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Bowes Museum
Kith and Kinship exhibition inspires artists and reignites fond memories.

Media release
29.10.2024

Kith and Kinship exhibition inspires artists and reignites fond memories.

Sketches of people, places, pets and written warm recollections are all different ways that people are responding to The Bowes Museum’s Kith and Kinship: Norman Cornish and L. S. Lowry exhibition’s community wall.

Thousands of people have already flocked to the highly acclaimed show in Barnard Castle, which features more than 50 works, 35 of which are rarely shown or never-before seen. The exhibition of two of the greatest northern artists of the 20th century includes a self-portrait of Norman Cornish that was discovered on the back of another work during preparation for the show.

Vicky Sturrs, the Museum’s Director of Programmes and Collections, said: “We’ve been overwhelmed by the ways in which people are responding to the exhibition and the outpouring of creativity, love and affection shows that their work is just as relevant today as it was during their lifetimes.”

With an inspiring and insightful series of talks running alongside the show, visitors can find out more about the men themselves, their inspiration and the times they lived in.

There are still a few tickets left for The Future We Build with Ross Forbes talk, on Saturday, 16 November.  Ross is the Programme Director at Redhills, Durham and he’ll delve in to the history of mining and the mining community in response to the works. For more information and bookings, visit https://thebowesmuseum.org.uk/whats-on/the-future-we-build-with-ross-forbes/.

 

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Note to editors and picture desks:

View a selection of visitor drawings and comments from the community wall: Kith and Kinship community wall.

About The Bowes Museum

The Bowes Museum is a charity managing a Grade 1 listed accredited museum and Grade 2 listed parkland in Barnard Castle. Founded by Joséphine & John Bowes 150+ years ago, this purpose-built Museum brings together an extraordinary, Designated collection of European fine and decorative art as a cultural resource for the people of Northern England, where today we celebrate artists, designers and makers.

The Bowes Museum receives funding from Durham County Council and, as a National Portfolio Organisation, receives support from Arts Council England. Arts Council England is the national development body for arts and culture across England, working to enrich people’s lives. www.artscouncil.org.uk

The Bowes Museum is a member of the Discover Durham partnership of attractions, whose commitment is to promote Durham as an exciting and vibrant group travel destination and to provide the travel trade with a professional and knowledgeable service. discoverdurham.co.uk

Admission to The Bowes Museum is £16.00 for local members (residents of County Durham and Darlington), £18.00 for members (residents elsewhere), £19.00 for a standard day ticket, £20.90 for a day ticket including gift aid. Under 18s, full time students and carers are free.

As a registered charity (number 1079639) The Bowes Museum needs to generate more than half of its income each year to care for the historic collection, buildings and parkland. Donations are vital to its work. Visit https://thebowesmuseum.org.uk/support/ for more information.

Framing Fashion: Art and Inspiration from a Private Collection of Vivienne Westwood is open.

Media release
24.10.2024

Framing Fashion: Art and Inspiration from a Private Collection of Vivienne Westwood is open at The Bowes Museum.

Experience a golden decade of design with only-to-be-seen-here clothing from the late designer set among never-before-shown Museum objects.

19 October 2024 – 2 March 2025

This unique show features some of Westwood’s most recognisable creations from the mid-1980s to the mid-1990s, loaned to the Barnard Castle Museum by the private collector Peter Smithson.

The display, in the fashion and textile gallery, explores the inspiration Westwood took from paintings, sitters in portraits and the materials and techniques used by artists, and examines how she reflected this in her pieces.

The details in her work are highlighted by items from the Museum’s collection, showcasing the inspiration the Grand Dame of Fashion took from the art and interiors of the Wallace Collection in London, which marked the mid-point of a particularly creative period for the designer.

The Museum has also partnered with Northumbria University to bring Westwood’s pattern cutting techniques to life in video showing how she created her iconic garments that still inspire creatives today.

An events programme suitable for all ages accompanies the display with spotlight tours led by Rachel Whitworth, Curator (Fashion & Textiles) and Fashion and Textile artist Betty Brown will be leading workshops to design fashion sketchbooks and free-standing card mannequins for over 15s.  There will also be activities linked to the display for younger audiences in the Create gallery.  Full details are on the website https://thebowesmuseum.org.uk.

Vicky Sturrs, the Museum’s Director of Programmes and Collections, said: “We are delighted to be working with Peter once again to show the relevance of Westwood’s designs in the cultural space and hope that this show along with the accompanying programme will really inspire our visitors.”

Framing Fashion: Art and Inspiration from a Private Collection of Vivienne Westwood is open from 19 October 2024 until 2 March 2025.

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There is a selection of images of items that will be included in the exhibition here: Framing Fashion September release.

For press filming, photography and media enquiries, please contact our Marketing & Communications Coordinator, Sarah Webster sarah.webster@thebowesmuseum.org.uk. High-resolution images of the display will be available early November.

This exhibition is the result of a collaboration between The Bowes Museum and private collector Peter Smithson. It is not an institutional partnership with the Vivienne Westwood brand.

About The Bowes Museum

The Bowes Museum is a charity managing a Grade 1 listed accredited museum and Grade 2 listed parkland in Barnard Castle. Founded by Joséphine & John Bowes 150+ years ago, this purpose-built Museum brings together an extraordinary, Designated collection of European fine and decorative art as a cultural resource for the people of Northern England, where today we celebrate artists, designers and makers.

The Bowes Museum receives funding from Durham County Council and, as a National Portfolio Organisation, receives support from Arts Council England. Arts Council England is the national development body for arts and culture across England, working to enrich people’s lives. www.artscouncil.org.uk

The Bowes Museum is a member of the Discover Durham partnership of attractions, whose commitment is to promote Durham as an exciting and vibrant group travel destination and to provide the travel trade with a professional and knowledgeable service. discoverdurham.co.uk

Admission to The Bowes Museum is £16.00 for local members (residents of County Durham and Darlington), £18.00 for members (residents elsewhere), £19.00 for a standard day ticket, £20.90 for a day ticket including gift aid. Under 18s, full time students and carers are free.

As a registered charity (number 1079639) The Bowes Museum needs to generate more than half of its income each year to care for the historic collection, buildings and parkland. Donations are vital to its work. Visit https://thebowesmuseum.org.uk/support/ for more information.

The Bowes Museum’s Conversation Wall Highlights the Vital Role of Rivers

MEDIA RELEASE

7 October, 2024

 

The Bowes Museum Conversation Wall Highlights the Vital Role of Rivers

 

The Bowes Museum is proud to announce its latest Conversation Wall exhibit, dedicated to the importance of rivers and the urgent need for their protection.

 

The Museum is showcasing a collection of four captivating paintings that depict various riverside scenes from the 16th to the 20th centuries.

 

There include: View at the Mouth of a River 18th century Salomon van Ruysdael (Style of) (1602 – 1670); Landscape with a River, Bridge and Buildings, 18th century, Jan Friffier ii (Style of); River Scene with a Farmhouse, c.1751, Richard Wilson (c.1713 – 1782) and Reekie Lynn, 2018 by T.W. Cowing (20th century).

 

These artworks serve as a visual reminder of the beauty and significance of rivers as both natural resources and cultural landmarks.

 

The Conversation Wall aims to raise awareness of the threats facing rivers today, including pollution, increasing urbanisation, industrial development and the excessive extraction of water.

 

Visitors are encouraged to learn about the impact of human activities on these vital ecosystems and to take steps to protect them. The exhibit also provides practical tips, such as encouraging people to use eco-friendly products and disposing of waste responsibly.

 

“Rivers are essential to life on Earth, providing clean water, food, and transportation,” said Dr Howard Coutts, Curator (Fine Art and Design) at The Bowes Museum. “We hope that this exhibit will inspire visitors to appreciate the value of rivers and to take action to preserve them for future generations.”

 

The Conversation Wall rivers exhibit is displayed until 31 October 2024.

 

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Images of some of the artworks on show in the Conversation Wall can be found here: Rivers October

 

About The Bowes Museum

The Bowes Museum is a charity managing a Grade 1 listed accredited museum and Grade 2 listed parkland in Barnard Castle. Founded by Joséphine & John Bowes 150+ years ago, this purpose-built Museum brings together an extraordinary, Designated collection of European fine and decorative art as a cultural resource for the people of Northern England, where today we celebrate artists, designers and makers.

The Bowes Museum receives funding from Durham County Council and, as a National Portfolio Organisation, receives support from Arts Council England. Arts Council England is the national development body for arts and culture across England, working to enrich people’s lives. www.artscouncil.org.uk

The Bowes Museum is a member of the Discover Durham partnership of attractions, whose commitment is to promote Durham as an exciting and vibrant group travel destination and to provide the travel trade with a professional and knowledgeable service. discoverdurham.co.uk

 

Admission to The Bowes Museum is £16.00 for local members (residents of County Durham and Darlington), £18.00 for members (residents elsewhere), £19.00 for a standard day ticket, £20.90 for a day ticket including gift aid. Under 18s, full time students and carers are free.

 

As a registered charity (number 1079639) The Bowes Museum needs to generate more than half of its income each year to care for the historic collection, buildings and parkland. Donations are vital to its work. Visit https://thebowesmuseum.org.uk/support/ for more information.

 

 

The Bowes Museum announces leadership development opportunity for County Durham Arts & Culture Community

Media release
01.10.2024

The Bowes Museum announces leadership development opportunity for County Durham Arts & Culture Community

 

The Bowes Museum announces the launch of Durham Creative Community Fellows, a free learning experience for individuals driving positive change in County Durham through arts and culture projects. The innovative programme, run in partnership with NAS based in the USA, Derby Museums and supported by Arts Council England, is now accepting applications until 11 November 2024 at https://thebowesmuseum.org.uk/fellows.

Durham Creative Community Fellows empowers artists, community organisers, administrators and creative entrepreneurs who are driving social and physical transformations in County Durham to develop their leadership skills and take their arts and culture projects to the next level. The fellowship’s nine-month journey begins in February 2025. It includes a unique curriculum emphasising learning and growth, featuring monthly online meetups, online group sessions facilitated by leadership coaches, in-person convenings and more. Participants will also form a community of practice throughout the programme, drawing on their experiences to exchange knowledge, collaborate and hold each other accountable.

Durham Creative Community Fellows is a partnership between The Bowes Museum, NAS, a US-based organisation that builds and supports diverse communities of cultural leaders and Derby Museums. The three organisations are also partners on a country-wide version of the programme called UK Creative Community Fellows, which is now in its third year.

Durham Creative Community Fellows is a strand of the Into the Light Place Partnership Initiative in County Durham. Into the Light aims to develop enduring growth by fostering creative collaborations over 2024-2027. The initiative seeks to nurture talent, broaden access to creative education, enhance skills, and facilitate engagement and connectivity across the creative sectors.

Durham Creative Community Fellows’ curriculum was co-created by UK Creative Community Fellows alumni to ensure participants gain relevant and proven tools for advancing their projects. The programme’s teaching and facilitating team comprises artists, academics and creative leaders from across the globe.

Hannah Fox, Executive Director of The Bowes Museum, commented, “This is an exciting opportunity for County Durham’s talented arts and culture scene to elevate their work and further enrich our vibrant community.”

“Our hope with Durham Creative Community Fellows is to focus the success and impact of UK Creative Community Fellows on a county level, creating an intimate and profound experience for leaders who want to make this community a more future-thinking, inclusive and creative place to live.”

Prospective participants can learn more about the Durham Creative Community Fellows journey by signing up for an information session on 22 October or beginning their application at https://thebowesmuseum.org.uk/fellows.

Note to editors and picture desks:

The Bowes Museum is a charity managing a Grade 1-listed accredited Museum and Grade 2-listed parkland in Barnard Castle. Founded by Joséphine & John Bowes 150+ years ago, this purpose-built museum brings together an extraordinary collection of fine European decorative art as a cultural resource for the people of Northern England, where today we celebrate artists, designers, and makers.

The Bowes Museum receives funding from Durham County Council and, as a National Portfolio Organisation, receives support from Arts Council England. Arts Council England is the national development body for arts and culture across England, working to enrich people’s lives. www.artscouncil.org.uk

The Bowes Museum is a member of the Discover Durham partnership of attractions, whose commitment is to promote Durham as an exciting and vibrant group travel destination and to provide the travel trade with a professional and knowledgeable service. discoverdurham.co.uk

Admission to The Bowes Museum is £16.00 for local members (residents of County Durham and Darlington), £18.00 for members (residents elsewhere), £19.00 for a day ticket, £20.90 for a day ticket including gift aid. Under 18s, full time students and carers are free.

As a registered charity (number 1079639) The Bowes Museum needs to generate more than half of its income each year to care for the historic collection, buildings and parkland. Your donations are vital to that work. Visit https://thebowesmuseum.org.uk/support/ for more information.

About NAS
Established in 1983, NAS has been at the forefront of leadership development in the arts and culture sector for four decades. Its mission is to build and support a diverse community of arts and culture leaders who drive inspiring change for the future. In addition to leadership development, NAS offers coaching and a powerful network to arts and culture leaders at every stage of their careers. NAS has trained and supported more arts and culture leaders than any other organisation in the field. Learn more at www.artstrategies.org.

About Derby Museums
Derby Museums is an independent charitable trust operating three museums: the Museum and Art Gallery, the Museum of Making, and Pickford’s House. It cares for the cultural heritage collections on behalf of Derby City Council for the people of Derby. Derby Museums has the finest collection of work by Joseph Wright of Derby, the 18th-century artist of the Enlightenment and is ‘Designated’ by Arts Council England as a collection of national significance. Visit www.derbymuseums.org to find out more.

About Into the Light
Into the Light is a transformative programme that will drive long-lasting growth in County Durham through creative collaboration. Over the next three years, it will cultivate talent, widen access to creative education, enhance skills, and break down barriers in the creative industries. Fuelled by community empowerment and connection, Into the Light will support over 100 creative commissions, ignite performance-making at the heart of our communities, inspire children and young people, and deepen understanding of our unique heritage and global relevance. Into the Light is delivered by Durham County Council in partnership with Beamish Museum, The Bowes Museum, Durham University, Ensemble ’84, The Forge, No More Nowt, Northern Heartlands, Redhills CIO and TIN Arts. Culture Durham is a key stakeholder, representing the broader cultural sector. https://www.visitcountydurham.org/into-the-light/.

Framing Fashion: Art and Inspiration from a Private Collection of Vivienne Westwood – see a snapshot of only to be seen here clothing from the late designer and never before shown Museum objects that show her cultural influences

MEDIA RELEASE

30 September, 2024

 

Framing Fashion: Art and Inspiration from a Private Collection of Vivienne Westwood

The Bowes Museum’s newest exhibition highlights a golden decade of design with never- before-shown objects and only-to-be-seen-here clothing from the late designer.

19 October 2024 – 2 March 2025

The Bowes Museum is proud to be the only place to see a unique and striking mix of Vivienne Westwood clothing set alongside historical objects that showcase the cultural  influences she used when its newest exhibition Framing Fashion: Art and Inspiration from a Private Collection of Vivienne Westwood opens on Saturday, 19 October, 2024.

Fashion and art collide in a golden decade of design in this exclusive show which features some of the late designer’s most recognisable creations from the mid-1980s to the mid-1990s, loaned to the Museum in Barnard Castle from the private collection of Peter Smithson.

The exhibition, in the fashion and textile gallery, will explore the inspiration Westwood took from paintings, sitters in portraits and the materials and techniques used by artists, as well as examine how she reflected this in her pieces.

The details in her work will be illustrated and referenced by items from The Bowes Museum’s collection, highlighting the inspiration the Grand Dame of Fashion took from the art and interiors of the Wallace Collection in London, which marked the mid-point of particularly creative period for the designer.

Visitors to the exhibition will be able to see historical men’s fashion from the Bowes’ collection, which is rarely on display.  This includes the opportunity to walk around an example of a man’s coat from 1765, the shape and decoration embellished Westwood’s Dangerous Liaisons jacket from her first menswear show, Cut and Slash (SS 1991).

They’ll also be able to see fashion that’s recognisable from period dramas on tv, like a silk and cotton Woman’s spencer jacket from 1820 , which  hasn’t been displayed before, and which complements Westwood’s tweed spencer jacket with matching culottes from Portrait (AW 1990/91).

Two 17th century After Jan van Bijlert paintings of a Shepherd with a flute and Woman dressed as a shepherdess, which haven’t been shown before will come out of the Museum’s stores as they are similar to the artist Boucher’s pastoral paintings of the 1700s that inspired Westwood’s Portrait collection.

Visitors will also be able to see items from the Bowes’ collection that have been moved from their usual position to sit within the display because they highlight the exchange of ideas that Westwood used within her designs.  Chelsea Porcelain pot-pourri vases decorated with figures from the Commedia dell’Arte and Derby Porcelain candlesticks depicting Mars and Venus with Cupid complement Westwood designs featuring the instantly-recognisable checks worn by Commedia character Harlequin, and references to antique architecture and sculpture.

Museum founder Joséphine Bowes’ palette will be rehoused in this display.  As well as socialising with artists and being a trendsetting collector, Joséphine was an artist herself, with around 60 of her works in the Museum’s collection.  The figure of the artist was important to Westwood, who, as well as replicating and distilling their work on fabric, also applied their names to the garments they inspired, such as the Gainsborough blouse and Hals shirt.

The Museum has also teamed up with tutors and technicians from the Fashion Department at Northumbria University in Newcastle who have created digital deconstructions of Westwood’s painter’s smock (Salon, SS 1992) and Putti Stature of Liberty corset which will be shown near the garments, illustrating how they were cut from the fabric and stitched together to form the distinctive shapes.  In addition, samples showing Westwood’s corset manufacturing process and panels illustrating the way her Harris Tweed crown was cut out and stitched together will be displayed next to the items, as well as images of Westwood’s corsets and crowns in Vogue and i-D magazines.

This exhibition follows the success of A Collector’s Story: A Private Collection of Vivienne Westwood, which closed in May to critical acclaim.

Collector Peter Smithson said:

“I am delighted that The Bowes Museum is able to show this latest collection of pieces which highlight the homage Vivienne made to the work of Old Masters through her Portrait collection. The pieces displayed will explore the abstract ways Vivienne so wittily represented every aspect of what she observed, including inspiration and ideas she drew from alternative forms of creative expression. I hope the exhibition provides as much enjoyment for visitors as A Collector’s Story, and continues to pay an affectionate tribute to the irreplaceable Vivienne Westwood.”

Emma Jane Goldsmith, Assistant Professor of Fashion at Northumbria University added: “We were thrilled to be able to work on this exciting exhibition to help bring the pieces to life. The video highlights Vivienne’s approach to creative pattern cutting, and her ability to blend both historical and contemporary techniques and processes, to produce the iconic Westwood garments that continue to inspire creative practitioners today.”

Rachel Whitworth, The Bowes Museum’s Curator (Fashion and Textiles) continued:

“We are delighted to be working with Peter once again to showcase his fantastic collection alongside historic items from The Bowes Museum which illuminate Westwood’s artistic processes.  The addition of the work by Northumbria University will give visitors an insight into the design and making of some well-known Westwood pieces, and a sense of how they would feel to wear. We really hope that this show will not only inspire our visitors but also the fashion designers of tomorrow.”

Rachel will be giving a Curator’s introductory talk during the Spotlight Tours once a month for visitors to discover more about the exhibition at 11am on 7th November, 12th December 2024, 16th January and 20th February 2025.

Framing Fashion: Art and Inspiration from a Private Collection of Vivienne Westwood is open from 19 October 2024 until 2 March 2025.

 

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Notes to editors

 

There is a selection of images of items that will be included in the exhibition here: Framing Fashion September release

 

The press preview for this exhibition will take place on Friday, 18th October at 10.30am.  There will be the opportunity to photograph many of the items of clothing being prepared and conserved ready for the show on Tuesday, 8 October at 11am.

This exhibition is the result of a collaboration between The Bowes Museum and private collector Peter Smithson. It is not an institutional partnership with the Vivienne Westwood brand.

 

 

About The Bowes Museum

The Bowes Museum is a charity managing a Grade 1 listed accredited museum and Grade 2 listed parkland in Barnard Castle. Founded by Joséphine & John Bowes 150+ years ago, this purpose-built Museum brings together an extraordinary, Designated collection of European fine and decorative art as a cultural resource for the people of Northern England, where today we celebrate artists, designers and makers.

The Bowes Museum receives funding from Durham County Council and, as a National Portfolio Organisation, receives support from Arts Council England. Arts Council England is the national development body for arts and culture across England, working to enrich people’s lives. www.artscouncil.org.uk

The Bowes Museum is a member of the Discover Durham partnership of attractions, whose commitment is to promote Durham as an exciting and vibrant group travel destination and to provide the travel trade with a professional and knowledgeable service. discoverdurham.co.uk

 

Admission to The Bowes Museum is £16.00 for local members (residents of County Durham and Darlington), £18.00 for members (residents elsewhere), £19.00 for a standard day ticket, £20.90 for a day ticket including gift aid. Under 18s, full time students and carers are free.

 

As a registered charity (number 1079639) The Bowes Museum needs to generate more than half of its income each year to care for the historic collection, buildings and parkland. Donations are vital to its work. Visit https://thebowesmuseum.org.uk/support/ for more information.

 

 

Autumn at The Bowes Museum: Family Fun and Exclusive Exhibitions

Media release
19.09.2024

Autumn at The Bowes Museum: Family Fun and Exclusive Exhibitions

 

This Autumn, The Bowes Museum in Barnard Castle invites visitors of all ages to experience a vibrant mix of free activities and creative hands-on workshops inspired by the Museum’s collection, alongside exclusive exhibitions, all included with admission.

Daily activities for all ages:

Visitors can unleash their creativity and make their own artwork, objects and treasures in a self-guided activity every day in the Create Space. This activity is perfect for families wanting to make memories together.

If they’d prefer to head outside, Explorer Bags can be collected from Reception and include a guide and magnifying glasses to help identify the birds, plants and insects that call the parkland their home and see how the landscape changes in autumn.

Inside the Museum, the daily 11:00 Spotlight Tours offer a friendly and interesting 30-minute introduction to an exhibition, collection, object, or the building itself.

Autumn Half Term (26 October – 3 November)

Families can get involved in something different every day during Autumn Half Term (26th October – 3rd November).

The popular Artist Maker sessions happen every Saturday, and Wednesday during school holidays, from 1:00 to 3:00. These fun drop-in workshops are great for families with children aged 5 and up. Together, you can create something beautiful, inspired by nature, the Museum collections and the changing seasons.

We’re Going on a Plant Hunt is a new activity for young children under 5. On Monday, 28 October, from 1:00 to 2:00 they can connect with nature by listening to stories, singing songs, and exploring as they search the galleries to find objects inspired by plants, flowers, and animals.

Hedgehog Houses provide a safe place for the Museum’s friendly parkland friends to call home as they hibernate for the Autumn. All ages can get hands on outdoors in two drop-in sessions as they help to build habitats and play their part in protecting nature on Tuesday 29 October and Thursday 31 October, 1.00 – 3.00. Sessions will also take place later in the year on Saturday 9 November and Saturday 7 December, 1.00 – 3.00.

Family Story Tour returns this Autumn on Friday 1 November at 11.00 and 1.00 where visitors can join a fun and interactive hour-long tour that has been created with families in mind. The tour will take them on a journey through the galleries to highlight the interesting stories and fascinating facts behind some of the objects in the collection.

Creative Workshops:

Visitors (8+) can join a Needlework Bags taster session on Saturday 19 October from 1.00 – 3.00.  Participants of all abilities can learn different stitching styles from the experts at Take a Stitch 2 Durham, inspired by the Stories in Stitch exhibition. Book via the Museum’s website https://thebowesmuseum.org.uk/whats-on/needlework-bags.

Visitors inspired by the Kith & Kinship exhibition can join a Charcoal Workshop with artist Zoe Allen on 30 October, 1.00 – 3.00. The group will discuss the artists’ work and choice of materials, learning mark making techniques to create their own piece using charcoal. Recommended for those aged 15+, book online https://thebowesmuseum.org.uk/whats-on/charcoal-workshop/.

Talks:

For those looking for something to do on chilly Autumn weekends, a series of exclusive talks on artists Norman Cornish and L. S. Lowry will take place on Saturday 5 and 26 October and 16 and 30 November 2.30 – 3.30. This series is perfect for anyone interested in the artist’s work, stories and heritage. To find out more details about the talks and to book a spot, visit the Museum’s website https://thebowesmuseum.org.uk/whats-on/.

Heather Birkett from National Trust property Acorn Bank will talk about poisonous plants, their history and uses in From Murder to Medicine and Midsummer Mayhem on 31 October, 1:00 – 2:30. Bookings can be made online at https://thebowesmuseum.org.uk/whats-on/.

Exhibitions:

The Kith & Kinship: Norman Cornish and L. S. Lowry exhibition runs until 19th January 2025. It features over 50 paintings, drawings and sketchbooks by these artists, depicting scenes from their communities and the north of England. More than half of the artworks are from public galleries and private collections, with 35 pieces being shown to the public for the first time.

It’s the last chance for visitors to see Stories in Stitch in the Fashion & Textiles Gallery before it closes on 29 September. This special display shows an eclectic collection of rarely seen samplers and embroidered pictures dating from the 17th to the 20th centuries. Exploring the development and popularity of domestic embroidery in Britain, this is a must-see display for lovers of textiles and history.

In October, The Bowes Museum presents an exciting new exhibition Framing Fashion: Art and Inspiration from a Private Collection of Vivienne Westwood  (19 October 2024 – 2 March 2025). Fashion and art collide with a new selection of pieces from Peter Smithson’s private collection, showcasing some of Vivienne Westwood’s most iconic creations from the mid-80s to the mid-90s.  Items from the Museum’s collection will be displayed alongside Westwood’s pieces, highlighting how the iconic designer was inspired by art and historic fashion.

The world-famous Silver Swan automaton will play twice daily at 11.45 and 2.00 throughout the school holidays. Visitors can enjoy a brief overview of the history of this one-of-a-kind automaton and watch its magical performance. Please note that the Silver Swan will not be running 1 – 4 October due to a service that must be carried out three times every year. Visitors are invited to watch the Cumbria Clock Company carrying out this fascinating conservation work in the 19th Century (Blue) Picture Gallery.

Autumn Treats Featuring Local Suppliers

Visitors can also treat themselves to a bite to eat at the Museum’s award-winning ‘Café of the Year’. The new seasonal menu has just launched, filled with fresh autumnal produce from local suppliers. Menus and information about how to book a table can be found on the website https://thebowesmuseum.org.uk/visit/cafe-bowes/.

There are always new experiences to enjoy with family or friends at The Bowes Museum.

Note to editors:

Please note that unfortunately, ‘The Art of Joséphine Bowes’ talk featured on the flyer will no longer take place on 1 November 2024.

The Bowes Museum is a charity managing a Grade 1 listed accredited Museum and Grade 2 listed parkland in Barnard Castle. Founded by Joséphine & John Bowes 150+ years ago, this purpose-built Museum brings together an extraordinary, Designated collection of European fine and decorative art as a cultural resource for the people of Northern England, where today we celebrate artists, designers and makers.

The Bowes Museum receives funding from Durham County Council and, as a National Portfolio Organisation, receives support from Arts Council England. Arts Council England is the national development body for arts and culture across England, working to enrich people’s lives. www.artscouncil.org.uk

The Bowes Museum is a member of the Discover Durham partnership of attractions, whose commitment is to promote Durham as an exciting and vibrant group travel destination and to provide the travel trade with a professional and knowledgeable service. discoverdurham.co.uk

Admission to The Bowes Museum is £16.00 for local members (residents of County Durham and Darlington), £18.00 for members (residents elsewhere), £19.00 for a day ticket, £20.90 for a day ticket including gift aid. Under 18s, full time students and carers are free.

As a registered charity (number 1079639) The Bowes Museum needs to generate more than half of its income each year to care for the historic collection, buildings and parkland. Your donations are vital to that work. Visit https://thebowesmuseum.org.uk/support/ for more information.

A Rich Tapestry: Last Call for Stories in Stitch

Media release
13.09.2024

Download high-resolution photographs of the display and selection of objects here: Stories in Stitch at The Bowes Museum ©The Bowes Museum, photography by Claire Collinson Photography.

A Rich Tapestry: Last Call for Stories in Stitch

 

There’s just over two weeks for visitors to explore Stories in Stitch the captivating textile exhibition at The Bowes Museum in Barnard Castle, which closes on Sunday 29 September. This special display presents a collection of rarely seen samplers and embroidered pictures, highlighting different stitching styles side-by-side for the first time.

Stories in Stitch explores the development and popularity of domestic embroidery in Britain, highlighting the female makers who shaped its evolution. It also illustrates the impact of art and social history and the development of embroidery materials, techniques and teachings from the 17th to the 20th centuries.

Rachel Whitworth, Curator (Fashion and Textiles) said: “Some of the items have local connections to Barnard Castle and nearby towns, and to the Bowes family whose ancestral home was Streatlam Castle near Staindrop. The works give valuable insights into the social and historical importance of needlework to girls and women as part of their education, a hobby or pastime, or, for some, in their profession as an artist maker.

“The exhibition has been hugely popular with visitors to the Museum and we are inviting people to come and enjoy this unique collection before it ends.”

The exhibition also showcases Joséphine and John Bowes’ textile purchases which formed the founding collection of the Museum, alongside donations from the 20th century that have enriched it further by bringing unknown local and personal perspectives to the fore.

Visitors have acclaimed the show as ‘Stunning!’; ‘Inspiring’; ‘a feast for the eyes’ and as a ‘beautifully displayed, totally absorbing window into the past’.

Highlights of the display include the work of Mary Linwood (1755-1845), a pioneering artist with an international reputation. From the late 1770s, Linwood produced ‘needle paintings’, embroidered pictures copied from Old Masters and contemporary British artists such as Joshua Reynolds, Thomas Gainsborough and John Russell. Drawing inspiration from work she owned or saw on show at public exhibitions or in private collections, Linwood used crewel wool and silk highlights to produce images in long and short and satin stitches, imitating brush strokes.

Presented alongside examples of Linwood’s ‘needle paintings’ is the work of her contemporary, Anne Eliza Morritt (1724-1795) of Rokeby Park. Morritt created nearly 50 embroidered works, all of which are still in the family collection. Many are based on paintings belonging to her family, but others are copied from engravings of works now in public collections. Morritt was referred to in Arthur Young’s A Six Months Tour through the North of England in 1770 as “a lady of most surprising genius”. Every brushstroke was reproduced intricately in wool or silk, a truly ambitious body of work.

Creative Workshop:

Visitors inspired by the show can book a taster session to learn different stitch styles from the skilled and knowledgeable members of Take a Stitch 2 Durham on Saturday 19 October, 1.00 – 3.00. This workshop is recommended for ages 8+ and is suitable for all abilities. Spaces are limited and bookings can be made via the Museum’s website https://thebowesmuseum.org.uk/whats-on/needlework-bags.

A select number of items from Stories in Stitch will remain on display in the Fashion & Textiles Gallery after the exhibition closes, providing further opportunities for visitors to see some of the spectacular embroidered works in the Museum’s permanent collection.

Lovers of textiles and history must not miss this chance to see exquisite examples of historical needlework up close in Stories in Stitch, open daily, 10.00 – 5.00, at The Bowes Museum in Barnard Castle. The exhibition is free for Members and is included in normal admission charges.

Note to editors:

The Bowes Museum is a charity managing a Grade 1 listed accredited Museum and Grade 2 listed parkland in Barnard Castle. Founded by Joséphine & John Bowes 150+ years ago, this purpose-built Museum brings together an extraordinary, Designated collection of European fine and decorative art as a cultural resource for the people of Northern England, where today we celebrate artists, designers and makers.

The Bowes Museum receives funding from Durham County Council and, as a National Portfolio Organisation, receives support from Arts Council England. Arts Council England is the national development body for arts and culture across England, working to enrich people’s lives. www.artscouncil.org.uk

The Bowes Museum is a member of the Discover Durham partnership of attractions, whose commitment is to promote Durham as an exciting and vibrant group travel destination and to provide the travel trade with a professional and knowledgeable service. discoverdurham.co.uk

Admission to The Bowes Museum is £16.00 for local members (residents of County Durham and Darlington), £18.00 for members (residents elsewhere), £19.00 for a day ticket, £20.90 for a day ticket including gift aid. Under 18s, full time students and carers are free.

As a registered charity (number 1079639) The Bowes Museum needs to generate more than half of its income each year to care for the historic collection, buildings and parkland. Your donations are vital to that work. Visit https://thebowesmuseum.org.uk/support/ for more information.

Celebrate the Festive Season at The Bowes Museum

 

MEDIA RELEASE

11 November 2024

 

CELEBRATE THE FESTIVE SEASON AT THE BOWES MUSEUM

 

There’s excitement in the air as The Bowes Museum announces its winter programme of activities, including the return of the popular Winter Market.

 

The galleries and grounds of the French styled Museum in Barnard Castle are once again set to come alive with the sights, sounds and smells of the season as the highly anticipated annual Winter Market returns from Friday, 13 December until Sunday, 15 December 2024.

 

Not only does the market offer a unique shopping experience with a wide variety of local and handmade gifts, it also includes free access to the Museum’s stunning galleries and exhibitions, ensuring that visitors can immerse themselves in what the attraction has to offer.

 

This highlight in the North East’s regional calendar features dozens of local and regional artisan traders and small businesses who sell a wide variety of unique products ranging from delicious food and scrumptious drinks to intricate, beautifully crafted homewares and fine jewellery.

There will be lots to see and do for people of all ages, including joining artist led workshops, themed tours, Christmas activities and live entertainment, including carollers and musicians.

 

The stalls are set both outside on the Museum’s formal parterre garden and also through the magnificent 2nd floor Picture Galleries and inside the Jubilee Room.

 

Specialist outdoor matting, free pre-bookable accessible parking and a lift inside the Museum make the market accessible to everyone.

 

This year there is a discounted entry price of £6.50 per adult for tickets bought before 6 December, with the price rising to £7.50 thereafter.  Admission for under 18s, carers and full-time students is free.  Free parking is also available on a first come, first served basis, with alternative car parking in town just a short walk away.

 

David Nicholls, The Bowes Museum’s Enterprise Manager, said:

 

 “We’re looking forward to hosting the Winter Market again this year.  It’s a special event full of Christmas spirit and has a truly wonderful atmosphere.  It’s also a great way to see the Museum decorated for the season and to pick up some unique locally handmade gifts and delicious food and drinks. 

 

“We also have a few remaining spaces available for traders who’d like to come and sell their goods at this ever-popular event.”

 

As well as the Winter Market, the Museum is delighted to present a wide range of events that have been inspired by the season.

 

These include:

 

  • Themed bookable artist makers sessions from 22nd November onwards, where people can create their own lino printed Christmas cards, festive decorations, winter swans and snowflakes
  • A Museum Festive Late, with free admission on Friday, 6 December where visitors can enjoy wandering around the 1st floor galleries, see the highly acclaimed Kith and Kinship: Norman Cornish and L.S. Lowry and Framing Fashion: Art and Inspiration from a Private Collection of Vivienne Westwood Visitors can treat themselves or someone they know to some goodies from the Museum shop and make a night of it, enjoying a bite to eat and a warm mulled cider from the award-winning menu in Cafe Bowes.
  • Café Bowes will be offering Festive Afternoon Teas throughout December and mulled seasonal drinks.
  • There will also be a delicious locally sourced traditional seasonal menu including turkey, salmon and mince pies. Groups of 10 or more are advised to pre-order. Booking can be made by contact Café Bowes on 01833 690606.

 

As the Winter Market is a special event, members will need to buy a ticket for admission.

 

If traders are interested in taking a stall at this year’s event, they can contact the Museum’s events team at winter@thebowesmuseum.org.uk

 

There’s more information about the Museum’s winter activities on the website: thebowesmuseum.org.uk/winter-at-the-bowes-museum/

 

Notes to editors and picture desks:

…

The Bowes Museum is a charity managing a Grade 1 listed accredited Museum and Grade 2 listed parkland in Barnard Castle. Founded by Joséphine & John Bowes 150+ years ago, this purpose-built Museum brings together an extraordinary, Designated collection of European fine and decorative art as a cultural resource for the people of Northern England, where today we celebrate artists, designers and makers.

The Bowes Museum receives funding from Durham County Council and, as a National Portfolio Organisation, receives support from Arts Council England. Arts Council England is the national development body for arts and culture across England, working to enrich people’s lives. www.artscouncil.org.uk

The Bowes Museum is a member of the Discover Durham partnership of attractions, whose commitment is to promote Durham as an exciting and vibrant group travel destination and to provide the travel trade with a professional and knowledgeable service. discoverdurham.co.uk

Admission to The Bowes Museum is £16.00 for local members (residents of County Durham and Darlington), £18.00 for members (residents elsewhere), £19.00 for a day ticket, £20.90 for a day ticket including gift aid. Under 18s, full time students and carers are free.

As a registered charity (number 1079639) The Bowes Museum needs to generate more than half of its income each year to care for the historic collection, buildings and parkland. Your donations are vital to that work. Visit https://thebowesmuseum.org.uk/support/ for more information.

GET HANDS ON WITH THE COLLECTION, DISCOVER BEHIND THE SCENE’S SECRETS AND ENJOY INFORMAL TALKS WITH THE EXPERTS AS THE BOWES MUSEUM OFFERS FREE ENTRY TO ENCOURAGE THE COMMUNITY TO ENJOY NATIONAL HERITAGE OPEN DAY SATURDAY, 7 SEPTEMBER 2024

Throughout the day a host of new and refreshed indoor and outdoor activities is on offer for visitors who want to get hands on with the collection or discover behind the scenes secrets and enjoy informal talks with experts all for free, as The Bowes Museum, one of the North East’s foremost attractions, joins the Heritage Open Day scheme on Saturday, 7 September 2024.

With brand new tours, previously unseen artworks, object handling and storytelling; there really is something for everyone to enjoy in a day packed full of activities at the Barnard Castle Museum with its award-winning café and 22 acres of parkland to explore.

Visitors can join the very first LGBTQIA+ tour exploring symbolism and hidden references in the collection from past times to present day, uncovering gender identity, sexuality and drag history; or chat to Vicky Sturrs, the Director of Programmes and Collections as she leads insightful, informal walks round the breath-taking Kith and Kinship: Norman Cornish and L. S. Lowry exhibition.

Previously unshown sketches and prints by Museum founder Joséphine Bowes will be highlighted in a series of talks by PhD student Harriette Moore and PhD student Amanda Raine will be exploring a collection of more than 50 hats and the memories and stories these evoke, where visitors will also have the chance to try some of them on.

A rare opportunity to handle Roman pottery and Stone Age items, as part of a specialist volunteer led object handling sessions is on offer, or a chance to get up close and personal with pests and conservation cleaning techniques with Collections Coordinator Joe Kinsey as he demonstrates conservation in action.

Visiting teenagers interested in finding out more about life behind the scenes can join in Young Curator taster sessions.

There will also be the opportunity to see the stunning and intricate 15th century Altar Piece being opened at midday and find out more about this fascinating object and the predella panel painted by Sassetta.

The iconic Silver Swan will be wowing audiences with its performance at 11.45am and again at 2pm.

For those visitors curious about museum management, there’s an opportunity to find out just how much it costs to keep the Museum running as a registered charity.

Hannah Fox, The Bowes Museum’s Executive Director, said:

“Heritage Open Day is a real highlight for us as it’s such a brilliant way to showcase the nation’s brilliant cultural gems and introduce people to The Bowes Museum who have perhaps not visited before. Our staff and volunteers love sharing their passion for the collection, building and grounds with our community, and we’re excited to share our latest exhibition, Kith and Kinship: Norman Cornish and L. S. Lowry. We want to inspire people to enjoy and value the heritage on their doorstep, and whilst the day is free, we’re also offering a great discount for people to join as members on the day and visit again and again throughout the year.”

More information about Heritage Open Day and a full breakdown of what’s happening throughout the day can be found on the Museum’s website: www.thebowesmuseum.org.uk

 

-ENDS-

 

Notes to editors

About The Bowes Museum

The Bowes Museum is a charity managing a Grade 1 listed accredited museum and Grade 2 listed parkland in Barnard Castle. Founded by Joséphine & John Bowes 150+ years ago, this purpose-built Museum brings together an extraordinary, Designated collection of European fine and decorative art as a cultural resource for the people of Northern England, where today we celebrate artists, designers and makers.

The Bowes Museum receives funding from Durham County Council and, as a National Portfolio Organisation, receives support from Arts Council England. Arts Council England is the national development body for arts and culture across England, working to enrich people’s lives. www.artscouncil.org.uk

The Bowes Museum is a member of the Discover Durham partnership of attractions, whose commitment is to promote Durham as an exciting and vibrant group travel destination and to provide the travel trade with a professional and knowledgeable service. discoverdurham.co.uk

 

Admission to The Bowes Museum is £16.00 for local members (residents of County Durham and Darlington), £18.00 for members (residents elsewhere), £19.00 for a standard day ticket, £20.90 for a day ticket including gift aid. Under 18s, full time students and carers are free.

 

As a registered charity (number 1079639) The Bowes Museum needs to generate more than half of its income each year to care for the historic collection, buildings and parkland. Donations are vital to its work. Visit https://thebowesmuseum.org.uk/support/ for more information.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Bowes Museum’s latest Conversation Wall display ‘Paris Then and Now’ celebrates the Museum’s historical connection to Paris

The Bowes Museum’s latest Conversation Wall display ‘Paris Then and Now’ celebrates the Museum’s historical connection to Paris as the city sits at the centre of the sporting world this summer.

The Bowes Museum in Barnard Castle unveiled its latest topical display titled ‘Paris: Then and Now’ on Saturday 10th August 2024. Visitors to the Museum can admire beautiful undeveloped scenes of 19th century Paris, a nod to its history as it hosts this year’s summer Olympics and Paralympic Games.

The display is located on the ‘Conversation Wall’ in the Museum’s entrance hall and tells the story of unrecognisable Parisian suburbs, that have since developed into the lively city that sits at the centre of the sporting world this summer. Many of the city of light’s iconic sites have been transformed into the backdrops for sporting events, playing host to athletes and thousands of spectators from around the globe.

The Museum also has a historical connection to Paris. Museum founder Joséphine Bowes, neé Coffin-Chevallier, was an actress at the Théâtre des Variétés in the city (that still stands today). This is where she met John Bowes for the first time in 1847 who later bought and managed the theatre. The couple married in 1852 and Joséphine then retired from the stage to concentrate on her work as an artist and collecting for their Museum in Barnard Castle, County Durham.

The three landscape works on show were collected by Joséphine Bowes, perhaps because of her personal connection to the city where she grew up and worked. Amongst the Bowes’ collection is a large proportion of works by modern French artists, who portrayed Paris’ city centre and suburbs. As building in Paris developed, most of the landscapes these artists painted became unrecognisable. The map taken from Galignani’s New Paris Guide dates to 1867, shows a Paris that Joséphine would have recognised during the period that the couple were creating their Museum.

Don’t miss this opportunity to engage in conversation at The Bowes Museum’s new display ‘Paris Then and Now’ from Saturday 10th August until Wednesday 4th September. The Bowes Museum is open 10.00-5.00 daily.

Notes to editors and picture desks:

You can download images of the objects in the display here: Conversation Wall Paris Then and Now

The Bowes Museum is a charity managing a Grade 1 listed accredited Museum and Grade 2 listed parkland in Barnard Castle. Founded by Joséphine & John Bowes 150+ years ago, this purpose-built Museum brings together an extraordinary, Designated collection of European fine and decorative art as a cultural resource for the people of Northern England, where today we celebrate artists, designers and makers.

The Bowes Museum receives funding from Durham County Council and, as a National Portfolio Organisation, receives support from Arts Council England. Arts Council England is the national development body for arts and culture across England, working to enrich people’s lives. www.artscouncil.org.uk

The Bowes Museum is a member of the Discover Durham partnership of attractions, whose commitment is to promote Durham as an exciting and vibrant group travel destination and to provide the travel trade with a professional and knowledgeable service. discoverdurham.co.uk

Admission to The Bowes Museum is £16.00 for local members (residents of County Durham and Darlington), £18.00 for members (residents elsewhere), £19.00 for a day ticket, £20.90 for a day ticket including gift aid. Under 18s, full time students and carers are free.

As a registered charity (number 1079639) The Bowes Museum needs to generate more than half of its income each year to care for the historic collection, buildings and parkland. Your donations are vital to that work. Visit https://thebowesmuseum.org.uk/support/ for more information.

KITH AND KINSHIP: NORMAN CORNISH AND L. S. LOWRY OPENS WITH AN EXTENSIVE, WIDE RANGING AND THOUGHT-PROVOKING EVENTS PROGRAMME AND TO ACCLAIM AT THE BOWES MUSEUM IN BARNARD CASTLE.

Hundreds of people have already flocked to see the highly anticipated landmark exhibition, Kith and Kinship: Norman Cornish and L. S. Lowry at The Bowes Museum.

 

This powerful show, which opened on the 20th of July, 2024 at the Barnard Castle venue is accompanied by a wide-ranging, thought-provoking and engaging events programme.

 

And the exhibition is receiving critical acclaim around the globe, with coverage in America, Europe and across the UK.

 

Reviews are hailing it as: ‘Terrific!!’; ‘Wonderfully curated and presented’; ‘Fascinating’, ‘Brilliant’, ‘Amazing’; ‘Unforgettable and extraordinary’ and as a ‘very moving wonderful exhibition’.

 

John Cornish, Norman Cornish’s son said:

“This is an extraordinary exhibition, never-before has my father’s work been shown in such a scale alongside his contemporary and regular acquaintance L. S. Lowry in such a super setting.  The stories behind each artwork have been woven across the exhibition wonderfully, offering visitors another perspective on both the artists and their subjects.  I really encourage you to come and see it.”

 

Hannah Fox, the Executive Director of The Bowes Museum added:

“We have been blown away by the fantastic response that this exhibition has received so far.  It’s been a walk down memory road for many people who warmly remember seeing their work shown together during their lifetimes at The Stone Gallery in Newcastle and for others it’s a fascinating look at the documented changing social history of the North seen through two very different yet related lenses.  We are delighted to be staging this to give people another rare, long-awaited opportunity to see their work together.”

 

Featuring more than 35 previously unseen or rarely shown artworks among the 50 on display, this is a chance to view works by two of the greatest Northern artists of the 20th century; including a newly discovered self portrait of Norman Cornish that was uncovered during preparations for the show, which is turned twice a day at 11am and 2.30pm.

 

It also includes some of their most recognisable works on loan to the Museum from private collectors and galleries across the UK.  Visitors can see Cornish’s The Gossips, Miners on a Pit Road and The Busy bar 1976 as well as L. S. Lowry’s The Procession 1927, Lancashire Fair and A Cricket Match to name just a few.

 

The exhibition is accompanied by a wide ranging and engaging events programme, that’s bookable and free with admission, which includes the chance to hear from Norman Cornish’s family as well as experts from The Lowry Collection in Salford and academics.

 

The first of these will take place on Saturday, 31 August when Mike Thornton, Norman Cornish’s son in law will present an illustrated talk called Mr Cornish and Mr Lowry: A Tale of Two Artists that will reveal some interesting and unusual aspects of their work.

 

Vicki Pugh from the Institute of Social Justice at York St John University will explore how the changing industrial landscape was represented through art in Painting and pollution: a surprising new industrial aesthetic on Saturday, 5 October.

 

Visitors can discover an overview of the broad range of Lowry’s work with About L S Lowry with Claire Stewart on Saturday, 26 October.  Claire is the Curator of The Lowry Collection in Salford which has kindly lent eight works to the exhibition including: Self Portrait; The Bedroom, Pendlebury; Teenagers and Waiting for the Tide.

 

And John Cornish, Norman Cornish’s son, will share intimate stories of his father’s life and work in an informal deep dive into the life and art of one of the North’s most famous painters on Saturday, 30th November.

 

The artist Zoe Allen will be leading charcoal drawing workshops on Monday 5th and 12th of August, where participants will be lead through the exhibition before exploring the qualities of material through mark-making and different drawing techniques to create their own landscape to take away.

 

There’s also space within the exhibition gallery for visitors to sketch or pop down their own thoughts, memories or inspiration sparked by the show.

 

People can also take home a memento of the exhibition as the Museum shop is stocked with a wide variety of books, cards and jigsaws featuring the artists and their works as well as a selection of Cornish reproduction prints and the equipment needed to create their own artworks.

 

Kith and Kinship: Norman Cornish and L. S. Lowry is open at The Bowes Museum in Barnard Castle until Sunday, 19th January 2025.

 

 

Notes to editors

About The Bowes Museum

The Bowes Museum is a charity managing a Grade 1 listed accredited museum and Grade 2 listed parkland in Barnard Castle. Founded by Joséphine & John Bowes 150+ years ago, this purpose-built Museum brings together an extraordinary, Designated collection of European fine and decorative art as a cultural resource for the people of Northern England, where today we celebrate artists, designers and makers.

The Bowes Museum receives funding from Durham County Council and, as a National Portfolio Organisation, receives support from Arts Council England. Arts Council England is the national development body for arts and culture across England, working to enrich people’s lives. www.artscouncil.org.uk

The Bowes Museum is a member of the Discover Durham partnership of attractions, whose commitment is to promote Durham as an exciting and vibrant group travel destination and to provide the travel trade with a professional and knowledgeable service. discoverdurham.co.uk

 

Admission to The Bowes Museum is £16.00 for local members (residents of County Durham and Darlington), £18.00 for members (residents elsewhere), £19.00 for a day ticket, £20.90 for a day ticket  including gift aid. Under 18s, full time students and carers are free.

 

As a registered charity (number 1079639) The Bowes Museum needs to generate more than half its income each year to care for the historic collection, buildings and parkland. Donations are vital to its work. Visit https://thebowesmuseum.org.uk/support/ for more information.

Re-imagined historic narratives through the lens of a contemporary maker: Michael McCormack exhibits at The Bowes Museum

Media Release

 

29.07.2024

 

Re-imagined historic narratives through the lens of a contemporary maker: Michael McCormack exhibits at The Bowes Museum.

 

Saturday 27 July 2024 –Sunday 9 February 2025

 

North East artist, Micheal James McCormack (b.1996) has been commissioned to create three pieces of work in response to The Bowes Museum’s collection that will appear on flagpoles on the terrace at the front of the Museum in Barnard Castle.

 

The works are titled Black Forest Waterfall, The Swan and Château du Barry, Louveciennes (2024) and have been inspired by objects from the Museum’s collection and historical stories that McCormack has studied during a period of research with the Museum.

 

Whilst working on the commission, McCormack studied two landscape paintings created by Museum founder Joséphine Bowes that depict a waterfall in Germany’s Black Forest and a rural scene in Louveciennes, the Île de France region. The paintings have been playfully reimagined as a nod to how environments result from a historical dialogue between humans and the natural world.

 

The central flag design is a tribute to the Museum’s iconic Silver Swan, one of the finest examples of 18th century automata in the world. It highlights the importance of traditional knowledge and skills exchange, in this case, horology (the art of clock-making) in preserving objects of cultural significance that are meaningful to a community.

 

Taking inspiration from Museum artefacts and historical records, Michael has explored themes of lineage, storytelling, historical value and the interaction between humans and nature within the context of the Museum.

 

Artist, Michael McCormack, commented:

“I was really so thrilled when The Bowes Museum approached me for this commission and was heartened and excited to be afforded the opportunity for so much creative freedom. As I painted the designs the swan dominated my newsfeed thanks to the generous public donations allowing its refurbishment.  So, I wanted to celebrate this good news by creating a striking flag design of a swan in portrait, flanked by two landscapes by Joséphine Bowes, the collector who brought said piece to the Museum.”

 

Vicky Sturrs, The Bowes Museum’s Director of Programmes and Collections, said:

“We’re delighted to follow the legacy of the Museum’s founders Joséphine and John Bowes, in our mission to support regional Artists, Designers and Makers like Michael in our programming.   We love to offer visitors exceptional artistic experiences and this commission showcases how artists continue to use The Bowes Museum and its collection as a relevant resource and allows viewers to explore and engage with the Museum in a new, unique way, considering the relationship between history, nature and human creativity.”

 

Michael McCormack’s designs will be displayed on the terrace at the front of the Museum until Sunday 9 February 2025.

 

Notes to editors and picture desks:

You can download images of Michael’s flag designs here: Michael McCormack flagpole designs

 

The Bowes Museum is a charity managing a Grade 1 listed accredited Museum and Grade 2 listed parkland in Barnard Castle. Founded by Joséphine & John Bowes 150+ years ago, this purpose-built Museum brings together an extraordinary, Designated collection of European fine and decorative art as a cultural resource for the people of Northern England, where today we celebrate artists, designers and makers.

The Bowes Museum receives funding from Durham County Council and, as a National Portfolio Organisation, receives support from Arts Council England. Arts Council England is the national development body for arts and culture across England, working to enrich people’s lives. www.artscouncil.org.uk

The Bowes Museum is a member of the Discover Durham partnership of attractions, whose commitment is to promote Durham as an exciting and vibrant group travel destination and to provide the travel trade with a professional and knowledgeable service. discoverdurham.co.uk

 

Admission to The Bowes Museum is £13.50 for local members (residents of County Durham and Darlington), £15.50 for members (residents elsewhere), £18.00 for a day ticket, £19.80 for a day ticket including gift aid. Under 18s, full time students and carers are free.

 

As a registered charity (number 1079639) The Bowes Museum needs to generate more than half of its income each year to care for the historic collection, buildings and parkland. Your donations are vital to that work. Visit https://thebowesmuseum.org.uk/support/ for more information.

Framing Fashion: Art and Inspiration from a Private Collection of Vivienne Westwood

Media Release

22 July 2024

 

FRAMING FASHION: ART AND INSPIRATION FROM A PRIVATE COLLECTION OF VIVIENNE WESTWOOD

 

19 OCTOBER 2024 – 2 MARCH 2025

 

Fashion and art collide in a golden decade of design at The Bowes Museum later this year, in an exciting new exhibition featuring some of Vivienne Westwood’s most recognisable creations from the mid 80s to the mid 90s. Framing Fashion: Art and Inspiration from a Private Collection of Vivienne Westwood opens at the Museum in Barnard Castle on Saturday, 19 October and runs until Sunday, 2 March 2025.

 

This show will feature a new selection of the late iconic designer’s ensembles from the private collection of Peter Smithson, who has spent nearly 30 years adding to his compilation of her work.  It will explore the inspiration Westwood took from paintings, sitters in portraits and the materials and techniques used by artists.

 

One of her richest and most recognisable collections, Portrait (autumn/winter 1990/1991) was inspired by the art and interiors of The Wallace Collection in London and marked the mid-point of a particularly creative period for the designer.  Items from this collection will be displayed alongside others exploring Westwood’s inspiration from classical and medieval art, 18th century portraits and pastoral scenes as well as other art forms.

 

The details in her work will be illustrated and referenced by paintings, objects and historic fashion from The Bowes Museum’s collection, including: 18 century portraits with sitters dressed as shepherds and shepherdesses, embroidery, tailoring and lace, paintings and sculpture featuring cherubs and putti, which were shown so much in Westwood’s work, as well as ceramic figures from the Commedia dell’Arte, which particularly influenced Voyage to Cythera (autumn/winter 1989/1990).

 

The recent exhibition partnership with Peter Smithson, A Collector’s Story: A Private Collection of Vivienne Westwood, which closed on 6 May 2024 received high praise from visitors, with many calling it ‘fantastic’, ‘brilliant’, ‘inspirational’, ‘fascinating’ and ‘a fabulous selection’.

 

Peter Smithson said:

“The reception of A Collector’s Story and the appetite for more has been overwhelming and reflects the love and admiration for the late Vivienne Westwood and her endless creativity.

 

“This next exhibition has been inspired by the homage Vivienne made to the work of the Old Masters through her Portrait collection, with the perfect setting nestled amongst the historic collection of The Bowes Museum.

 

“The pieces displayed will explore Vivienne’s re-interpretation of fashion within paintings and illuminate the abstract ways in which she so wittily represented every aspect of what she observed; brush strokes to hue, frame to furniture, even the artists’ names found their way into her work.

 

“Other ensembles will showcase ideas and inspiration from alternative forms of creative expression including sculpture, theatre, film, photography and social movements, collectively dressing 3000 years of history in undisputable Westwood style!

 

“I hope Framing Fashion will excite visitors and continue to pay an affectionate tribute to the irreplaceable Vivienne Westwood.”

 

Rachel Whitworth, The Bowes Museum’s Curator (Fashion and Textiles) added:

“We are thrilled at the opportunity to present a further selection of ensembles from Peter’s collection and are looking forward to exploring different themes and bringing to light new objects from the Museum’s collection to illuminate Vivienne Westwood’s artistic process.”

 

Framing Fashion: Art and Inspiration from a Private Collection of Vivienne Westwood opens on Saturday, 19 October 2024 and runs until Sunday, 2 March 2025 in the Fashion and Textiles Gallery.

 

The Bowes Museum is open from 10am to 5pm daily.

 

 

About The Bowes Museum

The Bowes Museum is a charity managing a Grade 1 listed accredited museum and Grade 2 listed parkland in Barnard Castle. Founded by Joséphine & John Bowes 150+ years ago, this purpose-built Museum brings together an extraordinary, Designated collection of European fine and decorative art as a cultural resource for the people of Northern England, where today we celebrate artists, designers and makers.

The Bowes Museum receives funding from Durham County Council and, as a National Portfolio Organisation, receives support from Arts Council England. Arts Council England is the national development body for arts and culture across England, working to enrich people’s lives. www.artscouncil.org.uk

The Bowes Museum is a member of the Discover Durham partnership of attractions, whose commitment is to promote Durham as an exciting and vibrant group travel destination and to provide the travel trade with a professional and knowledgeable service. discoverdurham.co.uk

 

Admission to The Bowes Museum is £13.50 for local members (residents of County Durham and Darlington), £15.50 for members (residents elsewhere), £18.00 for a day ticket, £19.80 for a day ticket including gift aid. Under 18s, full time students and carers are free.

 

As a registered charity (number 1079639) we need to generate more than half of our income each year to care for our historic collection, buildings and parkland. Your donations are vital to our work. Visit https://thebowesmuseum.org.uk/support/ for more information.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • photograph of a Putti corset with images of cherubs on it on a see through mount.

    Photograph of a Putti Corset from the Salon spring/summer show 1992.

The Bowes Museum unveils latest acquisition to its historic quilt collection: Leila Anderson’s Seasons (2003 – 2023)

The Bowes Museum unveils latest acquisition to its historic quilt collection: Leila Anderson’s Seasons (2003-2023)

 

June 2024 to early March 2025.

 

The Bowes Museum is thrilled to announce the installation of four contemporary quilts by local maker Leila Anderson in the Fashion & Textile Gallery. These quilts will be on public display until early March 2025, marking the completion of a series of quilts named Seasons: Autumn, Winter, Spring, Summer.

 

The quilts are displayed in wall cases among historic fashion and textiles, creating unexpected juxtapositions of colour and pattern. Quilting enthusiasts will be able to admire the intricate stitching and colours up close.

 

Anderson’s quilting draws inspiration from the artistry and historic lineage of the North Country quilt. After retiring, Anderson trained with local maker Elsie Walton, a former student of the celebrated Weardale quilter, Amy Emms M.B.E. The Museum’s collection includes one of Anderson’s earliest quilts, Lindisfarne Line (1996), inspired by the Lindisfarne Gospels displayed in Durham. This quilt features hand-quilted designs based on the decorative motifs of the Anglo-Saxon Gospels on a traditional wholecloth (single fabric) quilt.

 

The Seasons quilts were influenced by local landscapes and paintings by Mark Rothko. Anderson used the convention of the North Country strippy quilt (strips of fabric, usually arranged vertically), arranging the strips horizontally in shaded colour blocks, reminiscent of Rothko’s work. She hand-painted each silk top, added wadding and a cotton back. Using a quilt frame and silk thread dyed to match, Anderson stitched quilting patterns evoking the cyclic changes of the year.

 

The first quilt in the series, Autumn (2003), has a richly hued ground with quilted patterns depicting grasses and wheatfields, adapting traditional North Country designs such as feather and wave motifs. Spring’s (2004) bright colours and stitches symbolise the reawakening and blossoming of plant life. By contrast, Winter’s (2007) sombre colours are punctuated with stitches representing fallow fields and bare branches.

 

The last quilt in the series is the most recent acquisition to The Bowes Museum’s celebrated quilt collection. Summer (2020-2023) was begun during the first Covid lockdown and Anderson has worked on this design over subsequent years. It is Anderson’s last ever quilt and depicts the sea and sky in wave and reverse wave stitches, with a wildflower meadow in the centre and a wheatfield border.

 

Anderson’s quilts embody a living tradition, inspired by local history and landscapes, they make a fitting addition to the Museum’s historic collection, particularly because of its unique geographical position. The Bowes Museum is renowned for its quilt exhibitions that honour and celebrate local makers and their skills.

 

Rachel Whitworth, Curator of Fashion & Textiles, commented, “We are excited to present the complete series of Seasons quilts by Leila Anderson, especially as she has been working on the final quilt, Summer, over several years. Visitors to the Museum’s most recent quilt exhibition, North Country Quilts: In Celebration of New Acquisitions (2021 – 2022) will remember Lindisfarne Line and three of the Seasons quilts. The completion of Summer was Leila’s ambition and it’s wonderful to celebrate this achievement and her generous donation of the series to the Museum.”

 

Visitors to The Bowes Museum can view Leila Anderson’s quilts up-close in the Fashion & Textile Gallery between June 2024 and early March 2025.

  • Image of a black and white quilt hanging in a display case in the Fashion and Textile Gallery of The Bowes Museum.

    Winter by Leila Anderson

The Bowes Museums Kith and Kinship Norman Cornish and L S Lowry

PRESS RELEASE

The Bowes Museum’s Kith and Kinship: Norman Cornish and LS Lowry exhibition

Newly discovered Cornish self-portrait will also now feature in this major exhibition by two extraordinary storytellers of everyday life, who showcase the north through different lenses

Over 50 paintings, drawings and sketches by artists Norman Cornish and LS Lowry will be showcased at The Bowes Museum from 20th July 2024 – 19th January 2025. This major new exhibition includes 35 rarely or previously unseen artworks by the artists who shared a strong love of the north which was the focus of so much of their work, and who have a history of exhibiting together.

The exhibition will also now feature a newly discovered self-portrait by Norman Cornish. This new painting was uncovered during conservation work to Cornish’s painting Bar Scene.  The Bowes Museum’s Conservator Jon Old, described its discovery as ‘magical’. Although it shows Cornish in his younger days it is not yet known where this never-before-seen painting fits in the wider chronology of the artist’s works, but it has now become the 29th known self-portrait by Cornish and will be proudly displayed facing the other self-portraits in the exhibition.

The newly discovered and never-before-seen Cornish self-portrait, found during conservation work at The Bowes Museum, will now form part of the museum’s major Kith and Kinship: Normal Cornish and LS Lowry exhibition.

Credit Claire Collinson Photography. [High-res images, and others, are available]

In addition to this exciting new discovery, a powerful range of other artworks will showcase the traditional and familiar industrial scenes often associated with the area. However, the exhibition also gives a unique insight into a wider, and different, story of the north: the everyday warmth, connection and community – often borne out of the adversity and challenges of harsh industrialisation – that was present in everyday life. It foregrounds the sparks of joy and light where people found a deeper connection with others, from large gatherings to more intimate moments gossiping on street corners. It is this interplay between work and community, and finding beautiful stolen moments in daily life, which gives the exhibition its title ‘Kith and Kinship’.

Vicky Sturrs, Director of Programmes and Collections at The Bowes Museum said: ‘Both Cornish and Lowry were extraordinary storytellers of their time – recording and depicting the lives of the people in their communities as well as the north east’s familiar landscapes in scenes that we can all relate to. Many of the works in this exhibition have an incredibly visceral feel – you can almost feel the warmth of the home, smell the chip van and hear the laughter.

‘Visitors will be greeted by self-portraits from each artist – including the newly discovered Cornish self-portrait – alongside a pencil drawing of the majestic Stone Gallery in Newcastle upon Tyne, where the two artists exhibited together for over 15 years. This really sets the scene for ‘Kith and Kinship’, showing the long relationship they shared. Cornish and Lowry had a beautiful way of capturing everyday scenes associated with the north, but our exhibition will also showcase a different side of the region that is perhaps unexpected, which we hope visitors will really enjoy.’

The exhibition takes visitors on a journey from ‘meeting’ both artists to seeing their perceptions of the different environments they encountered. These, and the experiences shared by their friends, family and the wider community within those places, are beautifully documented throughout. The artworks span different themes, from community and working life to the role of women.

The community coming together in everyday scenes, whether outside of work or the home, is perhaps best seen in Cornish’s The Gossips and Four Shoppers (where women are seen huddled in small groups chatting and exchanging stories), and in Lowry’s Teenagers and Family Group where his familiar stick figures are gathered. The exhibition also shows gatherings on a larger scale, from Cornish’s Big Meeting 1947 depicting one of the biggest days in the north east calendar when all the mining villages met, to Lowry’s The Procession 1927 whereby a crowd gathers at Swinton Market, Pendlebury, with Manchester’s industrious mills belching smoke in the background.

Women – often described as ‘heroines of the coalfield’ – are celebrated throughout the exhibition. The roles they played within the community, at home and in the wider landscape are portrayed, often showing their comradery, sense of community and strength. A highlight is Cornish’s intimate painting of his wife Sarah Peeling a Potato, which really embodies the love, gratitude, and admiration he had for her. She is drawn in a prayer-like posture, bringing an almost spiritual aspect to the painting.

Visitors can also see a different style from Lowry with more figurative sketches and paintings of his loved ones. These include portraits of his mother and father, and Study of a Girl in Peasant Dress 1917, which are quite unlike his more familiar matchstick style figures.

Kith and Kinship also explores the more familiar working lives of Cornish and Lowry’s subjects. Paintings such as Cornish’s Miners on a Pit Road and Lowry’s The Mill Gates perfectly portray the north’s industrial roots and the harsh working conditions endured by so many. In contrast, there are also a range of artworks showcasing the light relief that was also experienced. Lowry’s Lancashire Fair and A Cricket Match evoke feelings of joy and happy memories from weekends and holidays, and Cornish’s The Busy Bar 1976 contrasts the appalling conditions of working underground by highlighting the convivial nature of a warm pub, where workmates are seen sharing a pint after work.

Hannah Fox, Executive Director of The Bowes Museum said: ‘Cornish and Lowry capture life and its nuances in a way that everyone can understand and connect with. Making art accessible is hugely important, and we hope that by displaying over 50 works showing all walks of life, different landscapes and celebrating the ordinary and the extraordinary, will not only capture the imagination of our visitors but also show how everyone can get involved with art and creativity. We will also have a dedicated space within the exhibition for visitors to share what kith and kinship means to them, which will give a fascinating insight into the wider community.

‘Local artists and makers have also brought their own perspectives to the exhibition by creating an engaging accompanying booklet which will be available in autumn and will sit alongside some of the works on display. Alongside the exhibition interpretation, this booklet will show how the universal themes that Cornish and Lowry capture will not just resonate with those from the north, but with a much wider audience too. This connection with the local community is fundamental as The Bowes Museum continues to grow and become a hub for all artists and makers in the region and beyond,’

Norman Cornish (1919 – 2014) was born, raised and worked as a miner in Spennymoor, County Durham, before becoming a professional artist. L. S. Lowry (1887 – 1976) was born in the north west, but frequently took breaks from his work as a rent collector to visit Berwick-upon-Tweed and Sunderland to paint, noting that the north east was what he had “…always been looking for”.

Cllr Amanda Hopgood, Leader of Durham County Council, said: ‘We are delighted that whilst undergoing conservation work the painting ‘Bar Scene’, which we have loaned to The Bowes Museum, has revealed this remarkable new self-portrait. It makes a fantastic addition to the wonderful body of work that Norman Cornish is known for. We’re very much looking forward to it being enjoyed by the public, and to continuing our work with the Museum and other partners as we cement our place as ‘The Culture County’. In doing so, we seek to build on two momentous years in which visitor spend has climbed to record levels in excess of £1billion.’

Kith and Kinship: Norman Cornish and LS Lowry is part of an ongoing programme of exciting exhibitions running in parallel to the world-class collection that is on permanent display at the County Durham Museum.

From August to November the Museum will also host an engaging series of talks supporting the exhibition. The five talks include intimate reflections and personal stories from members of the Cornish family, and insights into LS Lowry’s life and works by Curator of The Lowry Collection in Salford Claire Stewart. Attendees can also hear Redhill’s CEO Nick Malyan explore the area’s mining history and what this community looks like today, and Dr Vicki Pugh from York St John University who will discuss the relationship between industry and the environment. More details will be released in due course.

Easily accessible and only three hours from London via public transport, Kith and Kinship is an evocative and relatable exhibition not to be missed. To find out more about The Bowes Museum, visit www.thebowesmuseum.org.uk

-ENDS-

 

Notes to editors

For high-res images, interview requests and more information, please contact the Culture Communications Collective:

 

 

Media materials

Interviews and filming with experts, either in person on site, via video call or phone call, can be arranged. High-res images [of the selection below] are also available in a shared Dropbox.

 

LS Lowry, L-R: Self Portrait 1925 (© The Lowry Collection, Salford); Study of a Girl in Peasant Dress ((© The Lowry Collection, Salford); A Cricket Match (© Sotheby’s); Lancashire Fair (© The Estate of L.S. Lowry. All Rights Reserved, DACS 2024) and The Procession 1927 (© The Estate of L.S. Lowry. All Rights Reserved, DACS 2024)

Norman Cornish, L-R: Self Portrait with Spectacles; Sarah Peeling a Potato; Big Meeting 1947; Miners on a Pit Road; and The Gossips (all © Norman Cornish Ltd)

Media previews

We will be holding a media preview on Thursday 18th July. To arrange/register your interest in this, or to arrange a bespoke visit, please contact the Culture Communications Collective.

About the newly discovered Cornish self-portrait

Jon Old, Conservator at The Bowes Museum described his discovery as follows: “The painting had a back board set into its stretcher that appeared to be resting on the back of the painting, which I thought was unusual. So, I decided to remove the board to see if it was affecting the painting, and to my surprise it revealed this wonderful other painting on the reverse, which was quite magical. I felt very privileged to have been the first person since Norman Cornish to see this self-portrait and look forward to the reaction of our visitors when they see it too.”

 

Jon added: “I also saw that the painting was stretched over an old picture frame (the first time I have seen this) and the back board was set into the rebate of the frame. The reason the painting felt it was against the board was because it was so stiff from being painted on both sides. I think the backboard was put in place at The Stone Gallery who represented Cornish in the sixties”.

 

‘Bar Scene’ and the newly discovered self-portrait are part of the Durham Learning Resources collection, which sits within Durham County Council’s heritage and art collection. Durham Learning Resources provides a library service to schools, loaning artworks and other fascinating items for pupils to explore and enjoy, providing rich opportunities to inspire and enhance their learning.

 

About The Bowes Museum

The Bowes Museum is a charity managing a Grade 1 listed accredited museum and Grade 2 listed parkland in Barnard Castle. Founded by Joséphine & John Bowes 150+ years ago, this purpose-built Museum brings together an extraordinary, Designated collection of European fine and decorative art as a cultural resource for the people of Northern England, where today we celebrate artists, designers and makers.

The Bowes Museum receives funding from Durham County Council and, as a National Portfolio Organisation, receives support from Arts Council England. Arts Council England is the national development body for arts and culture across England, working to enrich people’s lives. www.artscouncil.org.uk

The Bowes Museum is a member of the Discover Durham partnership of attractions, whose commitment is to promote Durham as an exciting and vibrant group travel destination and to provide the travel trade with a professional and knowledgeable service. discoverdurham.co.uk

 

Admission to The Bowes Museum is £13.50 for local members (residents of County Durham and Darlington), £15.50 for members (residents elsewhere), £18.00 for a day ticket, £19.80 for a day ticket  including gift aid. Under 18s, full time students and carers are free.

 

As a registered charity (number 1079639) we need to generate more than half of our income each year to care for our historic collection, buildings and parkland. Your donations are vital to our work. Visit https://thebowesmuseum.org.uk/support/ for more information.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • Media release for Kith and Kinship: Norman Cornish and L. S. Lowry exhibition

Summer Holiday Fun at The Bowes Museum

Summer Holiday Fun at The Bowes Museum

Friday 19 July – Tuesday 3 September 2024

School’s out! This Summer, there will be a buzz in the air at The Bowes Museum in Barnard Castle. From Friday 19 July until Tuesday 3 September, visitors can immerse themselves in a fantastic programme of free activities included with entry, inspired by the Museum, parkland and its wonderful collection.

Daily activities for all ages:

Visitors of all ages can make their own artworks, objects and treasures in a self-guided activity every day in the newly refurbished Create Space. If they’d prefer to head outside, the Explorer Bags can be collected from Reception and include a guide and magnifying glasses to help identify the birds, plants and insects that call the parkland their home.

The insightful 11.00 Spotlight Tours continue daily, giving an informal and informative introduction to an exhibition, collection, object or the building for up to 30 minutes.

Special activities:

Teens (aged 13+) can experience what it’s like to work at the Museum between 1.00 and 3.00 in this brand-new session called Young Curators every Tuesday from 23 July, where they can take a crash course in curating. They will choose objects from the collection, learn to clean and care for them, and work with curators and artists to create an exhibition for The HIVE. Booking for this activity is necessary and can be made via the Museum’s website www.thebowesmuseum.org.uk/whats-on/.

Stay and Play – Picnic in the Park will take place every Thursday between 10.00 and 12.00 in the wildflower meadow behind the Museum, there’ll be picnic blankets and play equipment to encourage the Museum’s youngest visitors to get outside and play. Visitors can bring their own picnic or grab a snack from the award-winning Café Bowes. Families with young children can also explore the beautiful 22 acres of parkland and sing, draw and make on a Bug Hunt between 11.00 and 12.00, where the Museum’s friendly team will lead an active walk around the parkland (or the Museum if the weather’s too soggy!)

Eco-friendly Bug Hotels provide a safe place for insects to call home. All ages can get hands on and feel connected to the outdoors in the new wildflower meadow behind the Museum every Friday, 10.30 – 12.30 as they learn how to build a bug hotel and understand the importance of protecting nature for generations to come.

Creative Workshops:

Saturday sees the return of the ever-popular Young Creatives sessions, that will be held every other week 10.30 – 12.30 in the Create Space from 27th July until 24th August. Young budding artists aged 12+ can try out a variety of new techniques and experiment with materials with guidance from the Museum’s team of regional artists, makers and designers.

The Artist Maker Drop-in Workshops held every Wednesday and Saturday, 1.00 until 3.00 are perfect for families with children aged 5+. The Museum’s textile, ceramic and portrait collections, the building’s interior and exterior and the parkland have inspired these summer sessions and offer the perfect opportunity to have a go at something new.

Alia Cruz, The Bowes Museum’s Learning Manager, commented:

“We can’t wait for visitors of all ages to enjoy the vibrant activities and workshops we have planned this summer. A fantastic host of talented artists and creators have put the collection and parkland at the core of this year’s programme, introducing exciting new experiences for families to enjoy.”

Exhibitions:

There are also two special exhibitions, Stories in Stitch (18th May – 29th September 2024) in the Fashion & Textiles Gallery that presents an eclectic collection of rarely seen samplers and embroidered pictures dating from the 17th to the 20th centuries. This one-of-a-kind display shows different representative styles of stitching side by side for the first time and explores the development and popularity of domestic embroidery in Britain, a must-see display for lovers of textiles and history.

In the exhibition gallery, Kith and Kinship: Norman Cornish and L. S. Lowry (20th July 2024 – 19th January 2025), presents over 50 paintings, drawings and sketchbooks by the two artists who recorded life in their respective communities and recognisable scenes from across the region. More than half of the artwork on display are from collections in public galleries and private collections throughout the UK, with 35 rarely or previously unseen publicly before.

Silver Swan:

Due to popular demand, the infamous Silver Swan automaton will perform twice daily at 11.30 and 2.30 throughout the school holidays.

Enjoy a fun-packed day out this Summer at The Bowes Museum, with a variety of daily activities, outstanding exhibitions and daily Spotlight Tours. Plus, visit the Museum’s award-winning ‘Café of the Year’. There are always new experiences to enjoy with family or friends.

 

Note to editors:

The Bowes Museum is a charity managing a Grade 1 listed accredited museum and Grade 2 listed parkland in Barnard Castle. Founded by Joséphine & John Bowes 150+ years ago, this purpose-built Museum brings together an extraordinary, Designated collection of European fine and decorative art as a cultural resource for the people of Northern England, where today we celebrate artists, designers and makers. The Bowes Museum receives funding from Durham County Council and, as a National Portfolio Organisation, receives support from Arts Council England. Arts Council England is the national development body for arts and culture across England, working to enrich people’s lives. www.artscouncil.org.uk.

The Bowes Museum is a member of the Discover Durham partnership of attractions, whose commitment is to promote Durham as an exciting and vibrant group travel destination and to provide the travel trade with a professional and knowledgeable service. www.thisisdurham.com/discover-durham

Admission to The Bowes Museum is £13.50 for local members (residents of County Durham and Darlington), £15.50 for members (residents elsewhere), £18.00 for a day ticket, £19.80 for a day ticket including gift aid. Under 18s, full time students and carers are free. As a registered charity (number 1079639) we need to generate more than half of our income each year to care for our historic collection, buildings and parkland. Your donations are vital to our work. Visit https://thebowesmuseum.org.uk/support/ for more information.

There’s still time to help reshape galleries by taking part in ground breaking eye-tracking project by Durham University at The Bowes Museum
There’s still time to help reshape galleries by taking part in ground breaking eye-tracking project by Durham University at The Bowes Museum

There’s just over a week left for people to join a ground breaking eye-tracking project being run by Durham University at The Bowes Museum that could lead to changes in the way the Museum displays its pictures and an improved visitor experience.

So far, more than 70 people have already volunteered to use the state-of-the-art glasses containing cutting-edge technology that tracks their every eye movement as they walk around the picture galleries and the Museum hopes to take that number to 100.

Researchers from the University will be back in Museum from Monday, 15 July, where they’ll capture the movement data from the volunteers who take part in the project.  Participants will fill in a questionnaire when they return the glasses and then specialists will explore the distinction between memory and the physical reality of the gallery experience.

There will be a secondary part to the project, which will be carried out at the University, where 50 volunteers will take part in a fixed eye-tracking experiment that tests the usefulness of existing label information about an object, which will look at how it could be rewritten or redesigned to give visitors a better aesthetic experience or improved understanding of the work.

Vicky Sturrs, The Bowes Museum’s Director of Programmes and Collections, said:

“We can’t wait to find out the results from this incredibly exciting ground breaking project with Durham University. We’re absolutely delighted that so many people have been willing to help give us a much clearer understanding of what they really do like, what they actually look at, what they don’t see and what their journey through the picture galleries is really like.”

Notes to editors:

The Bowes Museum is a charity managing a Grade 1 listed accredited museum and Grade 2 listed parkland in Barnard Castle. Founded by Joséphine & John Bowes 150+ years ago, this purpose-built Museum brings together an extraordinary, Designated collection of European fine and decorative art as a cultural resource for the people of Northern England, where today we celebrate artists, designers and makers.

The Bowes Museum receives funding from Durham County Council and, as a National Portfolio
Organisation, receives support from Arts Council England. Arts Council England is the national
development body for arts and culture across England, working to enrich people’s lives.
www.artscouncil.org.uk
The Bowes Museum is a member of the Discover Durham partnership of attractions, whose
commitment is to promote Durham as an exciting and vibrant group travel destination and to
provide the travel trade with a professional and knowledgeable service. discoverdurham.co.uk

Admission to The Bowes Museum is £13.50 for local members (residents of County Durham and Darlington), £15.50 for members (residents elsewhere), £18.00 for a day ticket, £19.80 for a day ticket including gift aid. Under 18s, full time students and carers are free.
As a registered charity (number 1079639) the Museum needs to generate more than half of its income each year to care for the historic collection, buildings and parkland. Donations are vital to its work. Visit https://thebowesmuseum.org.uk/support/ for more information.

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  • Man wearing state of the art eye tracking glasses in gallery

    Man wearing specialist eye tracking glasses in the picture galleries.

Now you see it, now you don’t! The Bowes Museum and Durham University explore cutting-edge eye-tracking technologies in a Museum setting
Media Release

17 June 2024

Now you see it, now you don’t! The Bowes Museum and Durham University explore cutting-edge eye-tracking technologies in a Museum setting

Visitors to The Bowes Museum are being invited to take part in a ground breaking eye-tracking project, in partnership with Durham University, that could lead to an improved visitor experience and changes to the way the County Durham Museum displays its pictures.

The Barnard Castle Museum has teamed up with specialists at Durham University who will be using state-of-the-art glasses that can track people’s eye movements as they move around the galleries.

The glasses contain cutting-edge technology that records everywhere people look when they are wearing them, including the length of time that their gaze dwells on an item or area.

Researchers from the University will be sited in the Museum’s entrance hall, where they’ll capture the movement data from 100 visitors who volunteer to take part in the research.  The participants will fill in a questionnaire when they return the glasses and then specialists will explore the distinction between memory and the physical reality of the gallery experience.

There will be a secondary part to the project, which will be carried out at the University, where 50 volunteers will take part in a fixed eye-tracking experiment that tests the usefulness of existing label information about an object, which will look at how it could be rewritten or redesigned to give visitors a better aesthetic experience or improved understanding of the work.

Vicky Sturrs, The Bowes Museum’s Director of Programmes and Collections, said:

“It is incredibly exciting for us to be involved in this project as it will give us a much clearer understanding of what visitors really do like, what they actually look at, what they don’t see and what their journey through the picture galleries is really like.  We are thrilled to have been approached by Durham University to work with them on this amazing scheme which will really feed into our understanding of the visitor experience.”

Professor Andy Beresford, from Durham University’s School of Modern Languages and Culture who is leading the eye-tracking team, added:

“This is the first time that this eye-tracking software and the information captured has been used to feed into the way that artworks are displayed and shape the stories around them.  By looking at the data gathered from the two experiments we’ll be able to make recommendations on how and in what ways the visitor experience could be improved by remodelling and recontextualising the artworks on show in the Picture Galleries at The Bowes Museum.”

The team from Durham University will be on site at The Bowes Museum from Monday, 17 June.

 

 

 

Notes to editors:

The Bowes Museum is a charity managing a Grade 1 listed accredited museum and Grade 2 listed parkland in Barnard Castle. Founded by Joséphine & John Bowes 150+ years ago, this purpose-built Museum brings together an extraordinary, Designated collection of European fine and decorative art as a cultural resource for the people of Northern England, where today we celebrate artists, designers and makers.

The Bowes Museum receives funding from Durham County Council and, as a National Portfolio Organisation, receives support from Arts Council England. Arts Council England is the national development body for arts and culture across England, working to enrich people’s lives. www.artscouncil.org.uk

The Bowes Museum is a member of the Discover Durham partnership of attractions, whose commitment is to promote Durham as an exciting and vibrant group travel destination and to provide the travel trade with a professional and knowledgeable service. www.discoverdurham.co.uk

Admission to The Bowes Museum is £13.50 for local members (residents of County Durham and Darlington), £15.50 for members (residents elsewhere), £18.00 for a day ticket, £19.80 for a day ticket including gift aid. Under 18s, full time students and carers are free.

As a registered charity (number 1079639) The Bowes Museum needs to generate more than half of its income each year to care for the historic collection, buildings and parkland. Donations are vital to its work. Visit https://thebowesmuseum.org.uk/support/ for more information.

About Durham University

Durham University is a globally outstanding centre of teaching and research based in historic Durham City in the UK.

We are a collegiate university committed to inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham and in the world.

We conduct boundary-breaking research that improves lives globally and we are ranked as a world top 100 university with an international reputation in research and education (QS World University Rankings 2025).

We are a member of the Russell Group of leading research-intensive UK universities and we are consistently ranked as a top 10 university in national league tables (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide, Guardian University Guide and The Complete University Guide).

For more information about Durham University visit: www.durham.ac.uk/about/

ENDS

 

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Not long to go until live music fills the air at The Bowes Museum’s vibrant Summer Market
Two weeks to go until live music fills the air at The Bowes Museum’s vibrant Summer Market 

21 June – 23 June 2024

There are just under two weeks to go until the grounds of The Bowes Museum come alive with the sounds of summer as live music wafts through the air from talented Northern performers during the highly anticipated Summer Market, which returns from Friday, 21 June to Sunday, 23 June.

Hundreds of visitors are expected to attend the vibrant three day event held in the picturesque parterre garden, set against the stunning backdrop of The Bowes Museum in Barnard Castle.

Visitors will be able to enjoy the uplifting sounds of the Rock Choir and Sam Ashby on Friday 21st, Chester Bingley and Tom Gregory on Saturday 22nd and Ami Leigh and Brass Monkey on Sunday 23rd, as they support the dozens of artisan traders from across the North East selling an eclectic mix of handmade and artisan products ranging from fabulous furniture, exquisite jewellery and leather bags to delicious brownies and treats for your furry friends as well as unique prints, artwork, pottery, scrumptious cider, luxurious soaps, ethical clothing and much, much more.

Temporary matting will be placed on top of the gravel paths in the parterre to ensure everyone can enjoy access to the market.

In addition to the market festivities, the entry ticket includes admission to the Museum providing ample opportunity for visitors to immerse themselves in art, culture, and history and even learn new skills with the Museum’s incredible team of artist makers who’ll be sharing their skills and knowledge throughout the event.  They’ll be in the newly opened Create Space from 10am to 4pm each day, with painting, sculpture and installation specialist Zoe Allen on Friday, 21st, printer Cath Hodson on Saturday, 22nd and art, textiles and collage specialist Betty Brown on Sunday 22nd.

Tickets for the Summer Market are can be booked online before the event or bought on the gate on the day. Tickets are priced at £6.50 for adults and £3.50 for children, with under 5s admitted free of charge. Please note that as this is a special event, Museum members will need to purchase a ticket to visit on these days.  Limited free parking is available on site on a first-come, first-served basis, with visitors being encouraged to walk, cycle, take public transport or car share as they make their way to the event.

David Nicolls, The Bowes Museum’s Enterprises Manager, said:

“We’re really looking forward to welcoming everyone to this year’s Summer Market.  There’s going to be a fantastic feeling of community spirit throughout the special event, with something for people of all ages to enjoy. From learning new skills with the artist makers, to soaking up the sunshine listening to the fabulous sounds of the live music performers to supporting the dozens of amazingly talented local artisan traders, who’ll be selling a treasure trove of handcrafted goods, food and drinks over the three days.”

To ensure a seamless experience, access to The Bowes Museum’s parkland will be via the front gates on Newgate during market hours, with the back gates closed for the duration of the event.

Don’t miss this opportunity to indulge in the very best of local craftsmanship and summer delights at The Bowes Museum’s Summer Market.  A full list of the traders, musicians and artist workshops are available on the Museum’s website.

For more information and to book tickets, please visit thebowesmuseum.org.uk or contact 01833 690606.

Notes to editors:

David Nicholls is available for interview:  please email alison.white@thebowesmuseum.org.uk to arrange.

The Bowes Museum is a charity managing a Grade 1 listed accredited museum and Grade 2 listed
parkland in Barnard Castle. Founded by Joséphine & John Bowes 150+ years ago, this purpose-
built Museum brings together an extraordinary, Designated collection of European fine and
decorative art as a cultural resource for the people of Northern England, where today we celebrate
artists, designers and makers.

The Bowes Museum receives funding from Durham County Council and, as a National Portfolio
Organisation, receives support from Arts Council England. Arts Council England is the national
development body for arts and culture across England, working to enrich people’s lives.
www.artscouncil.org.uk
The Bowes Museum is a member of the Discover Durham partnership of attractions, whose
commitment is to promote Durham as an exciting and vibrant group travel destination and to
provide the travel trade with a professional and knowledgeable service. discoverdurham.co.uk

Admission to The Bowes Museum is £13.50 for local members (residents of County Durham and
Darlington), £15.50 for members (residents elsewhere), £18.00 for a day ticket, £19.80 for a day
ticket including gift aid. Under 18s, full time students and carers are free.
As a registered charity (number 1079639) we need to generate more than half of our income each
year to care for our historic collection, buildings and parkland. Your donations are vital to our
work. Visit https://thebowesmuseum.org.uk/support/ for more information.

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Migration, Adaptation, and Innovation: Two exclusive talks at The Bowes Museum

Media release

31st May 2024

The Bowes Museum in Barnard Castle is thrilled to host two exclusive talks on 6th and 27th June by members of Northumbria University, each offering a unique perspective on the creative, cultural, economic, technical impacts of migration, and the subsequent exchange of artistic skills.

The talks are a culmination of a 4-year long research project titled ‘Migration, Adaptation, Innovation 1500-1800’, funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). The project was led by Northumbria University’s Associate Professor of History, Dr Felicia Gottmann and saw an extensive investigation into the role of immigration in knowledge exchange and the development of new technologies across the globe around the eve of the Industrial Revolution.

Dr Gottmann and her dedicated team collaborated with five institutions including The Bowes Museum, Durham University Oriental Museum, Shipley Art Gallery, the Jewish Museum, Berlin and German Museum of Technology, Berlin, using physical objects from their collections as another strand to their research.  Community organisations and migrants of today were also engaged in conversation within this body of work around the value of immigrant skills; this has helped Dr Gottmann and her team to help develop resources for teachers, museum visitors and families.

Jane Whittaker, Collections Manager at The Bowes Museum commented, “The Bowes Museum’s extensive collections of historic textiles, costume and oriental ceramics form the basis for the two talks this June and examples will be shown alongside.

“Felicia and Floris’ research will add fascinating context and a deeper understanding to objects collected by Joséphine Bowes for her museum.”

Crimes of Fashion: A story of French printed and painted textiles will be held at 2:30 on Thursday 6th June, delivered by Dr Felicia Gottmann.

The Bowes Museum holds some of the most beautiful eighteenth-century French textiles still in existence as well as numerous portraits of subjects in period clothing. This talk delves into the story behind them and how for nearly eighty years, from the late 17th to the mid-18th century, all printed and painted textiles were banned in France and how this led to a revolution in fashion and industry when import and production was legalised. Delve into a story of skulduggery: smuggling, industrial espionage, and migration and learn how this led to the beautiful fabrics we still copy and admire today.

The second talk, The International Origins of Japanese Ceramics: Korean Potters in Japan after the East Asian War of 1592-1598  will be held at 2:30 on Thursday 27th June, delivered by Northumbria University Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Dr Floris van Swet.

The beautiful examples of Japanese ceramics in The Bowes Museum are a starting point for this talk which will outline the importance of Korean potters to the development of ceramics in Japan, as none would have existed without migrant knowledge and artistic skill. Discover the hidden narratives of conflict and collaboration following the East Asian War of 1592-1598 that had a profound consequence on trade, economies and national identity and shaped the world of Japanese ceramics.

These talks will appeal to enthusiasts of history and art and will unearth the untold stories behind artifacts and highlight their significance in shaping world cultures. Through a curated selection of items from The Bowes Museum’s collection that will be on display, attendees can get up close to the objects that have unearthed these captivating stories.

Book your free place* via The Bowes Museum’s website https://thebowesmuseum.org.uk/whats-on/ or call Reception on 01833 690606 to book.

*Included in membership or day admission.

Note to editors:

The Bowes Museum is a charity managing a Grade 1 listed accredited museum and Grade 2 listed parkland in Barnard Castle. Founded by Joséphine & John Bowes 150+ years ago, this purpose-built Museum brings together an extraordinary, Designated collection of European fine and decorative art as a cultural resource for the people of Northern England, where today we celebrate artists, designers and makers. The Bowes Museum receives funding from Durham County Council and, as a National Portfolio Organisation, receives support from Arts Council England. Arts Council England is the national development body for arts and culture across England, working to enrich people’s lives. www.artscouncil.org.uk.

The Bowes Museum is a member of the Discover Durham partnership of attractions, whose commitment is to promote Durham as an exciting and vibrant group travel destination and to provide the travel trade with a professional and knowledgeable service. www.thisisdurham.com/discover-durham

Admission to The Bowes Museum is £13.50 for local members (residents of County Durham and Darlington), £15.50 for members (residents elsewhere), £18.00 for a day ticket, £19.80 for a day ticket including gift aid. Under 18s, full time students and carers are free. As a registered charity (number 1079639) we need to generate more than half of our income each year to care for our historic collection, buildings and parkland. Your donations are vital to our work. Visit https://thebowesmuseum.org.uk/support/ for more information.

Café Bowes Scoops Top Spot at Prestigious National Awards
Media Release

16 May 2024

Café Bowes at The Bowes Museum scoops top prize and the Silver Swan Conservation Project is shortlisted at the prestigious national Museums + Heritage Awards 

Staff at The Bowes Museum in Barnard Castle are celebrating after Café Bowes was named Café of the Year and the intricate restoration project of the Silver Swan was shortlisted at last night’s prestigious national Museums + Heritage Awards in London.

Café Bowes is delighted to have won the top spot in an award that was put to the public vote.  The table service café, renowned for its locally sourced, seasonal menu and friendly staff was up against tough competition from the American Museum & Gardens in Bath and the Thackray Museum of Medicine in Leeds.

Bring Back the Magic of the Silver Swan was shortlisted in the Restoration or Conservation Project of the Year category, missing out to The Churches Conservation Trust in a field of other highly regarded contenders, including: University of St Andrews, Libraries and Museum; UK Parliament; Historic England and the National Trust.

Hannah Fox, Executive Director of The Bowes Museum, said:

“We are really thrilled that the outstanding work carried out by the dedicated and hard-working team in Café Bowes has been recognised by their fantastic and loyal customers. Thank you to everyone who voted for them.

“We are also so pleased at the wider recognition that the intricate Silver Swan conservation project has received from our industry peers, for it to be shortlisted alongside a vast array of other worthy competitors and well done to the team at The Churches Conservation Trust for winning the category.

“For the Museum to be recognised at these awards is testament to the fact that County Durham really is a great plant to eat, visit and enjoy.”

This was the 22nd annual Museum + Heritage Awards which celebrate the very best in the world of museums, galleries, cultural and heritage visitor attractions.

  • Cafe Bowes Scoops Top Award

    Picture credit Hayley Bray

Create 3D butterflies during half term fun at The Bowes Museum

Media release

13 May 2024

 

Create 3D butterflies during half term fun at The Bowes Museum

25 May – 2 June 2024

Visitors to The Bowes Museum this summer half term can see the Silver Swan in action twice a day, learn exciting new skills from artists and join family story tours to discover more about the collection, in a packed programme of activities from Saturday 25 May until Sunday 2 June.

The majestic Silver Swan is back in action at the Barnard Castle Museum after months of intensive and intricate conservation work, and, due to public demand, will be putting on an extra performance during the break, wowing visitors at 11.30am and at 2pm each day throughout the school holidays.

Local multi media artist Jane Young will be leading artist maker sessions that take inspiration from butterflies among the branches in Franciscus Michael Sigismund Von Burgan’s oil painting to teach people how to create 3D butterflies using overhead projector film before making them come ‘alive’ in a light source.  These sessions will take place on Saturday, 25 May and 1st June and Wednesday, 29 May from 1 – 3pm.

Alia Cruz, The Bowes Museum’s Learning Manager, said:

“It’s simply fantastic that we’ve got Jane Young, who’s an amazing artist specialising in our relationship with the natural world here in the holidays to share her enthusiasm and knowledge with visitors who can embrace their creativity in these fun packed artist maker sessions.

“As well as that, there are loads of different events and activities to keep everyone’s interest piqued, spark their imagination and find inspiration in the treasures around the Museum.”

The ever popular Family Story Tour returns on Friday 31 May at 11am and 1pm with Curious Conversations, where families can discover more about the objects on display in the exciting new Curiosity and Conversation spaces.

Stay and Play continues on Thursdays from 10am to 2pm throughout the holiday as do the daily bite sized Spotlight Tours at 11am.

People can explore their curiosity in the new galleries and discover the stories of the collection and exhibitions or simply pick up a copy of the Parkland Play Book from reception and head outdoors to fully enjoy the 22 acres of gardens surrounding the Museum.

The Museum’s award winning table service café is open from 10am to 4.30pm daily and visitors can pick up a souvenir of their visit at the Museum shop.

 

 

 

Vibrant Summer Market Returns to The Bowes Museum
Media release

14 May 2024

The Bowes Museum’s vibrant Summer Market returns

21 June – 23 June 2024

The Bowes Museum is excited to welcome back its Summer Market, promising a weekend of artisanal delights and community spirit from Friday, 21st June to Sunday, 23rd June.

Set against the stunning backdrop of The Bowes Museum, the Summer Market will feature a vibrant array of stalls adorning the parterre garden to the front of the Museum. From 1pm to 7pm on Friday and from 10am until 4pm on Saturday and Sunday, visitors can immerse themselves in a treasure trove of handcrafted goods, ranging from exquisite jewellery and leather bags to delectable treats for furry friends, locally crafted homeware, delicious brownies, unique prints, pottery, scrumptious cider, luxurious soaps, stylish scarves and charming keyrings.

For the convenience of attendees, there is accessible tracking around the gravel parterre to ensure easy access for all visitors. Limited free parking is available on site on a first-come, first-served basis.

Tickets for the Summer Market are timed entry, and visitors are kindly requested to arrive during their allocated slot. Tickets are priced at £6.50 for adults and £3.50 for children, with under 5s admitted free of charge. Please note that as this is a special event, Museum members will need to purchase a ticket to visit on these days.

To ensure a seamless experience, access to The Bowes Museum’s parkland will be via the front gates on Newgate during market hours, with the back gates closed for the duration of the event.

In addition to the market festivities, the entry ticket includes admission to the Museum providing ample opportunity for guests to immerse themselves in art, culture, and history.

Don’t miss this opportunity to indulge in the best of local craftsmanship and summer delights at The Bowes Museum’s Summer Market.

For more information and to book tickets, please visit thebowesmuseum.org.uk or contact 01833 690606.

 

Notes to editors:

High-resolution images capturing the vibrancy of the Summer Market and the elegance of The Bowes Museum are available upon request.

The Bowes Museum is a charity managing a Grade 1 listed accredited museum and Grade 2 listed parkland in Barnard Castle. Founded by Joséphine & John Bowes 150+ years ago, this purpose-built Museum brings together an extraordinary, Designated collection of European fine and decorative art as a cultural resource for the people of Northern England, where today we celebrate artists, designers and makers.

The Bowes Museum receives funding from Durham County Council and, as a National Portfolio Organisation, receives support from Arts Council England. Arts Council England is the national development body for arts and culture across England, working to enrich people’s lives.
www.artscouncil.org.uk
The Bowes Museum is a member of the Discover Durham partnership of attractions, whose commitment is to promote Durham as an exciting and vibrant group travel destination and to provide the travel trade with a professional and knowledgeable service. discoverdurham.co.uk

Admission to The Bowes Museum is £13.50 for local members (residents of County Durham and Darlington), £15.50 for members (residents elsewhere), £18.00 for a day ticket, £19.80 for a day ticket including gift aid. Under 18s, full time students and carers are free.
As a registered charity (number 1079639) we need to generate more than half of our income each year to care for our historic collection, buildings and parkland. Your donations are vital to our work. Visit https://thebowesmuseum.org.uk/support/ for more information.

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Stories in Stitch: Embroidered treasures of The Bowes Museum

Media release
15th May 2024

Stories in Stitch: Embroidered treasures of The Bowes Museum
18th May – 29th September 2024

Stories in Stitch (18th May – 29th September 2024) presents an eclectic collection of rarely seen samplers and embroidered pictures dating from the 17th to the 20th centuries in The Bowes Museum’s latest textile exhibition. This one-of-a-kind display shows different representative styles of stitching side by side for the first time and explores the development and popularity of domestic embroidery in Britain, a must-see display for lovers of textiles and history.

Items from The Bowes Museum’s collection have been brought out of storage after decades and some have never been on show before, making this an exclusive opportunity for sewing enthusiasts to see more of the Museum’s textile collection up close. Loans from private collections complement the display and offer a moment for visitors to compare, discuss and appreciate the skills and techniques of amateur makers as young as 11, to the work of professionals, in this unique presentation.
A highlight of the display includes the work of Mary Linwood, an artist with an international reputation. From the late 1770s, Linwood produced ‘needle paintings’, embroidered pictures copied from Old Masters and contemporary British artists such as Joshua Reynolds, Thomas Gainsborough and John Russell. Drawing inspiration from work she owned or saw on show at public exhibitions or in private collections, Linwood used crewel wool and silk highlights to produce images in long and short and satin stitches, imitating brush strokes.

Presented alongside Linwood’s ‘needle paintings’ is the work of local makers. Dorothy Ann French (1858 -1900) of Middleton-in-Teesdale won an array of prizes at local agricultural shows in the 1890s for crazy work (patchwork), crochet, knitting and wool work pictures. French’s family also had a close connection to the Bowes family, as they lived on the Streatlam estate near Staindrop, the ancestral home of John Bowes, where her father was the Estate Joiner. Five of Dorothy Ann’s embroidered pictures were bequeathed to The Bowes Museum, perhaps because of this association.

The founders of The Bowes Museum, Joséphine and John Bowes, acquired embroideries from both professional and domestic settings. While these purchases formed the foundation of the Museum’s textiles collection, hundreds of donations throughout the 20th century have enriched the Museum’s holdings, bearing names, dates, stories or meanings, of people, places, and events. These local and personal perspectives present a valuable insight into the social and historical importance of needlework to girls and women as part of their education, a hobby or pastime, or, for some, in their profession as an artist maker.
Today, The Bowes Museum’s collection shows what a rich seam of material there is in the North East of England and how many stories are expressed in stitches.

Rachel Whitworth, The Bowes Museum’s Curator of Fashion and Textiles commented: “The exhibition is unusual in bringing together embroidered pictures and samplers across a period of nearly 300 hundred years. It includes items that would have been worked on at home for domestic display, and pictures that were exhibited to paying audiences or entered in competitions.

“It allows visitors to compare styles, techniques and influences from the wider world, and celebrates the taste and talent of the Museum’s founders, Joséphine and John Bowes, along with the other makers and collectors whose work features in the exhibition. Everything on view has been brought out of store, and some items have never been on show before. This is an exciting opportunity to see some of the unsung treasures of The Bowes Museum’s collection.”

Stories in Stitch opens on Saturday 18th May and runs until Sunday 29th September.

Note to editors:

For all press images, filming, photography and media enquiries, please contact our Marketing & Communications Coordinators Sarah Webster sarah.webster@thebowesmuseum.org.uk or Alison White alison.white@thebowesmuseum.org.uk.
The Bowes Museum is a charity managing a Grade 1 listed accredited museum and Grade 2 listed parkland in Barnard Castle. Founded by Joséphine & John Bowes 150+ years ago, this purpose-built Museum brings together an extraordinary, Designated collection of European fine and decorative art as a cultural resource for the people of Northern England, where today we celebrate artists, designers and makers.

The Bowes Museum receives funding from Durham County Council and, as a National Portfolio Organisation, receives support from Arts Council England. Arts Council England is the national development body for arts and culture across England, working to enrich people’s lives. www.artscouncil.org.uk.
The Bowes Museum is a member of the Discover Durham partnership of attractions, whose commitment is to promote Durham as an exciting and vibrant group travel destination and to provide the travel trade with a professional and knowledgeable service. discoverdurham.co.uk

Admission to The Bowes Museum is £13.50 for local members (residents of County Durham and Darlington), £15.50 for members (residents elsewhere), £18.00 for a day ticket, £19.80 for a day ticket including gift aid. Under 18s, full time students and carers are free. As a registered charity (number 1079639) we need to generate more than half of our income each year to care for our historic collection, buildings and parkland. Your donations are vital to our work. Visit https://thebowesmuseum.org.uk/support/ for more information.

Hanna Tuulikki Away with the Birds / Air Falbh leis na h-eòin screening and performance lecture

Just a few tickets remain for the rare opportunity to see international artist Hanna Tuulikki’s Away with the Birds / Air Falbh leis na h-eòin film screening and performance lecture at The Bowes Museum on Saturday, 11 May 2024.

The spellbinding film explores the imitation within performance practice and representation of birds in the Scottish Gaelic tradition.

At its heart is a vocal composition which weaves together fragments of Gaelic song poetry that imitate birds into a textural tapestry of sound, emerging from and responding to, landscape.

The film will be followed by a performance lecture where Hanna will share her embodied research into the mimesis of birds in Scottish Gaelic song and unpick some of the themes behind the work.

The tickets, which cost £12 each, are selling fast for the show which gets underway at 2pm on Saturday, 11 May.  They can be booked online at thebowesmuseum.org.uk or by calling 01833 690606.

 

Notes to editors:

 

To download the image please click here and use the image name credit:

 

The Bowes Museum is a charity managing a Grade 1 listed accredited museum and Grade 2 listed
parkland in Barnard Castle. Founded by Joséphine & John Bowes 150+ years ago, this purpose-
built Museum brings together an extraordinary, Designated collection of European fine and
decorative art as a cultural resource for the people of Northern England, where today we celebrate
artists, designers and makers.

The Bowes Museum receives funding from Durham County Council and, as a National Portfolio
Organisation, receives support from Arts Council England. Arts Council England is the national
development body for arts and culture across England, working to enrich people’s lives.
www.artscouncil.org.uk
The Bowes Museum is a member of the Discover Durham partnership of attractions, whose
commitment is to promote Durham as an exciting and vibrant group travel destination and to
provide the travel trade with a professional and knowledgeable service. discoverdurham.co.uk

Admission to The Bowes Museum is £13.50 for local members (residents of County Durham and
Darlington), £15.50 for members (residents elsewhere), £18.00 for a day ticket, £19.80 for a day
ticket including gift aid. Under 18s, full time students and carers are free.
As a registered charity (number 1079639) we need to generate more than half of our income each
year to care for our historic collection, buildings and parkland. Your donations are vital to our
work. Visit https://thebowesmuseum.org.uk/support/ for more information.

  • Away with the Birds, Hanna Tuulikki photograph by Alex Boyd.

Major new exhibition to showcase 35 rarely or previously unseen artworks by Norman Cornish and L S Lowry in summer 2024

 

 

 

MEDIA INFORMATION

ATTENTION FORWARD PLANNING/WHAT’S ON 2024

 

Major new exhibition to showcase 35 rarely or previously unseen artworks by Norman Cornish and L S Lowry in summer 2024

The Bowes Museum’s Kith and Kinship: Norman Cornish and L S Lowry exhibition unites two titans of northern art

 

Over 50 paintings, drawings and sketchbooks by artists Norman Cornish and L S Lowry will be showcased at The Bowes Museum from 20th July 2024 – 19th January 2025.

 

This powerful new exhibition at the County Durham Museum is celebrating the work of these two artists who were inspired by the north, capturing its distinctive identity, culture and roots. Kith and Kinship: Norman Cornish and L S Lowry will spotlight the two artists who recorded life in their respective communities,  Cornish very much immersed in his community and Lowry’s persective more of  an outsider ‘looking in’. Both present a range of recognisable scenes across the region, in works depicting the warmth and welcome of a northern home, shared laughter and the heartbeat of northern communities as well as the beauty in the north east’s familiar landscapes.

 

More than half of the artwork on display are from collections in public galleries and private collections throughout the UK, with 35 rarely or previously unseen publicly before. These include timeless, intimate sketches of family scenes by Norman Cornish and captivating paintings of community life by L S Lowry, both providing evocative images of everyday life that visitors to Barnard Castle will be able to relate to.

 

The exhibition will bring together Big Meeting 1947 by Norman Cornish –– and one of L S Lowry’s most well-recognised works, The Procession 1927. Both artists’ works will be presented in a wider context through writings and stories from both artists and the wider community.

 

Norman Cornish (1919 – 2014) and L S Lowry (1887 – 1976) both had other careers before becoming artists. Norman Cornish was born, raised and worked as a miner in Spennymoor, County Durham from 1933 until 1966. He was a professional artist for more years than he was a miner, a fact often overlooked.

 

Although he was born in Stretford, Trafford, Greater Manchester and later lived in Mottram in Longdendale,  the north east was hugely significant to L S Lowry too. He frequently took breaks from his work as a rent collector to visit Berwick-upon-Tweed and Sunderland to paint, noting that the north east was what he had “…always been looking for”.

 

As part of building a community of artists and makers, the curatorial team will work with local people to create engaging descriptions of the works on display. Together they will show how the universal themes these two artists capture will not just resonate with those from the north, but a much wider audience too.

 

Kith and Kinship: Norman Cornish and L S Lowry is part of an ongoing programme of exciting exhibitions running in parallel to the world-class collection that is on permanent display. Easily accessible and only three  hours from London via public transport, it is an evocative and relatable exhibition not to be missed.

 

To find out more about The Bowes Museum, visit www.thebowesmuseum.org.uk

 

-ENDS-

 

Notes to editors

Media materials

A full press release containing more information about the exhibition, alongside high-res images and broadcast quality footage will be available in late spring/early summer 2024.

 

Interviews and filming with experts, either in person on site, via video call or phone call, can also be arranged.

 

Media previews

We will be holding a media preview prior to the exhibition opening. To arrange/register your interest in this, or to arrange a bespoke visit, please contact the Culture Communications Collective:

 

About The Bowes Museum

The Bowes Museum is a charity managing a Grade 1 listed accredited museum and Grade 2 listed parkland in Barnard Castle. Founded by Joséphine & John Bowes 150+ years ago, this purpose-built Museum brings together an extraordinary, Designated collection of European fine and decorative art as a cultural resource for the people of Northern England, where today we celebrate artists, designers and makers.

The Bowes Museum receives funding from Durham County Council and, as a National Portfolio Organisation, receives support from Arts Council England. Arts Council England is the national development body for arts and culture across England, working to enrich people’s lives. www.artscouncil.org.uk

The Bowes Museum is a member of the Discover Durham partnership of attractions, whose commitment is to promote Durham as an exciting and vibrant group travel destination and to provide the travel trade with a professional and knowledgeable service. discoverdurham.co.uk

 

Admission to The Bowes Museum is £13.50 for local members (residents of County Durham and Darlington), £15.50 for members (residents elsewhere), £18.00 for a day ticket, £19.80 for a day ticket  including gift aid. Under 18s, full time students and carers are free.

 

As a registered charity (number 1079639) we need to generate more than half of our income each year to care for our historic collection, buildings and parkland. Your donations are vital to our work. Visit https://thebowesmuseum.org.uk/support/ for more information.

The Bowes Museum Cafe & Conservation Project shortlisted for prestigious national Museums + Heritage Award – Museum calls on public to vote by 12 April for the cafe to secure this outstanding achievement.

 

Media Release

8 April 2024

 

 

The Bowes Museum Cafe & Conservation Project shortlisted for prestigious national Museums + Heritage Award – Museum calls on public to vote by 12 April for the cafe to secure this outstanding achievement.   

  

The Bowes Museum staff are putting a call out to all their valued and loyal customers to vote for Café Bowes by Friday 12th April to help it secure the prestigious national Museums + Heritage  Award for Cafe or Restaurant of the Year.   

The table service café in the Museum in Barnard Castle is up against two others in the public vote for the award, the American Museum & Gardens in Bath and Thackray Museum of Medicine in Leeds. 

People who love the relaxed ambience, the locally sourced seasonal menu in Café Bowes and who want to show their support for its friendly and dedicated team can cast their vote until Friday 12th April.  

It only takes a few minutes to do this by logging into the Museums + Heritage website (awards.museumsandheritage.com/2024-shortlist/), registering and clicking vote now for Café or Restaurant of the Year.  

The Bowes Museum’s Enterprise Manager, David Nicholls, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have been shortlisted for this and really hope that visitors will get behind us and vote.  Winning this award is not just important for the dedicated team of staff but it will help support the region’s work as a tourism destination with quality places to eat, visit and enjoy.” 

The cafe is not the only recognition for the Museum in the awards.  Bring Back the Magic of the Silver Swan has also been shortlisted for the Restoration or Conservation Project of the Year, which demonstrates the commitment to ongoing conservation undertaken at attractions in County Durham.   This sought after award is being judged by an independent panel and other contenders include projects ranging from the University of St Andrews, UK Parliament, Historic England, National Trust and The Churches Conservation Trust.  

This is the 22nd annual Museum + Heritage Awards which celebrate the very best in the world of museums, galleries, cultural and heritage visitor attractions.  The award ceremony will take place on 15 May in London.  

Notes to editors:

The Bowes Museum is a charity managing a Grade 1 listed accredited museum and Grade 2 listed
parkland in Barnard Castle. Founded by Joséphine & John Bowes 150+ years ago, this purpose-
built Museum brings together an extraordinary, Designated collection of European fine and
decorative art as a cultural resource for the people of Northern England, where today we celebrate
artists, designers and makers.

The Bowes Museum receives funding from Durham County Council and, as a National Portfolio
Organisation, receives support from Arts Council England. Arts Council England is the national
development body for arts and culture across England, working to enrich people’s lives.
www.artscouncil.org.uk
The Bowes Museum is a member of the Discover Durham partnership of attractions, whose
commitment is to promote Durham as an exciting and vibrant group travel destination and to
provide the travel trade with a professional and knowledgeable service. discoverdurham.co.uk

Admission to The Bowes Museum is £13.50 for local members (residents of County Durham and
Darlington), £15.50 for members (residents elsewhere), £18.00 for a day ticket, £19.80 for a day
ticket including gift aid. Under 18s, full time students and carers are free.
As a registered charity (number 1079639) we need to generate more than half of our income each
year to care for our historic collection, buildings and parkland. Your donations are vital to our
work. Visit https://thebowesmuseum.org.uk/support/ for more information.

  • Family sitting at a table in Cafe Bowes eating

    A family enjoying a meal in Cafe Bowes.

Springtime at The Bowes Museum
Media release

22 March 2024

Springtime at The Bowes Museum

This springtime, The Bowes Museum, welcomes visitors to its seven fresh new galleries where they can celebrate and be inspired by the collection as they delve into a world of wonder.

The Barnard Castle Museum’s newest galleries, which open to the public on Tuesday 2nd April, have been co-produced with members of the community and they allow visitors to get up close and personal with the collection and get an insight into the artists, makers and designers whose works can be found throughout the building – as well as having a go at creating their own artworks to show alongside the Museum’s treasures.

Alongside this, the daily spotlight tours continue at 11am, which offer a friendly, informal and informative introduction to the exhibitions, collection or building.

The 251 year old majestic Silver Swan is currently wowing visitors with her daily 2pm performances following extensive conservation.

There’s the chance to learn new skills from the Museum’s team of Artists, Makers and Designers in Artists Maker sessions from 1 – 3pm on Wednesday the 3rd and 10th of April and every Saturday, where people can explore the brand new Create space and join an artist for an afternoon of making and creating.

Stay and Play continues every Thursday from 10am until 2pm.  This is the perfect way for the Museum’s younger audiences to soak up the atmosphere as they get creative in these self-led, free-play sessions.

Museum Makes, self-led Artist-designed activities in the Create Gallery offer an opportunity for all visitors to explore their creativity, explore materials and immerse themselves in making.

And the ever popular Family Story Tours return on Friday the 5th and 12th at 1pm with Curious Conversations,  where families can discover more about the objects on display in the exciting new Curiosity and Conversation spaces with the Museum’s friendly team.

There’s lots to do outdoors too, with more than 20 acres of parkland to explore, visitors can pick up a copy of the nature trail or the Parkland Play Book, designed and created with Foundation Press from reception and discover more about the grounds, run off some energy in the play area or simply sit back and soak up the views.

Vicky Sturrs, The Bowes Museum’s Director of Programmes and Collections said:

“There’s lots to keep everyone of all ages entertained and creative throughout the coming weeks. Our fantastic, thought-provoking Murmuration exhibition,fabulous Vivienne Westwood capsule collection and brand new gallery spaces always offer something exciting and inspiring to explore.  With thousands of items to experience and lots to see and do, have a wander, lose track of time and make a day out to remember.”

The Museum’s award winning table service café is open from 10am to 4.30pm daily and visitors can pick up a memento of their visit or a gift at the Museum shop.

 

 

 

 

Notes to editors:

The Bowes Museum is a charity managing a Grade 1 listed accredited museum and Grade 2 listed parkland in Barnard Castle. Founded by Joséphine & John Bowes 150+ years ago, this purpose-built Museum brings together an extraordinary, Designated collection of European fine and decorative art as a cultural resource for the people of Northern England, where today we celebrate artists, designers and makers.

The Bowes Museum receives funding from Durham County Council and, as a National Portfolio Organisation, receives support from Arts Council England. Arts Council England is the national development body for arts and culture across England, working to enrich people’s lives.
www.artscouncil.org.uk
The Bowes Museum is a member of the Discover Durham partnership of attractions, whose commitment is to promote Durham as an exciting and vibrant group travel destination and to provide the travel trade with a professional and knowledgeable service. discoverdurham.co.uk

Admission to The Bowes Museum is £13.50 for local members (residents of County Durham and Darlington), £15.50 for members (residents elsewhere), £18.00 for a day ticket, £19.80 for a day ticket including gift aid. Under 18s, full time students and carers are free.

As a registered charity (number 1079639) The Bowes Museum needs to generate more than half of its income each year to care for the historic collection, buildings and parkland. Donations are vital to its work. Visit https://thebowesmuseum.org.uk/support/ for more information.

 
Seven new spaces created with the community to open on 2 April.
From Tuesday, 2nd April, visitors to The Bowes Museum will be able to explore four new exciting interactive galleries and three specialist collection vaults that have been co-produced with the community to inspire curiosity and creativity.  

 

These accessible, immersive and topical spaces have been created following a programme of activity that included workshops with more than 100 people of all ages, putting the community at the heart of the Museum. 

 

The Museum has brought back into use five spaces that were formerly used as stores, offices and learning suites; and redeveloped others to create these new vibrant and enthralling galleries and tourable collection vaults. 

 

The Curiosity Gallery displays a cross-section of the museum’s collection, curated around themes of home and landscape and will include a soundscape by the Durham based artist David de la Haye made of sounds from Teesdale. These themes link the gallery to the outside landscape, which can now be enjoyed throughout the new galleries thanks to specialist UV filters applied to the reopened windows to avoid damage to the artefacts.  The displays will change regularly to keep the space relevant and fresh and will introduce artists, designers and makers, ideas about neighbourliness and hospitality and the Teesdale landscape, all through items from the collection. 

 

The Create Gallery is a space visitors can investigate the making processes of collection objects; experimenting with materials through prompts and ideas set by the Museum’s Artist team.   One of our Artists, Zoe Allen, will be on hand to throughout the day on the 2nd April to help guide people’s creativity. 

 

The Conversation Gallery is where people can sit and relax, chat and debate, exploring artworks that link to wider ideas and challenges that the world is facing.  Through exploration of current topics, the Museum can explore local solutions to global problems with visitors and school groups. 

 

The Hive, on the first floor of the Museum, will act as a reminder that everyone can collect and that everyone curates.  It’s a space where visitors will be able to see objects, artefacts, documents and collections that have been curated through a collaboration of staff, volunteers and community members, inspired by the Museum’s founders’ thoughtful collecting in the nineteenth century. 

 

The three newly accessible collection vaults will house furniture, textiles and ceramic objects, which visitors will be able to see during specialist guided tours from April.  The objects are displayed in new ways to allow them to be more easily viewed and cared for. 

 

Vicky Sturrs, The Bowes Museum’s Director of Programmes and Collections said: 

 

“The Bowes Museum celebrates its visitors as story tellers, collectors, makers and appreciators in their own right and these new spaces champion that by really bringing the collection to life, enabling people to get up close and personal to it, to spark their curiosity, start conversations and help them explore what actually makes this Museum so special.  We listened to what people said they wanted to see, feel and do while they’re here and we hope they love it as much as we do.  We’re very thankful to our funders for supporting us in bringing this vision to reality.” 

 

Hannah Fox, the Museum’s Executive Director, added:  

 

“We’re so thrilled with these new spaces that embrace the founders, Joséphine and John Bowes’ generosity of spirit and collaboration, and helps the Museum be a place for people to explore their own creativity and curiosity. This inspirational project lays the groundwork for our future ambitions and has created link ups, findings and knowledge that we’re proud to share with other organisations and institutions throughout the country.” 

 

The new spaces were made possible thanks to grants from The Foyle Foundation, DCMS Wolfson and The Friends of The Bowes Museum. 

Notes to editors:

To arrange a visit to the new galleries or for photographs of the space, please contact Sarah Webster: sarah.webster@thebowesmuseum.org.uk or call 01833 690606.

The Bowes Museum is a charity managing a Grade 1 listed accredited museum and Grade 2 listed
parkland in Barnard Castle. Founded by Joséphine & John Bowes 150+ years ago, this purpose-
built Museum brings together an extraordinary, Designated collection of European fine and
decorative art as a cultural resource for the people of Northern England, where today we celebrate
artists, designers and makers.

The Bowes Museum receives funding from Durham County Council and, as a National Portfolio
Organisation, receives support from Arts Council England. Arts Council England is the national
development body for arts and culture across England, working to enrich people’s lives.
www.artscouncil.org.uk
The Bowes Museum is a member of the Discover Durham partnership of attractions, whose
commitment is to promote Durham as an exciting and vibrant group travel destination and to
provide the travel trade with a professional and knowledgeable service. discoverdurham.co.uk

Admission to The Bowes Museum is £13.50 for local members (residents of County Durham and
Darlington), £15.50 for members (residents elsewhere), £18.00 for a day ticket, £19.80 for a day
ticket including gift aid. Under 18s, full time students and carers are free.

As a registered charity (number 1079639) the Museum needs to generate more than half of its income each year to care for the historic collection, buildings and parkland. Donations are vital to this work. Visit https://thebowesmuseum.org.uk/support/ for more information.

1500 hours of work to make silver swan swim again

 

 

Media Release

14 March 2024

 

1500 hours of painstaking work with several thousand parts make a working Silver Swan

After more than 1500 hours of painstaking work carried out by specialist horologists, The Bowes Museum’s iconic 250 year old life size Silver Swan, the only one in the world, is set to wow audiences once again as she comes back to life in her true form for the first time in four years.

Visitors to the Barnard Castle Museum can again be mesmerized on a daily basis by the Silver Swan’s majestic movements as she swims, prims and feeds herself on a flowing glass stream accompanied by music from 2pm on Tuesday, 19 March.

The intricate restoration and conservation project was carried out by experts from the Cumbria Clock Company, assisted by clocks interns from West Dean College in Sussex and Birmingham School of Jewellery alongside the Museum’s in-house conservation team.   Students from the conservation course at Lincoln University also observed and were able to add to their learning from the restoration process.

The Silver Swan is a solid silver replica of a female swan and one of the finest examples of 18th century automata in the world.  An automaton is a clockwork designed to replicate real life.  It was made in the workshop of James Cox in London and was first shown in his museum in 1773.  It has three clockwork mechanisms and contains more than 2,000 moving parts, with several thousand in its whole.

Visitors have been able to observe much of the restoration and conservation work being carried out in the Silver Swan gallery.

Keith Scobie-Youngs, the Director of the Cumbria Clock Company said:

“It’s been a real privilege to work on such a historic object as the Silver Swan that means such a great deal to so many people.  It’s been incredible to get an insight into the workings of the clock makers of the past and see how so many of the skills they possessed are still relevant today and to have been able to pass on that knowledge to a new generation of clockmakers and horologists has been incredibly humbling.”

Victoria Franka was appointed as the Silver Swan artist in residence while the conservation work was taking place. The multidisciplinary mixed media artist, led 10 workshops throughout her residency where she shared her skills and expertise with visitors.  The work she created, which includes two macrame wall hangings, a 3D printed wallhanging and a zoetrope (spinning animation) can also been seen in the Silver Swan gallery.

The project was funded by a grant of £146,324.00 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, money from The Friends of The Bowes Museum, The Leche Trust, The Aurelius Charitable Trust, The Circles of Art and the generosity of people who gave £20,375.00 to a Crowdfunding Campaign as well as private donors.

Visitors will be able to enjoy the Silver Swan performing once a day at 2pm from Tuesday, 19th of March 2024 at The Bowes Museum in Barnard Castle.   The Museum is open from 10am to 5pm daily.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes to editors:

You can download some images of the Silver Swan here.

Silver Swan

Please credit these ©Silver Swan, The Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle

The Bowes Museum is a charity managing a Grade 1 listed accredited museum and Grade 2 listed
parkland in Barnard Castle. Founded by Joséphine & John Bowes 150+ years ago, this purpose-
built Museum brings together an extraordinary, Designated collection of European fine and
decorative art as a cultural resource for the people of Northern England, where today we celebrate
artists, designers and makers.

The Bowes Museum receives funding from Durham County Council and, as a National Portfolio
Organisation, receives support from Arts Council England. Arts Council England is the national
development body for arts and culture across England, working to enrich people’s lives.
www.artscouncil.org.uk
The Bowes Museum is a member of the Discover Durham partnership of attractions, whose
commitment is to promote Durham as an exciting and vibrant group travel destination and to
provide the travel trade with a professional and knowledgeable service. discoverdurham.co.uk

Admission to The Bowes Museum is £13.50 for local members (residents of County Durham and
Darlington), £15.50 for members (residents elsewhere), £18.00 for a day ticket, £19.80 for a day
ticket including gift aid. Under 18s, full time students and carers are free.
As a registered charity (number 1079639) we need to generate more than half of our income each
year to care for our historic collection, buildings and parkland. Your donations are vital to our
work. Visit https://thebowesmuseum.org.uk/support/ for more information.

February Fun at The Bowes Museum

Media Release

26 January 2024

 

FEBRUARY FUN AT THE BOWES MUSEUM

 

There’s something great to see and do everyday at The Bowes Museum this February.

From the new exhibition, Murmuration, daily spotlight tours to an Open Day on Saturday, 10th February, an artist screening and performance lecture on Saturday, the 17th, as well as different daily events throughout the half term break, there’s always something new to discover at The Bowes Museum in Barnard Castle.

Visitors can join a day full of making and creating with plenty to see and do at the Museum’s Open Day on Saturday, 10th February from 10am until 3.30pm.

They can take part in bird inspired Artist Maker workshops, with family activities inside and out.  They can learn more about the Museum’s collection in a series of friendly theme talks and tours led by the Museum’s team of experts as well as enjoying a peek behind the scenes.

Highlights include guest speakers, ranging from the Cumbria Clock Company who’ll be giving an insight into the Silver Swan Conservation Projecty as well as a talk from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds who’ll be explaining how we can care for our garden birds.

There are tours around the Museum and parkland, where people can discover areas of interest and find out more about the collection.

They can also go behind the scenes of the Curiosity Project in special Hard Hat Tours to hear about the redesigned galleries and stores that are due to open in April.  They can view the collection of paintings in store and get an introduction to A Collector’s Story: A Private Collection of Vivienne Westwood in the Meet the Curators sessions.

A number of the tours and talks during the Opern Day will be accompanied by a British Sign Language interpreter.

There a screening of the film Away with the Birds/Air falbh leis na h-eòin by the artist Hanna Tuulikki, whose work appears in Murmuration, on Saturday, 17 February, at 2pm.  This body of work explores the mimesis and representation of birds in the Scottish Gaelic song tradition.  At its heart is a vocal composition weaving together fragments of Gaelic song poetry that imitates birds into a textual tapestry of sound, emerging from and responding to, landscape. This will be followed at 3pm by a performance lecture where Hanna will share her embodied research into the mimesis of birds in Scottish Gaelic Song and unpick some of the themes behind the work.  Tickets are £12 for this and can be booked on the Museum’s website or by contacting reception on 01833 690606.

Artist Jane Young returns to the Museum for the Saturday Make: Artist Maker session from 1 – 3pm on 17 February to lead an afternoon of creativity taking inspiration from Murmuration.  

There’s Parkland Play on Sunday 18th February, with the chance to explore with the Parkland Playbook and have fun with the selection of hula hoops, bats and balls outside for visitors to enjoy.

The ever popular Family Story Tours return with Bird Stories at 11am and 1pm on Monday, Tuesday and Friday the 19th, 20th and 23rd of Feburary where visitors can join the Museum’s fun and interactive family tours as we take inspiration from the Murmuration exhibition to look at other birds in the collection.

The Artist Betty Brown will be sharing her skills in the Wednesday Make: Artist Maker session from 1 – 3pm, taking inspiration from the Murmuration exhibition for the workshop.

The Museum’s younger audiences, aged 5 and under, can enjoy time to explore and play in the galleries where they can investigate materials and be creative in self-led, free play sessions from 10am to 2pm in Thursday’s Stay and Play session on the 22 February.

And the Saturday Make: Artist Maker session on 24th February will be lead by the artist Zoe Allen who’ll be leading a workshop based on Murmuration.

Visitors will also be able to immerse themselves in the world of birds, exploring avian symbolism in art and trace its significance across time and cultures in the new exhibition Murmuration, which is open until 23 June.

This exhibition presents a wide selection of work from artists and makers from various generations, backgrounds and contexts, whose work ranges across drawing, sculpture, film and installation.

It shows the pivotal role birds play as indicators to the health of the environment, reflecting the urgent climate crisis and, through the work of artist and makers, ponders the metaphor of birds as messengers of home and belonging.  It examines the complexity and nuance around the collecting of taxidermy, from its role as a teaching resource to its connections to scientific racism and colonial exploitation and invites visitors to consider the ethical and cultural implicaitons of preserving anuimals for study and display.

Artist Maker sessions take place every Saturday throughout the year.

Admission to all the events, unless otherwise specified, is free with entry to the Museum.

 

 

 

 

Notes to editors:

The Bowes Museum is a charity managing a Grade 1 listed accredited museum and Grade 2 listed
parkland in Barnard Castle. Founded by Joséphine & John Bowes 150+ years ago, this purpose-
built Museum brings together an extraordinary, Designated collection of European fine and
decorative art as a cultural resource for the people of Northern England, where today we celebrate
artists, designers and makers.

The Bowes Museum receives funding from Durham County Council and, as a National Portfolio
Organisation, receives support from Arts Council England. Arts Council England is the national
development body for arts and culture across England, working to enrich people’s lives.
www.artscouncil.org.uk
The Bowes Museum is a member of the Discover Durham partnership of attractions, whose
commitment is to promote Durham as an exciting and vibrant group travel destination and to
provide the travel trade with a professional and knowledgeable service. discoverdurham.co.uk

Admission to The Bowes Museum is £13.50 for local members (residents of County Durham and
Darlington), £15.50 for members (residents elsewhere), £18.00 for a day ticket, £19.80 for a day
ticket including gift aid. Under 18s, full time students and carers are free.
As a registered charity (number 1079639) we need to generate more than half of our income each
year to care for our historic collection, buildings and parkland. Your donations are vital to our
work. Visit https://thebowesmuseum.org.uk/support/ for more information.

Work is well underway on exciting new spaces at The Bowes Museum
Media Release

28 December 2023

 

Work is well underway on exciting new spaces at The Bowes Museum

 

Work is well underway on the creation of four new exciting gallery spaces and accessible storage vaults at The Bowes Museum.

The Curiosity Project will see the galleries on the ground floor of the Barnard Castle Museum transformed into interactive spaces that will celebrate the collection, inspire curiosity and encourage exploration and conversation. Our visitors told us they wanted to explore the stories behind our objects, have making experiences that help them get hands-on with materials and techniques and learn more about the Artists, Designers and Makers whose works are cared for by the Museum. Our new spaces will do all of this!

Three former offices and educational spaces in the Museum’s vaults have also been stripped back ready for the rooms to be kitted out with new display systems to better store and care for our collection.  Stored furniture, textile and ceramic objects will also be accessible to visitors in specialist guided tours from April.

The galleries on the ground floor have been cleared, shutters to long-closed windows reopened and new flooring laid.  They’re being transformed into:

A Curiosity Space,  where a soundscape linking the gallery to the outside will change as visitors move around the room investigating objects and artworks.  Our displays will change regularly but in April we’ll introduce Artists, Designers and Makers, ideas about neighbourliness and hospitality and the Teesdale landscape, all through items from the collection.

A Create Space to investigate the making processes of collection objects; experimenting with materials through prompts and ideas set by our Artist team.

A Conversation Space where people relax, chat and debate, exploring artworks that link to wider ideas and key challenges our world is facing. Here we’ll explore local solutions to global problems.

Additionally, one of our first floor rooms, which until recently was used for storage, will become an area known as the Hive.  This will be a ‘hive of activity inspired by our co-founder, Josephine Bowes’ thoughtful collecting. Here, visitors will be able to see objects, artefacts, documents and collections that have been curated through a collaboration of staff, volunteers and community members; a reminder that everyone can collect and everyone curates.

Our staff and growing Volunteer Team will be on hand to guide visitors and answer any questions.  Those interested in volunteering on this exciting new adventure can find out more by contacting jess.white@thebowesmuseum.org.uk

The Museum has worked with more than 100 people of all ages from individuals to families and community groups to shape these spaces.

Vicky Sturrs, the Museum’s Director of Programmes and Collections, said: “We’re excited to be bringing new galleries to The Bowes Museum. Working with our communities, we’ve explored new ways to see and understand our collections, we’ve heard directly how people want to feel in their Museum and what kind of environments and objects help shape those experiences. I’m thrilled to say we’re able to make those happen through this refit. Being able to get more of collections on show is key for me, and our new storage vaults help us with this. This is the start of a journey of curiosity at the Museum too so we expect to redisplay these spaces regularly, reinforcing the message that there’s always something great to see and do at The Bowes Museum.”

This community co-production project has been made possible thanks to funding from DCMS Wolfson Foundation, the Foyle Foundation and the Friends of The Bowes Museum.

 

  • Notes to editors:

The Bowes Museum is a charity managing a Grade 1 listed accredited museum and Grade 2 listed parkland in Barnard Castle. Founded by Joséphine & John Bowes 150+ years ago, this purpose-built Museum brings together an extraordinary, Designated collection of European fine and decorative art as a cultural resource for the people of Northern England, where today we celebrate artists, designers and makers.

The Bowes Museum receives funding from Durham County Council and, as a National Portfolio Organisation, receives support from Arts Council England. Arts Council England is the national
development body for arts and culture across England, working to enrich people’s lives.
www.artscouncil.org.uk
The Bowes Museum is a member of the Discover Durham partnership of attractions, whose commitment is to promote Durham as an exciting and vibrant group travel destination and to
provide the travel trade with a professional and knowledgeable service. discoverdurham.co.uk

Admission to The Bowes Museum is £13.50 for local members (residents of County Durham and Darlington), £15.50 for members (residents elsewhere), £18.00 for a day ticket, £19.80 for a day ticket including gift aid. Under 18s, full time students and carers are free.
As a registered charity (number 1079639) we need to generate more than half of our income each year to care for our historic collection, buildings and parkland. Your donations are vital to our
work. Visit https://thebowesmuseum.org.uk/support/ for more information.

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Extension of A Collector’s Story: A Private Collection of VIVIENNE WESTWOOD at The Bowes Museum

Due to public enthusiasm and demand, The Bowes Museum is delighted to announce the extension of the special capsule collection, A COLLECTOR’S STORY: A Private Collection of VIVIENNE WESTWOOD. Originally scheduled to conclude on 4 February 2024, the display will now remain open until 6 May 2024.

 

Since its opening on 22 July 2023, the show has captivated visitors with its unique portrayal of Vivienne Westwood’s iconic designs, created in partnership with collector Peter Smithson The show provides an insight into the late designer’s avant-garde creations from the 80s and 90s. Visitors can to delve into the evolution of Westwood’s groundbreaking designs, as well as the historical and cultural influences that shaped her iconic collections.

 

Peter Smithson, the collector behind the display, expressed his gratitude for the overwhelming response and shared, “I am thrilled that more people will have the chance to experience and enjoy this collection. It has been a labour of love and I am grateful for the opportunity to share these memories and pieces of fashion history.”

 

Rachel Whitworth, The Bowes Museum’s Curator of Fashion and Textiles, echoed the sentiment, saying, “The response to ‘A COLLECTOR’S STORY’ has been beyond our expectations. Extending the display allows us to continue honouring Vivienne Westwood’s legacy and providing an enriching experience for our visitors.”

 

Visitors can continue to explore the 12 outfits and various accessories on display, offering a comprehensive look at Westwood’s groundbreaking work from Mini-Crini (1985) to Storm in a Teacup (1996/97). The unique combination of garments from Smithson’s private collection and items from the Museum’s extensive archives creates a dynamic narrative that bridges the gap between fashion and history. Join us for an extended journey into the world of Vivienne Westwood’s revolutionary designs, until 6 May 2024.

 

  • red Vivienne Westwood shoes in case

    Red Vivienne Westwood shoes in case

Weeks left to explore The Magic of the Silver Swan at The Bowes Museum

The Bowes Museum’s landmark exhibition, The Magic of the Silver Swan, which celebrates the beauty and artistry of the science of automata has just three weeks left for the public to explore.

The exhibition, which has been open at the Barnard Castle based Museum since 8 July, is a celebration of automata, clockwork machines, the enduring fascination we have with mechanical devices and how we can explore art through technology.

The Silver Swan is the Museum’s most iconic object and was made in 1773 in James Cox’s workshop in London, and it’s believed the inventor John Joseph Merlin worked on the mechanism that gives the swan its graceful and realistic movements as it gently moves its head and neck as it ‘swims’ on glassy water before reaching down and catching a fish from a nearby shoal in its beak.

As well as items from the Museum’s collection, it will feature loans from distinguished institutions including The British Museum; Science Museum; Metropolitan Museum of Arts and Crafts, Paris; Royal Collection Trust; The National Archives, Bodleian Library, Victoria Art Gallery, Kenwood House and Guildhall Library as well as private individuals.

Inventiveness is at the heart of the exhibition which explores movement and kinetic art from all walks of time, from the historical to the contemporary, that tell different stories but are linked by their creation.

It is these stories and how they are interwoven that allows people to interpret the exhibition in new and exciting ways from experiencing a contemporary response to a historical artefact, with Kinnari Saraiya’s Bioscope, which challenges and questions the original repressive use of the object, to playfulness by making items spring into life with ten interactive works from the Cabaret Mechanical Theatre.

Placement of objects is key to the flow of the exhibition, with John Joseph Merlin’s patent for a harpsichord near footage of David Roentgen’s musical automaton: Queen Marie Antoinette, the Dulcimar Player, and a cello and violin designed by Merlin, shown alongside a 2004 film by the Turner Prize nominated Yinka Shonibare of A Masked Ball, which would have had similar music and melody accompanying it – and a contemporary automaton that speaks to it in the form of Swedish artist, Tobias Bradford’s Performer, a prosthetic arm playing a synthesiser.  All sited near an 18th century mezzotint by Richard Earlom of the inside of the Pantheon in Oxford Road, a popular entertainment venue (which also hosted masquerades) frequented by Merlin’s contemporaries and customers who bought his automata.

Rebecca Moss’s film Comfort Food is on display as well as the North East’s Helen Pailing’s collaboration with Marek Gabrysch of a reclaimed kinetic sculptural and sound piece Potential Energy (2022) and Martin Smith’s Bird Wave. The show will also include archival imagery and footage by the late British artist Bruce Lacey, who was known as a modern day Merlin.

Charles Babbage’s Difference Engine, the forerunner to the modern day computer, is on display from the Science Museum, as well as the Rose Engine Lathe which was used to make ornamental patterns on the plates used in printing bank notes and postage stamps.

Alongside the Silver Swan, 18th century automaton figurines, musical boxes and a collection of 19th and 20th century clockwork metalwork and tin toys from the Museum’s collection add to the ‘magical mechanical’ feel of the exhibition.

The Bowes Museum’s Director of Programmes and Collections, Vicky Sturrs, said: “The Magic of the Silver Swan has been such a joy to curate. We’ve brought together a really varied mix of artworks and objects that all explore movement, kinetics and automation. It’s been really fun to include interactive pieces from artists Kinnari Saraiya, Tobias Bradford, Martin Smith and Cabaret Mechanical Theatre and to host such a beautiful new commission from Helen Pailing with Marek Gabresch. I’ve loved the laughter I’ve heard from visitors watching videos by Rebecca Moss and the way Yinka Shonibare’s Un Ballo in Maschera has captivated our audiences. We’ve loaned some incredible work from partners including the Science Museum, National Trust, British Library and British Museum as well as private collectors. It’s such a fitting way to celebrate automata in the year of our Silver Swan’s 250th birthday.”

As well as playing with the automata on view from Martin Smith and Cabaret Mechanical Theatre, visitors can create their own automatons to add to the display in a workshop area outside the exhibition gallery.

The show closes at 5pm on Sunday, 7 January 2024.

 

Notes to editors:

Photo credit: Colin Davison

The Bowes Museum is a charity managing a Grade 1 listed accredited museum and Grade 2 listed parkland in Barnard Castle. Founded by Joséphine & John Bowes 150+ years ago, this purpose-built Museum brings together an extraordinary, Designated collection of European fine and decorative art as a cultural resource for the people of Northern England, where today we celebrate artists, designers and makers.

The Bowes Museum receives funding from Durham County Council and, as a National Portfolio Organisation, receives support from Arts Council England. Arts Council England is the national development body for arts and culture across England, working to enrich people’s lives.
www.artscouncil.org.uk
The Bowes Museum is a member of the Discover Durham partnership of attractions, whose commitment is to promote Durham as an exciting and vibrant group travel destination and to provide the travel trade with a professional and knowledgeable service. discoverdurham.co.uk

Admission to The Bowes Museum is £13.50 for local members (residents of County Durham and Darlington), £15.50 for members (residents elsewhere), £18.00 for a day ticket, £19.80 for a day ticket including gift aid. Under 18s, full time students and carers are free.
As a registered charity (number 1079639) we need to generate more than half of our income each year to care for our historic collection, buildings and parkland. Your donations are vital to our work. Visit https://thebowesmuseum.org.uk/support/ for more information.

  • People looking at items in The Magic of the Silver Swan exhibition gallery

    1600 Bowes Mu.

Winter Market returns to The Bowes Museum

WINTER MARKET RETURNS TO THE BOWES MUSEUM

15, 16 & 17 DECEMBER, 2023

More than 1,500 people are expected to attend The Bowes Museum’s annual Winter Market next week.

Tickets are selling fast for this highlight in the regional calendar which will see over 115 local artisan traders set up stalls in the galleries and grounds of the Barnard Castle based Museum.

Visitors will be able soak up the festive atmosphere as they support artists, makers and designers from across the region who’ll be selling a wide variety of wares from books to beer and brownies, Christmas cakes and decorations to cheese and candles, jewellery and jam, dog treats and leads, pictures and pies and much, much more.  So there’s plenty of choice to choose from to find the perfect gift for even the fussiest of people.

Entertainment throughout this special event will include music provided by five different choirs, two pianists, two instrumentalists, and a dance group.   There will also be the chance to learn new skills with the Museum’s Artist Makers.

Victoria Franka, a multi media artist, and the Museum’s Heritage Artist in Residence, will be teaching people how to produce an early form of animation known as a thaumatrope where you create the illusion of two images becoming one from 10am until 12 noon and from 1pm – 3pm throughout the market.

Cath Hodgson, will be passing on some of her skills as a printmaker who’s inspired by nature and a love of colour during her sessions and  Lesley Anne Rose, who is an animator and artist who specialises in model making and puppet creation, will be inspiring visitors to learn and expand on their artistic skills in workshops over the three days. Visitors will be able to create some Christmas crafts to take home with them too.

For the competitive, there will be a large Scalextric track set up inside the Museum, which visitors can have a go at racing each other on for £1 per person.

With more than 13 different stands selling a selection of hot food and drinks, ranging from mulled wine, coffee, donuts, burgers, jacket potatoes, noodles, hot sandwiches, German sausages, gourmet cheese toasties and mini dutch pancakes and much, much more, there are plenty of delights to tantalise your tastebuds.

Café Bowes will also be open, serving delicious food and drinks throughout the day to sit down and enjoy or take out.  The Museum shop will also be open with a wide range of products and special festive offers suitable for everyone.

Entry to the Winter Market is £6.50 for adults, £3.50 for children and free for carers and under 5s.  Onsite parking is £5 but must be booked online or by telephoning 01833 690606 in advance.

 

 

 

Notes to editors:

The Bowes Museum is a charity managing a Grade 1 listed accredited museum and Grade 2 listed parkland in Barnard Castle. Founded by Joséphine & John Bowes 150+ years ago, this purpose-built Museum brings together an extraordinary, Designated collection of European fine and decorative art as a cultural resource for the people of Northern England, where today we celebrate artists, designers and makers.

The Bowes Museum receives funding from Durham County Council and, as a National Portfolio Organisation, receives support from Arts Council England. Arts Council England is the national development body for arts and culture across England, working to enrich people’s lives. www.artscouncil.org.uk
The Bowes Museum is a member of the Discover Durham partnership of attractions, whose commitment is to promote Durham as an exciting and vibrant group travel destination and to provide the travel trade with a professional and knowledgeable service. discoverdurham.co.uk

Admission to The Bowes Museum is £13.50 for local members (residents of County Durham and Darlington), £15.50 for members (residents elsewhere), £18.00 for a day ticket, £19.80 for a day ticket including gift aid. Under 18s, full time students and carers are free.

As a registered charity (number 1079639) we need to generate more than half of our income each year to care for our historic collection, buildings and parkland. Your donations are vital to our work. Visit https://thebowesmuseum.org.uk/support/ for more information.

Thank you for helping to bring back the magic of the Silver Swan
Media release

7 December 2023

Thank you for helping to bring back the magic of the Silver Swan

 

The Bowes Museum is delighted that the Silver Swan will be able to perform again, thanks to the generosity of 198 people giving to an exciting Crowdfunding campaign.

Following a grant of £146,324 from the National Heritage Lottery Fund, the Museum needed to raise at least £18,000 to reach the conservation project target £199,142 to restore and repair the iconic 18th century object.

It’s raised a fantastic £20,375 of that £18,000 target, 114% of its crowdfunding campaign with Art Fund’s Art Happens.

Supporters took advantage of the rewards, scooping up online mentions, Swan tote bags and t-shirts, limited edition Swan postcards and prints as well as the chance to see behind the scenes in a workshop at the restorer’s studio.  And one very lucky person has paid £2,500 to wind the Silver Swan when she performs again for the first time.

Hannah Fox, Executive Director of The Bowes Museum, said: “We did it! We are so excited and so grateful to all our supporters who helped us get over the line.  Your generosity has been truly inspiring, each and every donation means we can successfully bring back the magic of the Silver Swan ensuring that she will continue to inspire generations to come.  Thank you!”

The Silver Swan is a life size, solid silver replica of a female swan and is one of the finest examples of 18th century automata in the world.  It was made in the workshop of James Cox in London and was first shown in his museum in 1773.  It has three clockwork mechanisms and contains more than 2,000 moving parts, with several thousand in its whole.

It performed daily until 2020 when the Museum closed during to the pandemic.

The work to restore and conserve the Silver Swan is being carried out by the Cumbria Clock Company and their interns, alongside the Museum’s in-house conservation team. Visitors are able to watch some of the conservation work in progress in the Silver Swan gallery, with volunteer swan explainers on hand to tell them more or answer any questions.

 

Notes to editors:

The Bowes Museum is a charity managing a Grade 1 listed accredited museum and Grade 2 listed parkland in Barnard Castle. Founded by Joséphine & John Bowes 150+ years ago, this purpose- built Museum brings together an extraordinary, Designated collection of European fine and decorative art as a cultural resource for the people of Northern England, where today we celebrate artists, designers and makers.

The Bowes Museum receives funding from Durham County Council and, as a National Portfolio Organisation, receives support from Arts Council England. Arts Council England is the national
development body for arts and culture across England, working to enrich people’s lives.
www.artscouncil.org.uk
The Bowes Museum is a member of the Discover Durham partnership of attractions, whose commitment is to promote Durham as an exciting and vibrant group travel destination and to
provide the travel trade with a professional and knowledgeable service. discoverdurham.co.uk

Admission to The Bowes Museum is £13.50 for local members (residents of County Durham and Darlington), £15.50 for members (residents elsewhere), £18.00 for a day ticket, £19.80 for a day ticket including gift aid. Under 18s, full time students and carers are free.
As a registered charity (number 1079639) we need to generate more than half of our income each year to care for our historic collection, buildings and parkland. Your donations are vital to our
work. Visit https://thebowesmuseum.org.uk/support/ for more information.

 

  • The Silver Swan

Funding boost for young volunteers at The Bowes Museum

Ali W PR banner signature & logo.jpg

 

Media Release

27 November 2023

 

Funding boost for Young Volunteers at The Bowes Museum

 

The Bowes Museum has received an award of £59,053 from AIM Connected Communities Fund to support a Young Volunteers project.

The scheme will be delivered in partnership with Teesdale School and Sixth Form in Barnard Castle and will see the Museum work with young people, aged from 14 to 18, from across the school’s rural catchment area to create 30 new volunteer positions.

These young people will be at the centre of the project from its development, identifying barriers young people may face to volunteering.  The Museum will work with them to to develop a model for young volunteering; including content design, direction and delivery.

It’s hoped that by creating meaningful volunteering opportunities that truly meet young people’s individual needs, it will increase their levels of social connections, build their confidence and increase their transferable skills.

Vicky Sturrs, the Museum’s Director of Programmes and Collections said: “This project will directly support the Museum’s mission to engage more local people with the heritage on their doorstep.  It will help develop a sense of belonging and ownership of the building and its collection and will increase community connection and pride as well as create work experience opportunities that increase employability by giving the young people involved transferable skills and an understanding of the creative industries as a future career option.”

Dr Simon Henderson, Deputy Headteacher and Head of Sixth Form at Teesdale School, added: “This is an exciting opportunity for the local community and for our students.  We look forward to working with the Bowes on this project.”

Once the model is defined and systems are developed its hoped that the project could be extended to other schools and community organisations.

AIM Connected Communities is funded by the DCMS Know Your Neighbourhood Fund through Arts Council England.

             

 

Notes to editors:

The Bowes Museum is a charity managing a Grade 1 listed accredited museum and Grade 2 listed parkland in Barnard Castle. Founded by Joséphine & John Bowes 150+ years ago, this purpose-built Museum brings together an extraordinary, Designated collection of European fine and decorative art as a cultural resource for the people of Northern England, where today we celebrate artists, designers and makers.

The Bowes Museum receives funding from Durham County Council and, as a National Portfolio Organisation, receives support from Arts Council England. Arts Council England is the national development body for arts and culture across England, working to enrich people’s lives.
www.artscouncil.org.uk
The Bowes Museum is a member of the Discover Durham partnership of attractions, whose commitment is to promote Durham as an exciting and vibrant group travel destination and to provide the travel trade with a professional and knowledgeable service. discoverdurham.co.uk

Admission to The Bowes Museum is £13.50 for local members (residents of County Durham and Darlington), £15.50 for members (residents elsewhere), £18.00 for a day ticket, £19.80 for a day ticket including gift aid. Under 18s, full time students and carers are free.
As a registered charity (number 1079639) we need to generate more than half of our income each year to care for our historic collection, buildings and parkland. Your donations are vital to our work. Visit https://thebowesmuseum.org.uk/support/ for more information.

The Bowes Museum receives £65,000 towards Curiosity Project

The Bowes Museum receives £65,000 towards the Curiosity Project

The Bowes Museum has received a grant of £65,000 from the Foyle Foundation towards its Curiosity Project.

The money will help the County Durham Museum unlock the potential of four new exciting gallery spaces and stores which will be developed to focus on inspiring curiosity and conversations and engaging communities with the collection.

The Museum has worked with a number of families, individuals and community groups made up of both stakeholders and non visitors to help shape the direction of the new gallery spaces in drop in, open access workshops.  This co-production of approximately 346sqm of galleries and storage will improve access, display and care of the Designated collection and encourage, promote and enable learning, curiosity and conversation.

The Curiosity Project provides a catalyst for a new community centred and multidisciplinary approach to connect collaboratively and creatively with our communities in new way, as well as co-produce new displays, care for the collection and increase knowledge, skills and good practice within our curatorial team.

There are around 58,000 objects in the collection, of which around 6% is currently on display, the Curiosity Project will see this figure rise to 10% of objects on public display, including in new accessible storage areas.

The galleries will provide a close-up/hands on introduction to the collection with new displays and interpretation which will encourage curiosity and provide a taster of what can be explored in more detail in galleries elsewhere in the building.  These accessible spaces will be designed flexibly so they can be used for a wide range of learning activities for schools, familes and adults to support and empower visitors to explore the rest of the Museum, with understanding and confidence on their own terms.

The Museum has already successfully secured funding from DCMS Wolfson and the Friends of The Bowes Museum.

 

 

Notes to editors:

The Bowes Museum is a charity managing a Grade 1 listed accredited museum and Grade 2 listed parkland in Barnard Castle. Founded by Joséphine & John Bowes 150+ years ago, this purpose-built Museum brings together an extraordinary, Designated collection of European fine and decorative art as a cultural resource for the people of Northern England, where today we celebrate artists, designers and makers.

The Bowes Museum receives funding from Durham County Council and, as a National Portfolio Organisation, receives support from Arts Council England. Arts Council England is the national development body for arts and culture across England, working to enrich people’s lives. www.artscouncil.org.uk
The Bowes Museum is a member of the Discover Durham partnership of attractions, whose commitment is to promote Durham as an exciting and vibrant group travel destination and to provide the travel trade with a professional and knowledgeable service. discoverdurham.co.uk

Admission to The Bowes Museum is £13.50 for local members (residents of County Durham and Darlington), £15.50 for members (residents elsewhere), £18.00 for a day ticket, £19.80 for a day ticket  including gift aid. Under 18s, full time students and carers are free.

As a registered charity (number 1079639) we need to generate more than half of our income each year to care for our historic collection, buildings and parkland. Your donations are vital to our work. Visit https://thebowesmuseum.org.uk/support/ for more information.

Murmuration

 

 

Media Release

10 November 2023

MURMURATION AT THE BOWES MUSEUM

27 JANUARY 2024 – 23 JUNE 2024

People will be able to delve into the world of birds by exploring avian symbolism in art and trace its significance across cultures and time in a groundbreaking exhibition at The Bowes Museum next year.

Murmuration presents a wide selection of work from artists and makers from various generations, backgrounds and genres whose work ranges from drawing, sculpture, film and installation.

Visitors to the County Durham museum will discover the pivotal role that birds play as indicators to the health of the environment, reflecting the urgent climate crisis and, through the work of artists and makers, ponder the metaphor of birds as messengers of home and belonging as well as learn how birds were represented in art as metaphors for innocence, status and courtship through artworks from the collection.

They can examine the complex reasons around the collecting of taxidermy, from its role as a teaching resource to its connections to scientific racism and colonial exploitation, and consider the ethical and cultural implications of preserving animals for study and display.

Featuring a mix of contemporary and historical works in a series of themes around belonging, collection, crisis and symbolism, the show includes works by Larry Achiampong and David Blandy, Henna Asikainen, Shiraz Bayjoo, Bentley Beetham, Museum founder Joséphine Bowes, Michel Pierre Hubert Descours, John Doyle, Ryan Gander, Sally Madge, Bethan Maddocks, Edouard-Aimé Pils, David Shrigley, C F Tunnicliffe and Hanna Tuulikki among others.

Murmuration will raise awareness of our human impact on the environment and promote concern for the need for individual and collective change towards a more sustainable, equitable and ecological future on a shared and increasingly fragile planet.

Pieces from the Museum’s collection will be set alongside the contemporary works with additional loans from other institutions including the British Council, Great North Museum:Hancock, Stephen Friedman Gallery, Copperfield Gallery and individuals.

Regional artist, Bethan Maddocks’ paper sculptural-installation, Twelfth Night Pie recreates a bird pie filled with species that now face mass decline, this will be juxtaposed with the Irish artist John Doyle’s lithograph print from 136, Sing a Song of Sixpence from the collection.

How history unfolds a legacy around where birds and people come from, where they migrate and how they return will also be examined in the exhibition through the reproduction of photographic images by the Barnard Castle based ornithologist, photographer and adventurer Bentley Betham as well as lithographs and prints of netted fields shown through the exhibition as well, with works from the collection showing how red and orange hen harriers, curlews and different breeds of plovers are all at risk in the North Pennines.

A series of contemporary taxidermy pieces by the late Sunderland multidisciplinary artist Sally Madge highlight the impact humans have on the environment by showing the consequences consuming microplastics has on the birds.

The show will also feature a sound piece by Hanna Tuulikki that invites visitors to immerse themselves in a cacophony of bird song and calls as well as a film work by Larry Achiampong and David Blandy.  This film explores the under-recognised relationship between Charles Darwin and John Edmonstone, a former enslaved black man, whose teaching gave Darwin taxidermy skills that were pivotal to the development of his theory of evolution.

Vicky Sturrs, The Bowes Museum’s Director of Programmes and Collections, said: “This is a timely exhibition that showcases the Museum’s vast and varied collection, exhibiting a number of previously unseen works from our stores alongside contemporary pieces that, together, explore our human impact in and on the natural world.  We have some stunning pieces on show from artists, designers and makers that, although centuries apart, speak to similar ideas; documenting and commenting on our impact on the planet.  This show will, through a host of visual treats, promote thinking and action for us as individuals and as humankind, to slow the decline of climate change.”

The exhibition will be accompanied by a public programme of radical ecology events aimed at adults.

Murmuration opens on 27 January 2024 and runs until 23 June 2024.

 

Notes to editors:

If using the image please use the following picture credit:

Henna Asikainen: Icarus and Other Fallen Angels (2013–ongoing)

The Bowes Museum is a charity managing a Grade 1 listed accredited museum and Grade 2 listed parkland in Barnard Castle. Founded by Joséphine & John Bowes 150+ years ago, this purpose-built Museum brings together an extraordinary, Designated collection of European fine and decorative art as a cultural resource for the people of Northern England, where today we celebrate artists, designers and makers.

The Bowes Museum receives funding from Durham County Council and, as a National Portfolio Organisation, receives support from Arts Council England. Arts Council England is the national development body for arts and culture across England, working to enrich people’s lives. www.artscouncil.org.uk

The Bowes Museum is a member of the Discover Durham partnership of attractions, whose commitment is to promote Durham as an exciting and vibrant group travel destination and to provide the travel trade with a professional and knowledgeable service. discoverdurham.co.uk

Admission to The Bowes Museum is £13.50 for local members (residents of County Durham and Darlington), £15.50 for members (residents elsewhere), £18.00 for a day ticket, £19.80 for a day ticket including gift aid. Under 18s, full time students and carers are free.

As a registered charity (number 1079639) we need to generate more than half of our income each year to care for our historic collection, buildings and parkland. Your donations are vital to our work. Visit https://thebowesmuseum.org.uk/support/ for more information.

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Flora and fauna of The Bowes Museum inspire new artworks

Media release

2 November 2023

FLORA AND FAUNA OF THE BOWES MUSEUM INSPIRE NEW ARTWORKS

The flora and fauna in the collection and grounds of The Bowes Museum have influenced the creation of new artworks which people will be able to enjoy outside the County Durham Museum this autumn and winter.

North East artist Louise Bradley has been commissioned to create new works for the three flagpoles that are on the terrace at the front of the Barnard Castle based Museum.

Her new works feature flowers and leaves that she discovered as she explored the grounds and the collection so she could tell their story through her pieces.

Taking inspiration from Museum co-founder Joséphine Bowes and Mary Eleanor Bowes, grandmother of Museum co-founder John Bowes, who was a keen amateur botanist, Louise investigated the types of plants that William Paterson brought back from his travels to the Cape of Good Hope in the botanical cabinet on show in the collection that was specially made for her studies.

Louise said: “While researching, I was struck by the strength of the women behind The Bowes Museum, namely Mary Eleanor Bowes and Joséphine Bowes. These two are represented in the flags by various flowers and plants as well as the bodice dressmaking pattern shapes that make up the background form of the paintings.”

The Museum’s Director of Programmes and Collections, Vicky Sturrs, said: “We’re a Museum of Artists, Designers and makers, so I’m delighted to be able to ‘fly the flag’ for artists from the North East by creating more opportunities to showcase their work at The Bowes Museum. Louise Bradley is the first artist commissioned for our Flagpole site and her brand new work, Roots and Seeds, responds to our collection and parkland. It references species, people and objects that really ground this work at the Bowes and in our surrounding area. It’s visually stunning and thought-provoking, so really gives visitors a flavour of what to expect inside this inspiring building. Over the next year, we’ll have more commission opportunities available for Artists, Designers and Makers. I’m thrilled to welcome Louise into that as the inaugural commission in this new programme.”

The 3 metre by 1 metre flags featuring irises, protea and honeysuckle among many other flowers and plants are on show in the grounds until 14 April 2024.

Statement regarding name of Winter Market

Contrary to reports, the Museum’s traditionally festive events and activities will be taking place in December for everyone to enjoy. We changed the name of the market because we organise the Museum’s events seasonally – Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter – and we often have more than one market each year. For instance, many of you will have enjoyed our Summer Market last year.

 

We have made changes to our website to highlight the Christmas-related elements of our programme including late-night Christmas shopping for gifts, cards and decorations, themed tours and activities, and the fabulous decorations that will be presented throughout the Museum. At the market, there will be music, carollers, food and, of course, the fantastic wares of traders and artisans from across the region.  Due to gallery redevelopments, we won’t be hosting a Santa’s grotto this year, but there will be plenty of activities for the family to enjoy.

 

Over the past two days, we have received much support along with questions about our programme, but also some comments that were highly emotive. As a charity, inclusivity and safety are important to us as we work closely with our schools and communities to celebrate culture through our collection and activities.

 

The Museum is a vital part of the community, attracting visitors to the region and funds for the local economy. We really appreciate the support of local people and look forward to seeing you soon.

 

Hannah Fox

Executive Director to The Bowes Museum

 

For all press images, filming, photography and media enquiries, please contact our PR & Media Officer, Alison White alison.white@thebowesmuseum.org.uk

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