A HOST of colorful and exciting events and exhibitions will fill Gallery Oldham over the next month.
For more information call 0161 770 4653 or log onto www.galleryoldham.org.uk or www.gooldham.com
Exhibitions
Botanical Invasion (Until 3 October)
Flowers of gigantic proportions are taking over Gallery Oldham! The invaders are six oversized exotic species of plant life and inflatable flowers made by visual artists Spacecadets. Co-directors Jamima Latimer and Louise Miller have been making inflatable art, transforming landscapes and opening minds for over a decade. Visitors of all ages will be enthralled by this artwork and inspired to view the world differently.
Season’s Best (Until 31 October)
It is sometimes said that Oldham’s weather allows you to experience all four seasons in one day. This display will do the same thing – using our spectacular collections of art, natural history and social history. So come with us on a journey from spring through to winter as we celebrate the rhythms of the year. Find out more about Wakes Weeks and the Holidays at Home movement of summers long gone by. Or stroll amongst the autumn woodlands depicted by artists such as James Watts and Alfred East. Younger visitors will also enjoy exploring the wealth of our collections through a range of fun Family Friendly activities.
Designs on our Future (Until 3 October)
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
Rod Kippen: Surface (until 5 September)
The city environment incorporates lives lived, multiple experiences and varying material uses which all leave their mark on its surfaces. Rod’s work demonstrates how the city reflects these human experiences, affected by weather, time and wear, in its patina.
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 12 August, 2pm
Unearth the Natural History within Oldham Stories.
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.
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.
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.
Monday 3 and Wednesday 5 August, Monday 10 and Wednesday 12 August. Free – no need to book, just drop in from 1–4pm Face painting £2 per child.
The Small Cinema
Bringing cinema back to Oldham – Every month we hosts a children’s classic in The Performance Space. Saturday 22 August, 2pm: TBC
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
Paper Cutting Workshop
Thu 6, Fri 7 and Sat 8 August, 11.30am–3pm
Delve into the art of paper cutting and create some beautiful pieces to take home. The Paper Cutting workshop is for age 15+. Cost: £15 for all three workshops including all materials.
Explore Summer School
Monday 17 to Thursday 20 August, 11.30am–3pm
A week of workshops for young people who love the arts but need a little confidence boost! Explore a range of techniques, create work for your portfolio and go on a behind scenes tour of the Gallery. Each participant will also complete their Bronze Arts Award. Cost: £30 for the week including all materials and Bronze Arts Award.
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