A HOST of exciting exhibitions and events will be held at Gallery Oldham throughout April.
For more information call 0161 770 4653 or log onto www.galleryoldham.org.uk or www.gooldham.com or email: galleryoldham@oldham.gov.uk
You can find Gallery Oldham in Oldham’s Cultural Quarter, Greaves Street, Oldham OL1 1AL. Gallery Oldham is part of the Library and Lifelong Learning building.
Exhibitions
Solar Flowers – Alexandre Dang (Until Summer)
Artist Alexandre Dang has displayed his dancing Solar Flowers around the world. They have become an iconic work testifying to his commitment to the power of renewable energy. The light, bright space of our central gallery will allow the flowers to be seen at their very best. Alexandre Dang comes from a scientific background and uses solar energy to animate his kinetic art works whilst also raising awareness of the potential of environmentally friendly technologies. Visitors may be both charmed by the flowers and awed by the power of the sun. After the exhibition the flowers will be on sale from the Gallery shop.
Black Sheep (Until 9 May 2015)
Felt is the most ancient constructed textile in the world and has been used for everything from cosy winter garments to conceptual art. This exhibition is an exploration of the edgier side of this extraordinary and versatile material, looking at artists who create sometimes disturbing and bizarre oddities and technically brilliant objects. Visitors will discover felt teddy bear skulls and mutated organisms by Stephanie Metz, seamless showstopping garments by Horst Couture and sculptural natural forms by Marjolein Dallinga. The exhibition is a touring show from The National Centre for Craft and Design.
Designs on our Future
We’re looking to the future with plans for a new Theatre and Heritage Centre in Oldham well underway. The scheme aims to bring the old library building back into use and develop surrounding land to create a vibrant cultural hub for Oldham. This is your chance to keep up to date with our progress, see the architect’s drawings and hear all about our plans. Photographer Ian Beesley and poet Ian McMillan have also been looking at this project and their creative responses will be on display. The project was awarded development funding by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Arts Council England in 2012. Since then we’ve been busy developing the concept with the aim of applying for further funding. Initial conversations have brought us a long way and now we’d like your ideas. To get you started we’ll be displaying the poster that advertised our first ever exhibition on 1 August 1883. Perhaps you’ll be inspired to design a new poster telling us what visitors might see in our new spaces.
‘Oldham Stories: Encounters with our collections’ (permanent exhibition)
In response to feedback from our visitors we launch a new permanent exhibition packed full of Oldham stories. This is your chance to see some of our most treasured artefacts alongside items that might just surprise you. We bring together objects from our Natural History, Social History and Art collections to look again at Oldham’s past and present. We tell the stories of a range of local figures such as suffragette Annie Kenney, the pioneering natural history collector James Nield and popular artist Helen Bradley. Oldham Stories features the breadth of our extensive collections. From birds and shells to archaeology and embroidered samplers, every object has a tale to tell. Artwork on show includes important British paintings from the Charles Lees Collection as well as paintings by artists that illustrate local scenes and characters.
Community Gallery
The Community Gallery features work by groups or individuals who live or work in Oldham, or anyone whose subject matter relates to Oldham. Do you have an exhibition proposal? Please contact Joy Thorpe on 0161 770 4663 or email joy.thorpe@oldham.gov.uk
Abirdabode (Until 2 May)
See some of the incredible Art Birdboxes created by people from across Oldham. Working with artists Richard Dawson and Jacqui Symons local groups were encouraged to explore urban and rural habitats using a variety of different art forms. For details visit: www.abirdabode.co.uk
Gallery Talks
Our monthly talks are free, informal and last around 40 minutes with time for discussion afterwards. There is no need to book. If you are bringing a group of more than five please contact the Gallery on 0161 770 4742 beforehand.
Wednesday 15 April, 2pm Wander through the Solar Flowers display
Adult Art and Craft Courses
Felt Up! Tuesdays 21, 28 April and 5 May, 6–8.30pm
Journey into the darker side of felt with workshops inspired by our Black Sheep exhibition. Beginners can learn more about this versatile material and the techniques used to make their own felt wall hanging, small bags and jewellery. Cost: £30 for all three workshops including materials.
Children and Families
Gallery Oldham is full of fun activities and events for families and children of all ages.
Children must be accompanied by an adult at all family sessions. If you are bringing a group of 10 or more please book in advance on 0161 770 4742. Arts and crafts at each session are most suitable for children aged 4–10 years.
Holiday fun at Gallery Oldham
Free family activities take place in the school holidays. Sessions are linked to our exhibitions so please take a look around the galleries before you come along.
Easter: Tue 7, Wed 8, Thu 9 and Fri 10 April
Free – no need to book, just drop in from 1–4pm. Face painting £2 per child.
Super Saturdays
Be inspired by our exhibitions! We’ve artist led craft activities, painting, drawing and creative fun for all the family on the first Saturday of the month.
Free – no need to book, just drop in from 12noon–4pm Activities are most suitable for children aged 4–10 years.
The Small Cinema
Bringing cinema back to Oldham -Every month we hosts a children’s classic in The Performance Space.
Saturday, April 18 at 2pm: Thye Book of Life (U)
A vibrant animated adventure set in Mexico. Tickets cost £3 and include a goodie bag for children. You can reserve tickets at the welcome desk or call 0161 770 4742
Activities for Young People
Painterly Printmaking Workshop Mon 13, Tues 14 and Wed 15 April, 11.30am–3pm
Experiment with drawing and mark making using printing techniques and create a number of stunning one-of-a kind prints to keep! Cost: £15 for all three workshops including all materials.
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