Derby Museums What's On April- June 2013

DERBY MUSEUMS Museum AND Art Gallery The Strand, Derby DE1 1BS Telephone: 01332 641901

Pickford’s House Museum of Georgian Life and Historic Costume 41 Friar Gate, Derby DE1 1DA Telephone: 01332 715181

OPENING TIMES Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Bank Holidays

Closed 10am - 5pm 10am - 5pm 10am - 5pm 10am - 5pm 10am - 5pm 1pm - 4pm 1pm - 4pm

The Silk Mill Silk Mill Lane, off Full Street, Derby DE1 3AF The Silk Mill is currently closed, opening on an event and activity basis only as we go through a period of planning and development for the future. Please see our website for specific details.

what’s on April- June 2013

Find us on facebook Follow us on twitter @derbymuseums

Derby Museums is supported by

derbymuseums.org

derbymuseums.org

Welcome to our Spring edition of Derby Museums What’s On There’s lots happening throughout April, May and June at Derby Museums.

The FORMAT festival continues to offer five excellent exhibitions; look out for Brian Griffin’s Still Waters and Portraits Home.

We will be featuring the work of new artists as part of two new exhibitions Step Beyond and Enlightenment, from May and June.

Look out for our time themed events and activities to celebrate John Whitehurst’s 300th birthday as part of the TIME 2013 festival, we have walks, talks and lots of other events happening at our museums and across the city.

If you are looking for something to do with the children, we have plenty to do during the Easter holidays see Page 22-23 and lots of activities during the May half term on pages 24-26.

Whatever your interest, take a look inside, there’s plenty to see and do.

Tony Adams Marketing Manager

2

The FORMAT international photography festival

New displays and Installations

The Museum and Art Gallery

Synapse Arts: Joseph Wright of Derby Disorderly Appearances p14

Notes Home Archive Modern Conflict p8 A fascinating collection of holidaying workers postcards from the 19th and 20th Century.

New Exhibition

TUV: to the acid test p10-11

Enlightenment: ideas that changed the world p18-19

Take a look into the intriguing world of product testing laboratory.

Marlane, Poisons factory p12 A potent narrative series of work by this Italian reportage photographer documenting the story of industrial conflict.

Youth Format: Industria p13 Feature Exhibition Still waters p6-7

Beyond One Step p16

Talks

Spring Half Term

Joseph wright and the enlightenment p21 Saturday 22 June from 11am-12 noon

Mini-beasts at the Museum p24 Wednesday 29 May 10am-3pm

John whitehurst p21 Saturday 20 July from 11am-12 noon

Social Media takeaway p17

Walks

Look out for the Time 2013 festival p20

walking with whitehurst – a time- themed walk around the city p21 Saturday 13 April 10.30am-12 noon

Time 2013 – a season of time-themed events Derby university 2nd year Ba students.

The enlightenment in Derby – a guided walk around the city p21 Thursday 6 June 1:30pm-3pm

Trails

The summer solstice – an early-morning guided walk around the city p21 Friday 21 June 7:30am-9am

Time travel Day – experience Derby through the ages p24 Friday 31 May 10am-pm Trails for families p24 · Mouse tail trail · Joseph Wright trail · Pottery number trail challenge Family activities at Pickford’s House Mini-Beast hunt p25 Wednesday 29 May 10am-12 noon and 1pm-3pm Pickford’s house timetravel Day p25 Friday 31st May 10am-12 noon and 1pm-3pm

Under 5’s Fridays The Museum and Art Gallery p26-27 Friday mornings 10am11.30am Term-time only

3

FORMAT FESTIVAL FORMAT13 INTERNATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY FESTIVAL As a key partner in the FORMAT13 INTERNATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY FESTIVAL we are proud to profile five exhibitions at Derby Museums.

FORMAT is one of the UK’s leading international photography festivals and features a host of exhibitions, talks, tours, master classes, special events and participatory projects.

The sixth edition of FORMAT takes place between 8 March and 7 April 2013 throughout Derby and presents the work of artists from around the globe. This year’s festival theme is FACTORY and mass production, and this has been explored literally and creatively in terms of process and the transformation of material, sites of production, products, workers and their lives, documentary and more.

See the full programme here: www.formatfestival.com The festival is directed

by Louise Clements and organised by QUAD in partnership with the University of Derby.

4

5

FORMAT FOCUS Still Waters Brian Griffin Commissioned for FORMAT13 International Photography Festival, by QUAD and Derby Museums 8 March until 2 June Museum and Art Gallery Brian Griffin has had a profound effect on photography in the last 30 years and is described by the British Journal of Photography as ‘the most unpredictable and influential British portrait photographer of the last three decades. He creates works of art that leave the viewer mesmerised’. Renowned for his ingenious approach and flawless craftsmanship, this significant commission of work, by an internationally distinguished photographer, is one of the jewels in the FORMAT13 International Photography Festival.

Brian Griffin’s Still Waters collection expertly uses light and compositional posture to dramatic effect, to create a truly amazing body of portraits of people who have influenced the shape of Derby’s cultural, economic and industrial landscape.

Business leaders, innovators, makers and enlightenment thinkers – figures that Derby Museums’ very own Joseph Wright might have painted were he alive today.

Still Waters is, in part, a visual representation of Derby’s history of creativity, innovation and application.

But although these portraits contain delicate traces of the inspiration Brian took from Derby Museums’ 18th century painting collection, they are unmistakably contemporary in approach; each one containing a disconcerting edge, or Griffins’ signature: a twist of surreal, a dream-like feel, or even something more sinister…

Still Waters Brian Griffin To find out more about Brian Griffin visit www.briangriffin.co.uk

The cinematic qualities evident in Still Waters are heightened by an almost audible narrative between the characters and the now-absent photographer. The solo portraits slowly draw one into the subject’s very personal space and an intimate dialogue ensues; the group compositions provoke a different response; the meticulous placement of the figures results in them emitting a tangible energy, or reveal a sense of tension.

It’s an exhibition not to be missed.

6

7

FORMAT Notes Home Archive of Modern Conflict 8 March - 5 May Museum and Art Gallery For generations of working people in 19th and 20th century Britain, east- coast resorts like Scarborough, Skegness and Mablethorpe were the destination for a hard-won fortnight’s summer holiday. Sea, sun, sand and sex, usually accompanied by a bracing easterly wind, were part of the yearly ritual, dreamed about and saved for in the intervening 50 weeks of labour.

Curated by Timothy Prus and Ed Jones from the renowned Archive of Modern Conflict, this exhibition explores the traditions around and legacies of these English east coast holidays through photography and artefacts from both the AMC and Derby Museums’ Collections.

8

Photo postcards are one of the exhibition’s highlights, and allow us to visualise the places and events they record, and at the same time provide us with insights into the emotional and cultural temperaments of those who sent them; we see how different communities used these seaside locations to coalesce and produce the memories that have come down to us through the generations.

The Archive of Modern Conflict (AMC) is an independent publisher based in London which mostly publishes books with or about photography and art. Established 20 years ago in London, it contains around 4 million photos including works by many well-known figures as well as thousands of unknown photographers.

9

FORMAT EXPOSURE PAUL HILL AWARD TUV: to the acid test Andreas Meichsner 8 March – 5 May Museum and Art Gallery FORMAT EXPOSURE is an open call programme, welcoming submissions from artists from around the globe and giving opportunities to new emerging talents.

Works have been selected by a world-class jury in relation to the festival theme of FACTORY and mass production.

Chosen as the EXPOSURE artist – Paul Hill Award – German photographer Andreas Meichsner has entered the fascinating and little-known world of product testing in his exhibition.

10

TÜV: to the acid test, documenting the employees of TÜV (the German Association for Technical Inspections) as they go about their daily business of testing and certifying the safety, performance and quality of technical equipment and consumer goods in laboratory conditions.

The juxtaposition of the domestic and the laboratory is disorientating and intriguing.

The photographs appear staged, yet the concentration on the faces of the people undertaking the tests shows how serious and committed they are to their jobs. But there is also a playfulness and humour to the images revealed too – come and see this awardwinning exhibition for yourself.

11

FORMAT Industria FORMAT Marlane, Poisons Factory Carmine Cuccuru 8 March to 5 May Museum and Art Gallery A potent narrative series of work by this Italian reportage photographer is situated in one of our transitional spaces.

Marlene, the factory of Praia a Mare, in southern Italy, gave employment to many Italians. However, around 140 workers and their families died from cancerous diseases through illegal exposure to toxic substances such as asbestos, nickel and lead. The factory has now relocated to Eastern Europe leaving behind an additional social problem of unemployment.

Thirteen years ago a trial against the factoryowning Marzotto family began, accusing them of manslaughter and environmental disaster.

The trial is still in progress and seems endless, bound to silence and procedural hitches and leaving affected workers seeking justice.

12

8 March to 5 May Museum and Art Gallery Young people from the Youth Forums at Derby Museum and Quad worked together to create this exhibition in response to the FORMAT 13 theme of ‘Factory’. Their photographic journey tells the story of the changing face of industry in Derby from its architectural legacy as the birthplace of the industrial revolution through to current producers and retailers.

The exhibition is the culmination of a series of workshops through which the young participants engaged with staff, galleries, external practitioners and professional photographers to develop their skills, knowledge, professional practice and curatorial experience.

Derby Museums Youth Forum offers opportunities for young people aged 16 to 24 with an interest in history and the creative arts – email jane@derbymuseums.org to find out more.

13

INSTALLATIONS March- April 2013

Synapse Arts: Joseph Wright of Derby Residency

Interventions

Disorderly Appearances into Derbyshire geology,

Derby University 2nd Year BA Students

Hannah Shaw 12 March to 14 April Museum and Art Gallery Recent graduate Hannah Shaw has been selected as Artist in Residence to respond to the Joseph Wright Collection with a particular focus on science and producing innovative new work.

Hannah Shaw’s practice aims to explore how new social contexts and scientific discoveries redefine objects and aesthetics from the past. Linking themes including Hannah’s research

14

volcanoes both local and distant, and contemporary science – particularly the 2012 discovery of the Higgs Boson – and a careful consideration of the Collection itself, especially Wright’s use of light and colour and focus on a search for new knowledge and understanding, this new work positions the aesthetics of contemporary science within the context of the gallery and the unique work of Joseph Wright of Derby.

30 March to 28 April Museums Second year BA students from the University of Derby provoke humour and reflection with their very personal responses to objects within the Museums’ Collection: at Pickford’s House and Derby Museum and Art Gallery.

This is a collaboration between Derby Museums, Synapse Arts and the University of Derby.

15

NEW Exhibitions May- August 2013

Social Media Takeaway Eleven participating artists

Presented by Bruce Asbestos HD

18 May to 11 August Museum and Art Gallery

18 May to 11 August Museum and Art Gallery

Bursting out of the gallery and spilling onto the stairs and surrounding landings, two of our galleries have been saturated with the work of eleven participating artists; Elisavet Andreou, Paul Holding, Sally French, Carol Harries Wood, Stephen Elvidge, Lauren O’Grady, Weixi Lin, Virginie Weiss, Jackie Macrae, Vasiliki Fragkou and Bruce Asbestos.

Sitting ‘parasitically’ within the Beyond One Step exhibition, we will work with artist Bruce Asbestos to transform Gallery Three into a television recording studio.

Beyond One Step: Edition 9

‘Beyond One Step’, a key fixture in our biannual exhibition programme, acts as a platform for artists emerging from four of the region’s MA Fine Art courses and demonstrates our commitment to supporting work by emerging artists.

This year’s artists have approached themes that are wide and varied and the exhibition showcases the ‘edge’ and innovation that infuses their creative practice.

The group exhibition includes fragile sculptures, assemblages created from borrowed objects, delicate drawings, photography and installation, a diverse mix of process and media designed to visually surprise and ignite a desire to discover more about the artwork and artists.

Please join us here in the gallery on Thursday 6 June, 1-2pm when some of the artists will talk about their work in the exhibition.

16

Within his practice Bruce creates work that exists as short performances or online films, often sliding intrusively into other projects and events. His approach is intrinsically multimedia and collaborative, positioning his artwork firmly in the public domain. This philosophy feeds into, and responds, to the Social Media Takeaway project where the gallery will be used to present an artwork that is in constant, weekly, re-invention.

Social Media Takeaway will be live and active once a week when an episode will be created and filmed in the gallery. The studio will then lay dormant, but for the props and evidence of the event for you to view. The completed episode will be edited retrospectively, with the option of using the ‘green screen’ chroma key technique to change backgrounds and add in sections filmed offsite. The resulting film will be screened simultaneously on line and in the gallery space.

Reminiscent of anarchic television shows such as The Word, each Social Media Takeaway episode will include a menu of guest performers, music, games and contributions via Social Media, all tied together by our inimitable presenter Bruce Asbestos.

17

Enlightenment: Ideas that Changed the World Eleven participating artists 22 June to 25 August Museum and Art Gallery “Look up at the stars and not down at your feet. Try to make sense of what you see. Be curious.” So said Stephen Hawking at the opening ceremony of the Paralympics last year.

This exhibition brings together objects collected over the past three years through the HLF Collecting Cultures project in partnership with Buxton Museum and Art Gallery and Belper Museum.

In the spirit of Hawking, it celebrates and explores the extraordinary period known as ‘The Age of Reason’ or ‘Enlightenment’ in the eighteenth century, a time of curiosity and discovery across many continents and subjects.

Objects as diverse as a salt cellar, a patch box, ceramics, a telescope, minerals, paintings and a cribbage set are woven together to illustrate and explain this vast and fascinating subject.

Contemporary artist Jane Pepper’s assemblages and digital images, based on the Museum’s herbarium collection, are concealed within drawers among the natural history collection.

Visitors will be encouraged to leave their comments and thoughts about this exhibition which is the forerunner for a permanent gallery about The Enlightenment at Pickford’s House Museum.

18

19

TALKS

TALKS AND WALKS Time 2013 – a season of time-themed events

Saturday 22 June from 11am-12 noon Join Lucy Bamford, Keeper of Art at Derby Museums, as she talks about the connections between Joseph Wright and other members of the Lunar Society including John Whitehurst during the exciting age of the Enlightenment.

Time Trail

WALKS

Take part in our ‘Time Trail’ at Derby Museum. Throughout the ‘Time 2013’ season, follow our family-friendly trail around the museum to discover timerelated objects.

JWalking with Whitehurst – a timethemed walk around the city

Suitable for families 50p per child, just drop in

Saturday 13 April 10.30am-12 noon Explore Whitehurst’s legacy and time-related landmarks around the city. The walk will last approximately an hour and a half, beginning and ending at the entrance to Derby Museum and Art Gallery.

Suitable for all Free, no need to book.

20

John Whitehurst

Suitable for adults Free, booking essential as places are limited.

To book, call in to Derby Museum and Art Gallery or telephone 01332 641901

Derby University 2nd Year BA Students This year marks the 300th anniversary – or tercentenary – of the birth of John Whitehurst, Derby clockmaker, geologist and Lunar Society member. In a celebration of Whitehurst’s life and works, organisations all over Derbyshire and beyond are hosting events and activities for a ‘Time 2013’ season. Look out for ‘Time 2013’ events across the city, starting with the performance below.

Joseph Wright and the Enlightenment

Saturday 20 July from 11am-12 noon Jonathan Wallis, Assistant Head of Museums, will be talking about John Whitehurst the Derby clockmaker and scientist, who made significant early contributions to geology.

Suitable for adults Free, booking essential as places are limited.

To book, call in to Derby Museum and Art Gallery or telephone 01332 641901

The Enlightenment in Derby – a guided walk around the city Thursday 6 June 1:30pm-3pm Visit some of the most significant sites of Derby in the enlightenment, such as St Helen’s House, and marvel at the wonderful Georgian architecture. The Walk will last approximately an hour and a half, beginning and ending at the entrance to Derby Museum and Art Gallery.

Suitable for all Free, booking essential as places are limited

The Summer Solstice – an early-morning guided walk around the city Friday 21 June 7:30am-9am Meet us at the entrance to Derby Museum and Art Gallery and join us for a walk on the longest day of the year. Enjoy this special early-morning walk through the city as the sun comes up over Darley Park. Finish at the Terrace café for an optional breakfast or refreshments before returning to the Museum.

Suitable for all no need to book Free but bring money for optional refreshments

21

EASTER HOLIDAYS

PICKFORD’S HOUSE MUSEUM Teddy Bears Wednesday 3 April 10am-12 noon and 1pm-3pm Bring your own teddy and join us to make and decorate a teddy bear with moving arms and legs to take home.

Suitable for families Free, no need to book, just drop in

Museum and Art Gallery 29 March to 14 April

Special Easter Holiday Egg Trail

Make a Rainbow Egg Bookmark

Throughout the Easter Holidays, starting on Friday 29 March.

Friday 5 April 10am-3pm

Please note that the museum is closed on Mondays.

Take part in our egg-citing Easter Egg Trail around the museum. Collect a trail sheet from reception and, when you complete it, staff will award you a chocolate Easter egg prize.

Suitable for families 50p per child

22

Celebrate Easter with us and design and make your very own rainbow Easter egg bookmark.

Suitable for families Free, no need to book, just drop in

Time Lords Wednesday 10 April 10am-3pm

‘Time for Tea’ Tea Party

Take part in time-themed crafts and activities, meet some famous time travellers and help us create a ‘Time Lord’ collage. Don’t forget to have your photograph taken with Dr Who’s arch enemy…. a Dalek!

Thursday 11 April 10am-12 noon and 1pm-3pm

Suitable for families Free, no need to book, just drop in

To celebrate the ‘Time 2013 season’, Joseph Pickford cordially invites you to join him for a ‘Time for Tea’ Tea Party!

Visit our beautiful Georgian house for a cup of tea and other refreshments at our pop up café. Enjoy time-themed crafts and activities to take part in throughout the day.

Suitable for families Free, no need to book, just drop in

23

Spring Half-Term

PICKFORD’S HOUSE MUSEUM Mini-Beast Hunt Wednesday 29 May 10am-12 noon and 1pm-3pm

Museum and Art Gallery 27 May to 2 June

Mini-beasts at the Museum Wednesday 29 May 10am-3pm Find out all about mini-beasts in our Natural History Gallery and make friends with our very own stick insects. Have a go at making your own mini beast to take home!

Suitable for families Free, no need to book, just drop in

Trails for Families Every day during usual opening times Mouse Tail Trail Find the little mice hiding in the 1001 objects gallery. Work out their secret code and collect a prize.

Joseph Wright Trail

Time Travel Day – experience Derby through the ages Friday 31 May 10am-pm Join us on our ‘time travelling’ day of discovery for the ‘Time 2013 season’.

Derby Museums are travelling back in time!

Take part in time-themed crafts and activities.

Meet Vikings, Romans, Egyptians and Knights of Old and talk to medieval archers and fair maidens to find out what life was like long ago.

Suitable for families Free, no need to book, just drop in

24

Find the portraits of famous artist Joseph Wright hidden around the Museum. Work out his secret code and collect a prize.

Pottery Number Trail Challenge Hunt for the pottery animals in our porcelain gallery and see if you can work out the answers to their mathematical puzzles.

Suitable for families 50p per child, pick up a trail sheet from reception

Join us for our popular ‘Mini beast hunt’. Help us find and identify as many insects as you can in our wonderful garden. Then make your own mini-beast to take home.

Suitable for families Free, no need to book, just drop in

Pickford’s House TimeTravel Day Friday 31st May 10am-12 noon and 1pm-3pm As part of our ‘Time 2013’ celebrations join us at Pickford’s House as we travel back to Georgian times.

Meet some Georgian ladies and gentlemen and take part in our wonderful Georgian themed crafts.

Suitable for families Free, no need to book, just drop in

Trails for Families Every day during usual opening times Choose from 10 exciting trails including Number Mice Nursery Rhymes Animal Shadows Bagpuss’s Toy Trail Eye Spy of Objects Name the Rooms Counting Trail Pickford’s House Word Hunt Changing Rooms Trail Dates and Numbers Suitable for families 50p per child, pick up a trail sheet from reception

25

UNDER 5’s fridays Friday mornings 10am11.30am Every Friday morning in term time we host an event for children aged between 2 and 5 years and their parents and carers. It’s a great place to meet, have fun and learn together. With a different theme each week, activities include stories, rhymes, songs, crafts, trails and colouring.

Free, no need to book, just drop in Suitable for children aged between 2 and 5 years.

26

Hickory Dickory Dock!

Soldier, Soldier

Run Rabbit Run

Friday 3 May

Friday 10 May

Friday 7 June

Make time for some fun!

Get close to some real field mice, complete the mouse challenge and make your own Hickory Dickory Clock to take home.

Dress up as a soldier and “stand to attention” in our very own Sentry Box. Make a teddy-bear soldier with moving arms and legs, and see if you can spot our camouflaged creatures.

Rabbits are shy creatures and love to hide. See if you can spy the rabbits hiding in our Galleries. Come and make a “peeking” bunny and your own bunny ears so you can join in the fun.

Time Travel Toys

Birds of a Feather

Summer Flowers

Friday 17 May

Friday 24 May

Friday 28 June

Come and play! Make your own time travel toys to take home, take part in our toy trail, and try out some brilliant toys from long ago.

Make a beautiful bird mask to take home and see how many birds you can spot in our Natural History Gallery.

The sun is shining and the flowers are blooming. Make a beautiful bouquet to give to someone you love. Colour in your favourite flower and take part in our flower-power trail. join in the fun.

Fir Cone Friends

Teddy Time!

Sun and Moon

Friday 26 April

Friday 14 June

Friday 21 June

Spot the animals hiding in our Nature Gallery, and make your own cute fir cone creature to take home!

Bring your own teddy for a teddies tea party. Make a teddy mask, listen to teddy stories, and complete our teddy challenge.try out some brilliant toys from long ago.

Learn about the Sun and Moon, sing some fun songs and take part in some fabulous craft activities.

Museum and Art Gallery St George and the Dragon Friday 19 April Celebrate St. George’s Day with us. Make a St. George’s flag, complete the dragon quest around the Museum and colour in your own dragon to take home.

27

REGULARS The visual poetry of 1001 objects

Portraits from our Collection

January 2012 until January 2014

This dramatic presentation of portraits hangs intensively from floor to ceiling in an intimate gallery space.

The Visual Poetry of 1001 Objects profiles an amazing 1001 objects designed to celebrate the diversity of our collection displaying many objects that previously were hidden away in our stores rarely being seen or showcased.

Using‘material’ as a theme provides the opportunity to show this unexpected range of objects together. The incredible Bronze Age Logboat remains in the centre of the gallery surrounded by a beautifully ‘choreographed’ display of objects made from wood, glass, stone, bone and shell.

You’ll find a creative space in the gallery where you can read about the objects or respond to them imaginatively, a place for you to sit, talk and play, or rest and reflect on your visit.

Some of the depicted characters protrude from the wall as if vying for attention while others calmly wait to be noticed. We are thrilled to share this broad selection of portraits from our historic Collection to illustrate the variety of the genre. From detailed images full of symbolism that offer clues to the sitter’s background, to simple depictions of a loved one’s features.

Joseph Wright of Derby 1734-1797 Joseph Wright (often referred to as ‘Wright of Derby’) was one of the most exciting and innovative artists of the 18th century. Born in Derby in 1734, Wright’s reputation was made by his unique and dramatic series of candle-lit scenes, but his range was diverse and included landscapes and portraits as well as subjects from literature and contemporary history.

Today, Wright’s trademark contrast of striking light and deep shadow is known and loved across the world, and nowhere more so than in his home city of Derby where the largest public collection of his work now resides.

Whether you are a new or returning visitor, Derby Museums invites you to discover this internationally-significant and beautiful collection of paintings and drawings, in the heart of the Museum and Art Gallery.

Please visit our sister museum, Pickford’s House, to see more paintings by Wright, set within the splendour of their original Georgian room surroundings.

28

29

ACTIVITIES FOR ADULTS

coming soon

Write with Derby Museums – Opportunities for people who love to write Derwent Writers This small, friendly creative writing group meets once a month to improve their craft through practice, discussion and critique. Members write poetry, short stories and articles.

Contact Helen on 01332 600553 for more information This season’s sessions are: Thursday 4 April 1pm-3pm Thursday 2 May 1pm-3pm Thursday 6 June 1pm-3pm £2.00 per session

PM Poets The PM Poets group meet once a month to discuss, share and create their poetry. For more information, please contact Ken Hewitt at ken_hewitt@hotmail.co.uk or on 01332 382683. The next sessions are:T uesday 9 April, 1.30pm-3.30pm Tuesday 14 May, 1.30pm-3.30pm Tuesday 11 June, 1.30pm-3.30pm Free

30

A new body of work by painter, Bartholomew Beal Derbyshire Scriptwriters

7 September to 10 November Museum and Art Gallery

Derbyshire Scriptwriters offer members critical feedback on their scripts for screen, stage and radio. We are always open to guests and encourage prospective members to join us for a trail session.

Sunday 7 April, 2pm-4pm Sunday 5 May, 2pm-4pm Sunday 2 June, 2pm-4pm

Currently in production is a series of paintings inspired by the Derwent Valley Mills Heritage Site. Bartholomew Beal, winner of the prestigious Vickers Fine Art Award, is undoubtedly a rising star.

£2.00 membership per month

Wilmorton Poetry Our programme includes talks on poetry and readings, and inspired writing exercises.

Bring your own poetry or just come and listen.

Everyone is welcome – from newcomers to experienced writers. We offer a relaxed and friendly atmosphere for those wishing to join our group.

Sundays except first Sunday of the month from 2.15pm to 3.45pm Free

Beal, whose signature style incorporates the lone figure in the centre of a landscape, has immersed himself in the Derbyshire landscape and its inhabitants. “Each painting begins as a pared down illustration, but there is consistently a tussle in the middle, where the paint takes over. The end result contains evidence of the atmosphere and mood taken from interviewing figureheads of past generations, folk music, photographs and the pile of rousing history filling each of the valleys and mills”.

Defining a Line New sculpture by Denis O’Connor 7 September to 17 November Museum and Art Gallery Denis O’Connor’s new body of work references the notions of ‘home’ and ‘displacement’ and is influenced by 25 years of journeying between his home in Derbyshire and his holiday home in Ireland, the country of his birth.

The steel sculptures incorporate the poetry of contemporary Irish poet

Bernard O’Donoghue and create a tension between the different sculptural forms, communicating opposites such as stable and unstable, comfortable and uncomfortable, real and unreal. Each of these scenarios tries to address notions of belonging, identity and home.

31