibition launches Saturday 14 September
Connections – The Worcester City Collection, in conversation with the community
Connections is an exhibition featuring artworks from the Worcester City collection, selected by people based in Worcestershire. Art evokes different responses in people; the exhibition explores this idea and asks visitors to reflect on their own perspectives. Bringing together unexpected treasures and popular favourites from the collection in the exhibition visitors can see Pre-Raphaelite painter John Collier’s ‘Clytemnestra’ (c. 1914) – one of the largest paintings in the collection – and busy street scene ‘Market Day’ (1907) by William Frank Calderon.
This exhibition at Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum opens on Saturday 14 September and runs until Sunday 20 October 2024.
The Art Gallery and Museum has worked with members of local community groups to select artworks for the exhibition, including Worcestershire Children First, Children in Care, Sight Concern. Familiar views of Worcester and paintings with intriguing stories behind them will be displayed alongside contributors’ thoughts.
On Saturday 14 September, opening day celebrations include free 10-minute ‘spotlight’ talks in the exhibition at 10.30 and 11.30am, and 1.30 and 2.30pm. Visitors can contribute to a community artwork by getting hands-on with making a collage inspired by the exhibition. This will be displayed in the Art Gallery and Museum’s Activity Space while Connections is open. Live music will be performed in the museum as part of Worcester Music Festival.
On Fridays throughout the exhibition, there will be free creative workshops for adults. These artist-led sessions will use creativity – from doodling to origami – to increase mindfulness and mental wellbeing in participants. They are free to attend; please find further information and book at museumsworcestershire.org.uk.
“It’s been fantastic to work with a variety of community groups to develop this exhibition. We’re looking forward to people to coming to visit to see old favourites and thinking about Worcester’s collection in new ways,” Megan Keary, Learning and Outreach Coordinator, who has led the project at Museums Worcestershire.
There is free entry and no booking is needed. Visitors can refresh with a coffee, cake or lunch at Little Al’s at the Balcony Café. The exhibition is open from Saturday 14 September until 20 October. The Art Gallery and Museum is open Tuesdays to Saturdays 10am – 4pm, and Sundays 10am – 3pm. Plan a visit at museumsworcestershire.org.uk.
This exhibition is supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England and is part of Art History Festival 2024 organised by the Association for Art History.
ENDS
Notes to editors
Megan Keary, Learning and Outreach Coordinator, is available for interview.
Image 1: William Frank Calderon, ‘Market Day’, 1907, Worcester City collection.
Image 2: A community group in the art store at Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum.
Opening hours
Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum is free to visit, open: Tuesdays to Saturdays, 10am – 4pm. Sundays, 10am – 3pm.
Related events
Opening Day – Heritage Open Day
Saturday 14 September, 10am – 4pm. Enjoy 10-minute ‘spotlight’ talks in the exhibition at 10.30 and 11.30am, and 1.30 and 2.30pm. There will be live music, part of Worcester Music Festival, and children can become Museum Detectives with a fun trail.
Entry is free; part of the Heritage Open Days festival. Find out more at museumsworcestershire.org.uk.
Heritage Open Days is England’s largest community-led festival enabling people free access to history and culture. It runs from 6 – 15 September 2024.
Bite-size Talk
Tuesday 8 October, 2 – 2.30pm. Learning and Outreach Coordinator, Megan Keary, introduces Connections. Discover the process behind choosing the artworks and head into the exhibition together to discuss highlights in the gallery.
£4.50; book online at museumsworcestershire.org.uk.
Creativity for Wellbeing with artist Inner Knowings
Fridays 20 September to 18 October, 11am – 12noon. Worcester-based artist Inner Knowings will lead weekly creative workshops using creative methods to increase mindfulness and improve mental wellbeing. Each session has its own theme and is open to everyone (aimed at adults).
Free; booking is available at museumsworcestershire.org.uk. Alternatively, attendees are welcome to drop in on the day.
For more information or further images please contact Alice Benbow, Museums Marketing Officer: alice.benbow@worcester.gov.uk / 01905 361828.