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A family enjoying a meal in Cafe Bowes.
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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
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1600 Bowes Mu.
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The Silver Swan
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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.
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
CROWDFUNDING CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED FOR SILVER SWAN RESTORATION
The Bowes Museum is launching an exciting crowdfunding campaign appealing for people to help restore the iconic Silver Swan and be rewarded for their generosity.
Following a grant of £146,324 from The National Heritage Lottery Fund, the County Durham Museum is undertaking conservation and repair on the Silver Swan. However, at least £18,000 more is needed to reach the project target of £199,142.
As such it’s launching a crowdfunding campaign with Art Fund Art Happens. You can help the Museum reach its goal and get your hands on some fabulous exclusive rewards as a thank you.
The crowdfunding campaign will run from 30th October until 6th December and people can give any amount they like. Supporter rewards include a Swan tote bag or t shirt, a set of limited edition Swan postcards and prints, as well as the opportunity to see behind the scenes in a workshop at the restorer’s studio. There is also the opportunity to attend the Swan’s first pblic performance and, for one very lucky person, the chance to wind the Silver Swan when she performs again for the first time.
Kelly Smith, The Bowes Museum’s Director of Development and Communications, said: “This is a really exciting campaign that we’re hoping will touch that sense of pride that people in the community feel towards the Silver Swan. It has a special place in people’s memories, from them remembering their grandparents putting a sixpence in the slot to make it perform to being spellbound by its graceful movements. We are grateful to the Art Fund for helping us to put together this campaign.”
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, 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 explainers on hand to tell them more or answer any questions.
People are able to donate to the crowdfunding campaign by following this link: http://artfund.org/silverswan or by contacting the Museum on 01833 690606.
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Fish and glass rods of the Silver Swan automaton
The Silver Swan
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Celebrate the exquisite Taste of Teesdale with an extra special evening menu in Café Bowes designed to highlight the very best of local produce.
The Bowes Museum’s chefs have devised a fantastic menu that showcases the flavours of the Dale to tantalise the tastebuds at two sittings on Friday, 29 September at 6.30pm and 8pm.
This is a unique opportunity for people to savour a feast of delights with appetisers over two sumptuous courses in the relaxed surroundings of Cafe Bowes, with beautiful views of the surrounding Teesdale countryside.
With suppliers including William Peat Butchers, Teesdale Cheesemakers and Wensleydale Eggs among many others, it promises to be a celebration of different food from the Barnard Castle area.
The menu includes a choice of mains from: slow roast shoulder of Teesdale lamb, Cotherstone cheese dauphinois potatoes, savoy cabbage and rich gravy; Grilled fillet of stone bass with pomme purée and wild mushroom sauce with samphire and root vegetable wellington, celeriac purée and wild mushroom sauce.
Diners can enjoy a delicious range of desserts from: heather honey panna cotta, roast autumn fruit and oat granola and a local cheese board, chutney and homemade oat cakes.
Tickets are £25 per person and are available on the Museum’s website: thebowesmuseum.org.uk or by calling 01833 690606.
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Heritage Open Day storage vault tour
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Classical music fans can experience a night to remember as the internationally acclaimed cellist Mischa Maisky performs in a rare UK appearance at an intimate concert at The Bowes Museum this summer.
In his only UK date this year, the celebrated classical musician will be playing a special one-off performance at the Barnard Castle based Museum on Saturday, 8 July.
Concert goers will be able to enjoy a mixed programme of works, including: Johann Sebastian Bach’s Sonata in G minor (3 movements); Johann Sebastian Bach’s Cello Solo Suite No 1 in G major; Bach’s Prélude and Fugue; Sergei Rachmaninov’s Romance ‘Sing not to me, Beautiful Maiden’ Op. 4 No 4; Myroslav Skoryk’s Melody, Manuel de Falla’s Ritual Fire Dance and the Catalan Folk Song ‘Song of the Birds’.
A regular guest at major international festivals, Maisky has been enthusiastically received in London, Paris, Berlin, Vienna, New York and Tokyo. He has made over 40 recordings with such orchestras as the Vienna, Berlin and Israel Philharmonics, the London Symphony Orchestra, L’Orchestre de Paris, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra of Europe and others.
Born in Latvia, educated in Russia and now living in Israel, he is the only cellist to have studied with both Mstislav Rostropovich and Gregor Piatigorsky, who are revered as two of the greatest cellists ever. Rostropovich stated that Maisky’s “playing combines poetry and exquisite delicacy with great temperament and brilliant technique.”
He has collaborated with numerous conductors including Leonard Bernstein, Daniel Barenboim and Carlo Maria Giulini; and enjoyed musician partnerships with artists including Lang Land, Joshua Bell and Anne-Sophie Mutter to name just a few.
As an exclusive Deutsche Grammophon artist for more than 30 years, his recordings have enjoyed worldwide critical acclaim and have been awarded the prestigious Record Academy Prize in Tokyo five times and the Echo Deutscher Schallplattenpreis three times, as well as the Grand Prix du Disque in Paris and the Diapason d’Or of the Year, as well as receiving several coveted Grammy nominations.
His long and illustrious career has brought Maisky many honours and awards, including Honorary Membership of the Royal Academy of Music.
For his performance at The Bowes Museum, he will be accompanied by his son, Maximilian, a Belgian-Italian pianist, who was born in 2004 and made his debut in Japan playing in Suntory Hall with his father in October 2022. He is a student of Hagit Hassid-Kerbel and attends regular masterclasses with Jacques Rouvier. He has been accepted to study at the Royal College of Music in London from September.
Tickets for the special one hour concert at The Bowes Museum are £20 for adults and £12.50 for under 18s. They are only available from the Museum website: thebowesmuseum.org.uk or by calling 01833 690606. The performance on Saturday, 8 July starts at 6.30pm, capacity is limited so early booking is strongly recommended.
Picture credit: Mischa Maisky © Bernard Rosenberg
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1570 Bowes Museum
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The Silver Swan
For all press images, filming, photography and media enquiries, please contact our PR & Media Officer, Alison White alison.white@thebowesmuseum.org.uk