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
Exhibitions
The Oldham Open 2015 (17 October – 5 December)
The Oldham Open is back! This show is held every two years to showcase work by artists living or working in the borough of Oldham. From drawing, painting and photography to ceramics, jewellery and sculpture, the exhibition features a wide range of artists with a huge array of styles. Work is for sale, so it’s the ideal opportunity to pick up some early Christmas presents for the art lovers in your life. There will also be a number of opportunities to meet and learn from some of the talented people exhibiting in this show.
‘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.
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.
Last chance to see…
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.
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.
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
Diana Terry: On The Edge (Until 7 November)
Experience the feelings of height and space found in places on the edge with the panic of vertigo and tinnitus. Diana Terry’s dramatic artwork shows breathtaking, yet sometimes uncomfortable views.
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 14 October, 2pm
Discover some of the Natural History on display in Season’s Best
Behind the Scenes
While many of our exhibitions contain objects from the collections it is not possible to show everything permanently. We run special tours of our stores to look at objects that are not currently on view.
Tuesday 8 September, 2pm: Natural History Collections. Sessions are free but please consider a donation to support the work of the Gallery. Booking is essential on 0161 770 4742.
Adult Art and Craft Courses
Glass Acts (Tuesdays 6, 13 and 20 October, 6pm to 8.30pm
Create colourful mosaics working with a variety of beautiful cathedral, opalescent and textured glass using UV bonding. Cost: £30 for all three workshops including materials.
The Oldham Open – Artist led workshops (Saturday 24 October, 10am–4.30pm)
Learn the art of expressive painting during this day of intensive tuition by artist John McCombs. Learners should bring their own materials. Cost: £30 for the full day workshop. Book early to avoid disappointment. Look out for more artist-led workshops happening in November.
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.
Half-term: Mon 26, Tue 27 and Wed 28 October
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.
Saturday 3 October
The Small Cinema
Bringing cinema back to Oldham -Every month we hosts a children’s classic in The Performance Space.
Saturday 31 October: TBC
Tickets cost £3 and include a goodie bag for children. You can reserve tickets at the welcome desk or call 0161 770 4742
You must be logged in to post a comment.