Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage Exhibitions and Events Brochure

WOLVERHAMPTON ARTS & HERITAGE EXHIBITIONS & EVENTS SEPTEMBER – DECEMBER 2015

WOLVERHAMPTON ART GALLERY

BANTOCK HOUSE MUSEUM

BILSTON CRAFT GALLERY

WOLVERHAMPTON CITY ARCHIVES

FREE

FREE ENTRY

Special Places Great Ideas

DONATIONS WELCOME

Please note the City Archives will be closed 1 – 14 December for stocktaking.

WOLVERHAMPTON ART GALLERY

BANTOCK HOUSE, PARK & MUSEUM

BILSTON CRAFT GALLERY

FINCHFIELD ROAD, WOLVERHAMPTON WV3 9LQ

MOUNT PLEASANT, BILSTON WV14 7LU

T: 01902 552055 E: ARTGALLERY@ WOLVERHAMPTON.GOV.UK

T: 01902 552195 E: BANTOCKHOUSE@ WOLVERHAMPTON.GOV.UK

T: 01902 552507 E: BILSTONCRAFTGALLERY@ WOLVERHAMPTON.GOV.UK

OPEN MON – SAT 10AM – 5PM

WINTER OPENING (NOVEMBER TO MARCH) TUE – SUN 12PM – 4PM

With its family friendly displays, the Art Gallery welcomes visitors to explore 300 years of art, from Georgian paintings and Pop Art to thought provoking contemporary pieces.

SUMMER OPENING (APRIL TO OCTOBER) TUE – SUN 11AM – 5PM

OPEN TUE 10AM – 4PM WED 10AM – 7PM THU 10AM – 4PM FRI 10AM – 1PM SAT 11AM – 4PM

LICHFIELD STREET, WOLVERHAMPTON WV1 1DU

From Gainsborough to Warhol and Butler Bayliss to Blake see a wide range of renowned artists’ work on display.

Relax in the laid–back setting of the Art Gallery café, with its delicious menu, ranges of speciality loose–leaf teas and fresh coffee.

Discover a treasure trove of crafts, cards and jewellery in the gallery shop.

We are a great free family day out – somewhere the young, old and those sandwiched in between can discover our glorious restored Edwardian house, explore 48 acres of parkland, find some peace and quiet in our formal gardens, burn off energy in our large play area or just enjoy a lovely lunch in our super café.

Holding a meeting? Celebrating a birthday, anniversary or even Christmas? Hire our rooms and browse our events at www.bantockhouse.co.uk

@wolvartgallery /wolverhamptonartgallery

@bantockhouse /bantockhousemuseum

Bilston Craft Gallery’s changing exhibitions show the best of contemporary ceramics, textiles, glass, metal and much more.

Visitors of all ages can get hands–on through varied family friendly and adult events and workshops.

Find a unique gift or card from the handmade ranges in the shop. Self–service drinks are available and a picnic can be ordered in advance of your visit to enjoy in the garden. @bilstoncraftgal /bilstoncraftgallery

WOLVERHAMPTON CITY ARCHIVES

MOLINEUX HOTEL BUILDING, WHITMORE HILL WOLVERHAMPTON WV1 1SF T: 01902 552480 E: ARCHIVES@ WOLVERHAMPTON.GOV.UK OPEN TUE 10AM – 4PM WED 10AM – 7PM THU 10AM – 4PM Based in the city’s historic Molineux Hotel, the friendly team at City Archives can help you research your interests in local and family history.

Within the building you will find displays telling stories of Wolverhampton’s past and search rooms with staff on hand to help.

A state–of–the–art storage facility holds a fascinating collection of documents, photographs and other materials relating to the history of the city. @wolvesarchives /wolvesarchives

CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR OPENING TIMES WOLVERHAMPTON ART GALLERY 24 DECEMBER 10AM – 1PM 25 & 26 DECEMBER CLOSED 31 DECEMBER 10AM – 1PM 1 JANUARY CLOSED 2

BANTOCK HOUSE MUSEUM

24 DECEMBER CLOSED 25, 26 & 27 DECEMBER CLOSED 31 DECEMBER CLOSED 1 JANUARY CLOSED

BILSTON CRAFT GALLERY 24 DECEMBER 10AM – 1PM 25 & 26 DECEMBER CLOSED 31 DECEMBER 10AM – 1PM 1 JANUARY CLOSED

WOLVERHAMPTON CITY ARCHIVES 24 DECEMBER CLOSED 25 – 31 DECEMBER CLOSED 1 JANUARY CLOSED

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EXHIBITIONS WOLVERHAMPTONART.ORG.UK

5 NESTS BY CRAFTPLAY ART GALLERY UNTIL 31 OCTOBER 2015 Discover a special woodland space this Summer and Autumn at Wolverhampton Art Gallery, created just for 0-2 year olds.

Nestle, play and investigate the five nests and relax with other families beneath the white tree. Explore your senses and be inspired.

Toddlers can clamber amongst the giant twigs or discover the den while babies can explore the sensory baskets – ask at Reception for one of these which are packed with items that encourage children to touch, listen and smell.

The 5 Nests space has been designed by Craftplay, Wolverhampton’s creative early years specialists based at Bilston Craft Gallery. Craftplay is an award-winning early years project for 0-5 year olds inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach to creative play.

RE–MAKING THE PAST: SIX CONTEMPORARY MAKERS RESPOND TO PREHISTORY BILSTON GALLERY UNTIL 31 OCTOBER 2015 Discover exciting new contemporary craft that explores the art and archaeology of our ancient past. The show brings together six artists who have carried out extensive research into the lives and creativity of our Neolithic ancestors and created new work in textiles, clay, metal, glass and more. The skilled craft of these established makers explores evocative themes of ancient materials and techniques, journeys, and the human history embedded in our landscape.

A touring show by Devon Guild of Craftsmen, curated by Saffron Wynne and Susan Kinley. Ðropped – History in the Breaking by Syann van Niftrik in collaboration with Zan Barberton, Jonathan Garratt and Lorraine Mepham

HIROSHIGE’S JAPAN: 53 STATIONS OF THE TŌKAIDŌ ROAD ART GALLERY

OF TIME AND THE RAILWAY

BY ROBERT DAVIES ART GALLERY

UNTIL 21 NOVEMBER 2015

26 SEPTEMBER – 5 DECEMBER 2015

Utagawa Hiroshige (1797–1858) is one of the great masters of the Japanese landscape print and his most famous series is the Fifty–three Stages of the Tōkaidō Road. First published in 1833, the series depicts views along Japan’s major highway and is full of fascinating insights into the journey between the great Japanese cities of Edo and Kyoto.

This film follows the railway journey between Birmingham and Aberystwyth over the course of a day. Filmed from the drivers’ cab of the train it reveals the changing human geography of the industrial and farming landscape alongside the changing seasons.

Utagawa Hiroshige, Hara, 1840–2.

Image © The Ashmolean Museum Oxford

It starts as the train enters Birmingham on a winters’ night, passes through the Black Country and Shropshire in the morning, as spring arrives, and reaches Shrewsbury around midday. In summer the train glides through the Welsh marches to Welshpool and as autumn descends it heads towards the mountains. It passes through the snow and ice of winter as it meanders down towards Machynlleth and the Dyfi estuary to Borth and reaches Aberystwyth in the early evening.

Still Image from ‘Of Time and the Railway’ (2015)

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EXHIBITIONS [CONTINUED]

THIS IS NOT A JOKE ART GALLERY 26 SEPTEMBER 2015 – 16 JANUARY 2016 Humour has been used throughout history by artists as an effective engaging tool as it can equally reflect upon the human conditions and challenge authority.

This is Not a Joke looks at how contemporary artists such as Andrea Fraser, David Shrigley, John Wood and Paul Harrison use different facets of humour encompassing the absurd, deadpan, slapstick, word play and irony to challenge and defy conventions, expectations and power structures.

Laure Prouvost Ideally Here Would Be the Door to the Basement, 2011 Courtesy of the artist and MOT International

WOLVERHAMPTON SOCIETY OF ARTISTS ART GALLERY

SOUND MATTERS; EXPLORING CRAFT AND SOUND ART GALLERY

A BIG BANG: THE ORIGINS OF THE POP ART COLLECTION Part 2 ART GALLERY

24 OCTOBER – 27 FEBRUARY 2016

14 NOVEMBER 2015 – 6 FEBRUARY 2016

5 DECEMBER 2015 – 13 AUGUST 2016

The popular Wolverhampton Society of Artists biennial exhibition returns to the Gallery with a diverse range of styles, mediums and subject matter. Founded in 1884 the Society has continued to grow and evolve throughout the years and today it is a respected and strongly supported part of the city of Wolverhampton‘s artistic scene.

Sound Matters considers the connections between craft and sound art through seven contemporary works from a range of creative disciplines.

The second of a two–part display exploring the reason why artworks by some of the biggest names in Pop Art found their home at Wolverhampton Art Gallery.

Each work demonstrates a different approach: looking to traditional craft heritage and processes such as weaving and woodturning to create new sound forms, playing with shared technologies and language and revealing the sounds of materials.

Following on from the success of A Big Bang 1 in 2013/14, this exhibition features works which came into the collection in the later 1960s and 70s when the Pop movement was getting into full swing. Works by British and American ‘stars’ such as Eduardo Paolozzi, Patrick Caulfield, Peter Blake, Clive Barker, Richard Hamilton, Joe Tilson, Allen Jones and Andy Warhol are all on show, along with press cuttings expressing the reaction of the local media at a time when Pop Art was still considered to be new and controversial in the provinces.

The show is a chance for members to showcase new work, much of which is for sale during the exhibition period. Find out more about the Society and how you can become a member by visiting their website at www.wsa–artists.com Artists Demonstrations: On various Saturdays throughout the exhibition local artists will show how their work is created, see website for further details.

Sound Matters is a Crafts Council touring exhibition.

9 Volt Speaker, Owl Project, 2011. Photo Nick Moss

Richard Hamilton, Adonis in Y–Fronts, 1963.

Collection of Wolverhampton Art Gallery ® R. Hamilton. All Rights Reserved, DACS 2015.

Brian Stevenson 2CV–Gers–France, 2015, Gouache on Toned paper

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PERMANENT DISPLAYS WOLVERHAMPTONART.ORG.UK

THE GEORGIAN GALLERY ART GALLERY

CRAFTSENSE BILSTON GALLERY

THE LADY’S BEDROOM & NURSERY BANTOCK HOUSE

Explore 300 years of craft through fine historic examples of applied arts produced in the Black Country, including the famous Bilston enamels. Compare these with current skill and innovation in exciting contemporary

craft objects, many of which you can touch.

New this autumn is a selection of items from our handling collection, selected by staff, volunteers, and friends of the Gallery.

Two delightful room displays explore the lives of Victorian children, and the changing role of women and their experiences in Victorian Wolverhampton. See the famous doll collection and try on a corset!

THE DRAWING ROOM BANTOCK HOUSE

THE VICTORIAN GALLERY ART GALLERY Discover Wolverhampton’s collection of Victorian decorative objects and artworks in a two–room display. Learn about the fascinating world of the Victorians and their passion for eastern–influenced design.

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In the sumptuous surroundings of the Georgian gallery you will find grand paintings from the period alongside interactive exhibits that provide a hands–on look at key themes of the day, offering a flavour of life in the 18th century.

THE BILLIARD ROOM BANTOCK HOUSE Baldwin Bantock’s original billiard room has been recreated to offer an interactive look at the lives of six great men from Victorian Wolverhampton. Find out more about the skills, trades and people that made Wolverhampton famous.

SENSING SCULPTURE ART GALLERY Sensing Sculpture is a landmark gallery which encourages you to get hands–on with traditional and contemporary sculptures of different sizes and materials. Re–opened in 2013 following major refurbishment, the display features activity stations, audio points and poems inspired by the works on show.

See items from the Bantock family’s own collection, including beautiful pieces of English porcelain. Experience the rooms as they would have been when the Bantock family occupied the house 100 years ago.

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ART EVENTS WOLVERHAMPTONART.ORG.UK

ARTFORUM GOLD CLUB ART GALLERY

LOOKING AT ART: A BEGINNERS’ COURSE ART GALLERY

WRITING CREATIVELY ABOUT ART ART GALLERY

MEET ME @WAG ART GALLERY

EVERY FIRST AND THIRD WEDNESDAY OF THE MONTH

THURSDAYS, 24 SEPTEMBER – 3 DECEMBER 1PM – 3PM

THURSDAYS, 24 SEPTEMBER – 3 DECEMBER. 10AM – 12PM

LAST WEDNESDAY OF THE MONTH

2 & 16 SEPTEMBER, 7 & 21 OCTOBER 4 & 18 NOVEMBER, 2 & 16 DECEMBER 4.30PM – 6.30PM

SATURDAYS, 26 SEPTEMBER – 5 DECEMBER 11AM – 1PM

Our free sessions for young people aged 14– 25 offer the chance to work with practising artists, experiment with new art techniques and learn about careers in galleries, museums and archives. You can also work towards your Arts Award. We currently offer Bronze and Gold Arts Award. The Gold Award is worth up to 35 UCAS points.

Suitable for ages 14–25 For more information about ArtForum Gold, please contact 01902 552033 or e-mail artforum@wolverhampton.gov.uk

Explore, look at and discuss art across four Birmingham and Black Country galleries in this 10 week course, in partnership with Wolverhampton Adult Education Service. It is suitable for adult learners of all ages with no previous art knowledge. £72, concessionary rates available, suitable for ages 18+ To book, please call 01902 558180 or visit www.aes.wolverhampton.gov.uk Enrolment forms will also be available here at the gallery.

Explore creative writing for pleasure and self–expression, taking inspiration from Wolverhampton Art Gallery’s world–class collections and exhibitions.

Each session will involve some guided writing exercises, encouragement to edit and develop work, and to share it, as well as time to do some free writing in response to areas of interest in the Gallery. The creative writing experience will be enriched with some creative visual work as well as input from gallery staff.

30 SEPTEMBER, 28 OCTOBER 25 NOVEMBER. 11AM – 12PM Regular conversation club for people aged 50 years and over, offering a chance to relax and enjoy a good chat about the topic of the month, supported by objects from the handling and reminiscence collections.

You’ll find plenty to chat about at our conversation club, but if you just want to listen that’s fine too.

A different topic each month.

Suitable for ages 50+

£72, concessionary rates available To book, please call 01902 558180 or visit www.aes.wolverhampton.gov.uk to book Enrolment forms will also be available here at the gallery. Suitable for ages 18+

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ART EVENTS

CRAFT EVENTS

WOLVERHAMPTONART.ORG.UK

WOLVERHAMPTONART.ORG.UK

CREATE A KEEPSAKE – ‘A PERSONAL ARCHAEOLOGY’ BILSTON GALLERY SATURDAY 26 SEPTEMBER 11AM – 4PM Work with Re–making the Past exhibitor and co–curator Susan Kinley to create a unique cover for a special box or album by layering handmade papers with fabric, photographs, buttons, sea glass and other found objects.

Create a sense of history by building up and revealing images and fragments. All materials are provided but participants are invited to bring papers, photographs, scraps of fabric and other collage materials personal to them.

HIROSHIGE’S JAPAN: CURATOR TALK ART GALLERY FRIDAY 9 OCTOBER 2PM – 3PM Join Dr Clare Pollard, curator of Japanese Art at the Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology, Oxford, as

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she offers a fascinating insight into the work of the 19th century master printmaker Utagawa Hiroshige. The talk accompanies the exhibition Hiroshige’s Japan: 53 Stations of the Tōkaidō Road, which is on tour to Wolverhampton Art Gallery until 21 November.

£3, booking essential. visit www.wolvescivic.co.uk/-/mboevents to book your place.

£27, suitable for ages 16+. Booking Required: www.bookwhen.com/HX49T

EXPLORING ENAMELS BILSTON GALLERY SATURDAY 10 OCTOBER 11AM – 3PM Create a modern enamel inspired by traditional processes with local maker John Grayson who has recently produced new pieces inspired by the City’s Georgian enamel collection. You will use thin copper foils to create your own metal form, enamel with wet processes enamel, embellish to your own design using transfers and painting enamel, and complete to make a wearable object you can take away. £28, suitable for ages 16+. Booking Required: www.bookwhen.com/HX49T

Utagawa Hiroshige, Sunrise at Shinagawa, 1833–4. Image © The Ashmolean Museum Oxford

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LOCAL HISTORY WOLVERHAMPTONART.ORG.UK

JOSEPH HIGHMORE’S LEE FAMILY ART GALLERY FRIDAY 2 OCTOBER 2PM – 3PM A special talk by London based art historian and author Dr Jacqueline Riding on one of Wolverhampton Art Gallery’s most important paintings.

Joseph Highmore’s 1736 work ‘The Family of Eldred Lancelot Lee’ (currently in our Georgian Gallery) shows a mother surrounded by her eleven children. The Lees were a well– connected local family with links to William the Conqueror and Robert E. Lee. Jacqueline will present the results of her recent research and ideas around the creation and meaning of the painting.

Places are limited – please arrive early to avoid disappointment.

Family of E. L. Lee by Joseph Highmore

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THE GEOLOGICAL HEARTLAND: GLOBAL RECOGNITION FOR THE BLACK COUNTRY? BANTOCK HOUSE TUESDAY 6 OCTOBER 12.30PM – 1.30PM A talk by museum curator Graham Worton on the bid by Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton to make the Black Country an internationally recognised Geopark.

Graham, who is Curator and Keeper of Geology at Dudley Museums, explains how the area contains some of the most important sites of mineral and fossil deposits in the world and that they should be protected and promoted.

Places are limited – please arrive early to avoid disappointment.

Graham Worton explores one of the Black Country’s geological attractions, ‘The Singing Cavern’

FROM WINDRUSH TO GRIME ART GALLERY SATURDAY 10 OCTOBER 2PM – 3PM A free talk by cultural historian Patrick Vernon OBE. Since the 1940s the people who came from the Caribbean as part of ‘the Windrush generation’ have made a vital impact on the economic, cultural and political life of Wolverhampton, Bilston and the surrounding area.

BILSTON, EVEREST & THE ABOMINABLE SNOWMAN CITY ARCHIVES WEDNESDAY 14 OCTOBER 5PM – 6PM A free talk by community historian Greig Campbell.

Charles Howard–Bury, a former prisoner of war, world renowned botanist and explorer, was Conservative MP for Bilston in the 1920s.

Patrick will be giving an overview of the legacy of the Caribbean, and in particular Jamaican community in the city, important milestones in its development, and its lasting contribution to the area.

He was one of the first ‘western’ explorers to traverse what is now Eurasia, and led the 1921 ‘British Mount Everest reconnaissance expedition’ mapping out routes which were later to be used to conquer the peak. The trip was also to lead to coining of the term ‘abominable snowman’.

To book a place please call 01902 552055.

To book a place please call 01902 552055.

© Nick Hedges, Courtesy of Wolverhampton Archives & Local Studies.

Members of the 1921 Everest Expedition, including Charles Howard-Bury

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Plus all our regular activities – For more details on each of our events, turn to the appropriate page or go online: www.wolverhamptonart.org.uk

EVENTS AT A GLANCE WOLVERHAMPTONART.ORG.UK

NOVEMBER

OCTOBER Every Tuesday Every Wednesday Every Saturday 1 Oct 1 Oct 2 Oct 3 Oct 3 Oct 6 Oct 7 Oct 8 Oct 8 Oct 9 Oct 10 Oct 10 Oct 10 Oct 14 Oct 15 Oct 15 Oct 16 Oct 17 Oct 17 Oct 17 Oct 21 Oct 22 Oct 22 Oct 24 Oct 26 Oct 27 Oct 27 Oct 28 Oct 28 Oct 29 Oct 29 Oct 29 Oct 29 Oct 30 Oct 31 Oct

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Craftplay Explorers Craftplay Little Explorers Young Artists Writing Creatively About Art Looking at Art: A Beginners’ Course Joseph Highmore’s Lee Family Looking at Art: A Beginners’ Course Craftplay Saturday Stay and Play The Geological Heartland: Global Recognition for the Black Country?

Artforum Gold Club Writing Creatively About Art Looking at Art: A Beginners’ Course Hiroshige’s Japan: Curator Talk Looking at Art: A Beginners’ Course Exploring Enamels From Windrush to Grime Bilston, Everest & The Abominable Snowman Looking at Art: A Beginners’ Course Writing Creatively About Art Dickens and Wolverhampton Looking at Art: A Beginners’ Course Wolverhampton Young Writers Group Craftplay Saturday Stay and Play Artforum Gold Club Looking at Art: A Beginners’ Course Writing Creatively About Art Looking at Art: A Beginners’ Course Halloween Hats & Masks Halloween Party Woven and Felted Treasure Bags Meet Me @Wag Engraved Bookmarks Looking at Art: A Beginners’ Course Writing Creatively About Art Spooky Ghost Fun Craftplay Halloween Goops and Gunks Japanese Family Fun Day Looking at Art: A Beginners’ Course

10AM & 1.30PM 10AM 11AM & 1.30PM 10AM 1PM 2PM 11AM 11AM & 1.30PM 12.30PM

Bilston Gallery Bilston Gallery Art Gallery Art Gallery Art Gallery Art Gallery Art Gallery Bilston Gallery Bantock House

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Art Gallery Art Gallery Art Gallery Art Gallery Art Gallery Bilston Gallery Art Gallery City Archives

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1PM 10AM 2PM 11AM 1.30PM 11AM & 1.30PM 4.30PM 1PM 10AM 11AM 1PM 10.30AM & 1PM 11AM & 1.30PM 11AM 11AM & 1.30PM 1PM 10AM 10.30AM & 1PM 10.30AM & 1.30PM 11AM 11AM

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Every Tuesday Every Wednesday Every Saturday 3 Nov 4 Nov 5 Nov 5 Nov 7 Nov 7 Nov 11 Nov 12 Nov 12 Nov 14 Nov 14 Nov 18 Nov 19 Nov 20 Nov 21 Nov 21 Nov 25 Nov 25 Nov 26 Nov 26 Nov 28 Nov 28 Nov

Craftplay Explorers Craftplay Little Explorers Young Artists A Victorian’s Obsession Artforum Gold Club Looking at Art: A Beginners’ Course Writing Creatively About Art Looking at Art: A Beginners’ Course Craftplay Saturday Stay and Play A free talk by local writer Anne-Marie Vukelic Looking at Art: A Beginners’ Course Writing Creatively About Art Wolverhampton Local History Fair Looking at Art: A Beginners’ Course Artforum Gold Club Writing Creatively About Art Local History Talk Looking at Art: A Beginners’ Course Craftplay Festive Saturday - Glitterfest Meet Me @Wag Wolverhampton Christmas Lights Switch On Looking at Art: A Beginners’ Course Writing Creatively About Art Looking at Art: A Beginners’ Course Wolverhampton Young Writers Group

10AM & 1.30PM 10AM 11AM & 1.30PM 12.30PM 4.30PM 1PM 10AM 11AM 11AM & 1.30PM 5PM 1PM 10AM 10AM 11AM 4.30PM 10AM 2PM 11AM 11AM & 1.30PM 11AM 5PM 1PM 10AM 11AM 1.30PM

Bilston Gallery Bilston Gallery Art Gallery Bantock House Art Gallery Art Gallery Art Gallery Art Gallery Bilston Gallery City Archives Art Gallery Art Gallery City Archives Art Gallery Art Gallery Art Gallery Art Gallery Art Gallery Bilston Gallery Art Gallery Art Gallery Art Gallery Art Gallery Art Gallery Art Gallery

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10AM & 1.30PM 10AM 12:30PM 10AM 1PM 11AM 11AM & 1.30PM 11AM & 3PM 11AM & 1.30PM 5PM 2PM 1.30PM 11AM & 1.30PM

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DECEMBER Every Tuesday Every Wednesday 1 Dec 3 Dec 3 Dec 5 Dec 5 Dec 5 Dec 12 Dec 16 Dec 18 Dec 19 Dec 19 Dec

Craftplay Explorers Craftplay Little Explorers Local History Talk Writing Creatively About Art Looking at Art: Beginner’s Course Looking at Art: Beginner’s Course Young Artists Craftplay Festive Saturday Young Artists Local History Talk Local History Talk Wolverhampton Young Writers’ Group Craftplay Saturdays: Stay and Play

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LOCAL HISTORY WOLVERHAMPTONART.ORG.UK

UNSEEN VICTORIAN WOLVERHAMPTON: THE TOWNSCAPE OF 140 YEARS AGO BANTOCK HOUSE TUESDAY 3 NOVEMBER 12.30PM – 1.30PM A talk by Norm Keech on his research into the efforts by a local businessman to record the landscape he knew in the late 1800s before it disappeared.

DICKENS AND WOLVERHAMPTON ART GALLERY FRIDAY 16 OCTOBER 2PM – 3PM

CITY ARCHIVES

WEDNESDAY 11 NOVEMBER 5PM – 6PM A free talk by local writer Anne–Marie Vukelic.

By the time Charles Dickens had reached the end of his twenties he was seen by many in the way we view a rock or pop star today.

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By then he had already written The Old Curiosity Shop, much of which is set in and around Wolverhampton. But how did he come to write about the Midlands?

Anne–Marie explores how well the 19th century writer knew the region and how it might have influenced the novels which brought him such fame.

In 1875 a new law, ‘The Artisans’ and Labourers’ ‘Dwellings Act’, put pressure on public authorities in Wolverhampton to improve and regenerate the town. One result was the creation of what we now know as Lichfield Street. Using previously unseen photographs and paintings, Norm explores how the town looked as the change happened.

WOLVERHAMPTON LOCAL HISTORY FAIR CITY ARCHIVES SATURDAY 14 NOVEMBER 10AM – 4PM Explore Wolverhampton’s fascinating past at our sixth annual Local History Fair.

Local history and heritage societies and expert historians from across the Black Country will be exhibiting their work and on hand to talk to visitors. Children can also meet Queen Victoria and hear all about her trip to Wolverhampton in our interactive storytelling sessions throughout the day. £2 per adult, £1 per child. No booking required.

Princes Square, Wolverhampton in the 1930s.

Courtesy of Wolverhampton Archives and Local Studies

Places are limited – please arrive early to avoid disappointment.

Old Horsefair looking towards North Street

Places are limited – please arrive early to avoid disappointment.

A young Charles Dickens in 1839, painted by Daniel Maclise; © National Portrait Gallery

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FAMILY EVENTS WOLVERHAMPTONART.ORG.UK

CRAFTPLAY BILSTON GALLERY Craftplay is a unique, award–winning, creative play space.

Come along to one of our friendly sessions to explore, make and play with your family.

We also run creative sessions for groups and schools including our new hands on Outdoor Discovery Sessions exploring craft and nature in our special outdoor space. Please call or email Bilston Craft Gallery for details or to book.

YOUNG ARTISTS ART GALLERY EVERY SATURDAY 5, 12, 19, 26 SEPTEMBER 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 OCTOBER 7, 14, 21, 28 NOVEMBER 5 & 12 DECEMBER 11AM – 12.30PM (4 – 8 years) 1.30PM – 3PM (8+ years)

CRAFTPLAY LITTLE EXPLORERS BILSTON GALLERY

CRAFTPLAY EXPLORERS BILSTON GALLERY

CRAFTPLAY SATURDAYS: STAY AND PLAY BILSTON GALLERY

EVERY WEDNESDAY 10AM – 11.30AM

EVERY TUESDAY 10AM – 11.30AM & 1.30PM – 3PM

FIRST & THIRD SATURDAY OF THE MONTH 11AM – 12.30PM & 1.30PM – 3PM*

Explore your senses in our weekly Little Explorer sessions for children and babies up to 2 years. Feel, play and discover with your child in our friendly relaxed sessions and meet new families and friends. £3 per child, discounts apply to second siblings and children under 6 months. Suitable for ages 0–2

Become a Craftplay Explorer!

Join our regular stay–and– play groups to discover, play and create with your child. £3 per child, discounts apply to second siblings and children under 6 months. Suitable for ages 0–5

Create, explore and play with your child using unusual materials in our inspiring space. Meet other families and get lots of easy, low–cost ideas to try out at home. *no sessions on 19 December and 2 January. Special festive sessions on 21 November and 5 December, see listings below. £3 per child, booking required. www.bookwhen.com/HX49T Suitable for ages 0–7

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Calling all Young Artists! Join us every Saturday to make your own unique artwork with a practising artist using professional artists’ materials and techniques!

Learn new drawing, painting, printing and sculpture skills in our weekly sessions.

Each week we focus on a different artwork or theme from the collection and sessions will be led by a professional artist. £3 per child.

Suitable for ages 4–13 years.

Visit www.wolvescivic.co.uk/-/mboevents to book your place.

WOLVERHAMPTON YOUNG WRITERS’ GROUP ART GALLERY

HALLOWEEN HATS & MASKS ART GALLERY

SELECTED SATURDAYS 26 SEPTEMBER, 17 OCTOBER 28 NOVEMBER, 19 DECEMBER 1.30PM – 3.30PM

MONDAY 26 OCTOBER 2015 1PM – 2.30PM

Writing West Midlands present a creative writing group for young writers aged 12–16 once a month on Saturdays at the Art Gallery. Led by professional writer Elisabeth Charis, the group will look at all sorts of creative writing to inspire creativity, expression and confidence in young people and is an opportunity to make new friends. £5 per child.

Suitable for ages 12–16 years.

To book and for more information visit www.writingwestmidlands.org or email: joanne@writingwestmidlands.org

Get ready for Halloween and make your own spooky Halloween hats and masks. £3 per child, Suitable for ages 4–12. www.wolvescivic.co.uk/-/mbo-events

HALLOWEEN PARTY ART GALLERY TUESDAY 27 OCTOBER 10.30AM – 12PM & 1PM – 2.30PM Join us for spooky Halloween fun and lots of activities – dress scarily to impress! £3 per child, suitable for ages 4–12. www.wolvescivic.co.uk/-/mbo-events

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FAMILY EVENTS [ALL SESSIONS SUITABLE FOR 4–12 YEARS UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED]

WOVEN AND FELTED TREASURE BAGS BILSTON GALLERY

ENGRAVED BOOKMARKS BILSTON GALLERY

SPOOKY GHOST FUN BANTOCK HOUSE

TUESDAY 27 OCTOBER 11AM – 12.30PM & 1.30PM – 3PM

WEDNESDAY 28 OCTOBER 11AM – 12.30PM & 1.30PM – 3PM

THURSDAY 29 OCTOBER 10.30AM – 12PM & 1PM – 2.30PM

Use colourful wool fibres to weave a flat shape. Next felt your fibres with soapy water.

Thread sparkly ribbon around the mat, pull the ends tight and you will have made your very own drawstring purse!

You will create a Bronze Age–inspired design and engrave this on metal sheet to produce a bronze–effect bookmark. Explore pattern, mythology and memories to make yours unique.

Make your own spooky Halloween decorations to take home and scare your family and friends!

£3 per child, suitable for ages 5–12. booking required: www.bookwhen.com/hx49t

£3 per child, suitable for ages 5–12.

Booking required: www.bookwhen.com/HX49T

CRAFTPLAY HALLOWEEN: GOOPS AND GUNKS BILSTON GALLERY THURSDAY 29 OCTOBER 10.30AM – 12PM & 1.30PM – 3PM Discover slimes, goops and gunks in our popular messy play sessions this Halloween!

Babies and young children can explore our sensory

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£3 per child, suitable for ages 4–12. visit www.wolvescivic.co.uk/-/mboevents to book your place

environment while older children can investigate and play. These sessions are popular so book early to avoid disappointment. £4 per child, suitable for ages 0–7. booking required: www.bookwhen.com/hx49t

JAPANESE FAMILY FUN DAY ART GALLERY FRIDAY 30 OCTOBER 2015 11AM – 4PM*

Join us for an amazing day of activities including storytelling from Kamishibai and Japanese–inspired drawing as part of The Big Draw.

DRAWING ACTIVITIES: 11AM – 4PM

Suitable for ages 4–12. £3 per child.

STORYTELLING: 11.30AM, 2PM & 3.15PM

Activities are drop-in but you must book on to a specific storytelling session; 11.30AM, 2PM or 3.15PM. Visit www.wolvescivic. co.uk/-/mbo-events to book your place. *storytelling and music performances throughout the day.

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FAMILY EVENTS

COLLECTIONS & PRINTS

[ALL SESSIONS SUITABLE FOR 4–12 YEARS UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED]

WOLVERHAMPTONART.ORG.UK

ONLINE COLLECTIONS Would you like to visit your own museum or art gallery that’s open every day of the year.

Our website enables you to do just this.

CRAFTPLAY FESTIVE SATURDAY: GLITTERFEST BILSTON GALLERY SATURDAY 21 NOVEMBER 11AM – 12.30PM & 1.30PM – 3PM Explore all that glitters this Christmas in Craftplay’s special seasonal creative and sensory session. £4 per child, suitable for ages 0–7.

Booking required: www.bookwhen.com/hx49t

WOLVERHAMPTON CHRISTMAS LIGHTS SWITCH–ON ART GALLERY

CRAFTPLAY FESTIVE SATURDAY – CHRISTMAS EXTRAVAGANZA BILSTON GALLERY

WEDNESDAY 25 NOVEMBER 5PM – 7PM

SATURDAY 5 DECEMBER 11AM – 12.30PM & 1.30PM – 3PM

The Art Gallery and café will be open until 7pm for festive celebrations including Christmas–themed creative family activities.

Make your own Christmas tree decorations, Christmas cards and gift wrap. There will be some special guests on hand to greet our younger visitors too.

Members of ArtForum will be hosting activities for visitors aged 14–25. £3 per person (no booking required) Image courtesy Adam Guy / We Make Art

Whether you’re interested in japanned ware, Black Country history, Victorian landscapes or Pop Art, you can find what you’re looking for at the click of a mouse.

You can search our collections, read about objects, artworks and artists and see some great images too.

Start exploring today: www.wolverhamptonart.org.uk/collections.

Make, play and discover in our special festive session inspired by Christmas decorations. Explore sensory materials and make things to decorate your tree. £4 per child, suitable for ages 0–7.

Booking required: www.bookwhen.com/hx49t

BLACK COUNTRY PRINTS Did you know that you can buy prints of many of the paintings and objects in our collection?

This online collection includes work by Black Country favourites such as Edwin Butler Bayliss and Frederick Hardy as well as a selection of fantastic photographs of the city throughout the 20th century.

Visit www.blackcountryprints.org.uk to browse and buy your own reproduction of some of the finest work in our collections.

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SUPPORTING CREATIVITY WOLVERHAMPTONART.ORG.UK

PAINT BECAUSE YOU LIKE TO ART GALLERY

MADE IN THE MIDLANDS ART GALLERY

12 SEPTEMBER – 10 OCTOBER 2015

17 OCTOBER – 14 NOVEMBER 2015

We paint because it’s good for the soul. We don’t worry too much about what the work will be like; we just express ourselves through the medium.

Jim Abernethy has been making digital prints for over fifteen years. He studied graphic design and has an MA in Fine Art Printmaking from the University of Wolverhampton where he is currently the principal technician for digital and traditional printmaking.

Dave Baines started painting again after many years of working in the car industry. His work has appeared in Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, Ikon, the V&A Museum, and the Whitworth Gallery, Manchester.

Julia Baines is a self–taught artist and loves natural forms. She continually experiments with new ideas and mediums. One of Julia’s works has been pre–selected for the prestigious Threadneedle Prize.

Made in the Midlands presents his recent work, exploring the history and remnants of Midlands manufacturing. Jim is particularly interested in the automotive industry and its remains. He contrasts these often derelict surroundings and objects with vivid, high saturation printing, reminding us of the wealth of history and hidden beauty of our region.

STRING OF PEARLS: WOMBOURNE QUILTERS 30TH ANNIVERSARY EXHIBITION BILSTON GALLERY 17 OCTOBER – 14 NOVEMBER To celebrate their 30th Anniversary members of Wombourne Quilters have worked together on two quilt projects with a Pearl theme.

Using beautiful and subtly coloured fabrics, this new work forms the basis for this exhibition which is shown alongside other 3D textile–related techniques. The variety of work reflects the many enthusiasms within a small group, and the enjoyment derived from working with one another on a shared interest.

String of Pearls courtesy of Wombourne Quilters

MADE BY MAKERS DOZEN ART GALLERY 21 NOVEMBER – 24 DECEMBER 2015 10.30AM – 12PM & 1PM – 2.30PM The Makers Dozen Studios at Wolverhampton Art Gallery are home to thirteen professional, local artists and designer–makers. Their work ranges from glassblowing to painting and textiles to drawing. The Makers Dozen group exhibition is an eclectic mix of original arts and contemporary crafts with something to suit everyone. Perfect for unique, handmade Christmas gifts.

The Makers Dozen Studios are situated in the courtyard at the rear entrance of Wolverhampton Art Gallery.

Image: Prepared for Battle by Roxanne Gooderham.

Made in the Midlands, Jim Abernethy

Selfie by Dave Baines. Acrylic on Paper

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BREAKING NEWS

GALLERIES HIRED BY REGIONAL ARTISTS

A selection of smaller spaces are available to hire for local and regional artists and community groups. Much of the work shown is also for sale.

To book a space call 01902 552055.

WOLVERHAMPTONART.ORG.UK

WOLVERHAMPTON’S OLDEST HOUSE: A SURVEY OF GRASELEY OLD HALL BANTOCK HOUSE 1 DECEMBER 12:30PM – 1.30PM A free talk by local archivist Gillian Roberts. After St Peter’s Church, Graseley Old Hall is possibly the oldest surviving building in the city, being mentioned in records from 600 years ago. But given this history it has not received the attention it might have.

Gillian tells us about the results of her own survey, including the building’s links to the Rydley and the Jesson families, its fine 16th century wall paintings, and its extensive and sensitive restoration in the 1920s by Borough Surveyor George Green.

‘THE COSELEY SPIDER’ ART GALLERY

THE MERCIAN TRAIL BILSTON GALLERY

7 OCTOBER – 19 NOVEMBER

15 DECEMBER 2015 – MARCH 2016

More than 300 million years ago an ancient arachnid was trapped in the Carboniferous silt near what is now Dudley.

Beautifully preserved in Black Country ironstone, it was rediscovered in 1871 and nicknamed ‘The Coseley Spider’. See the fossil (only two examples of which exist in the world), an enlarged 3D-printed replica of how the creature might have looked, and read about its significance.

An exciting interactive exhibition that tells the fascinating story of how the Staffordshire Hoard was found and saved for the nation.

Perfect for adults and children alike, it features high quality replicas of objects in the Hoard, showing how they might have looked when first crafted.

Use the interactive displays to try detecting metal or cleaning a piece of the Hoard… or try on costumes to help bring the Anglo-Saxons to life!

The specimen is on loan from Lapworth Museum of Geology

Image courtesy of Stoke Museums

THANKS TO...

Every year, over 280,000 people pay a visit to Wolverhampton Arts & Heritage sites. We benefit from being part of Wolverhampton City Council but we also rely on the support of our visitors, friends, partners and corporate sponsors. Arts Council England’s Catalyst Arts, WAVE can match–fund all donations until 2015, making your valuable contribution go further.

EDUCATION Our venues welcome organised groups and educational visits and offer guided tours and school visits. For more information, or to arrange a visit please call 01902 552033 or email wavelearning@wolverhampton.gov.uk ROOM HIRE Across the city, our venues offer unique spaces for events of all types and sizes in convenient locations with inspiring surroundings and excellent facilities. For information on room hire, please call 01902 552055.

FRIENDS You can support, assist and promote your favourite venue by becoming a member of one of our Friends groups; Friends of

Wolverhampton Art Gallery & Museums, Friends of Bantock House Museum & Park or Friends of Wolverhampton Archives & Local Studies.

VISITOR INFORMATION Find out about local attractions, travel and accommodation at the Visitor Information Point at Wolverhampton Art Gallery. For up to date listings on local events pick up a copy of Wolverhampton What’s On. SUPPORTING CREATIVITY Our venues support the creative community and offer opportunities for development, commissioning and the sale of work.

Gallery and studio spaces are available at Wolverhampton Art Gallery and Bilston Craft Gallery. Please visit the website or contact the venue for further details.

REMOTE RESEARCH Archives offer a remote research service for a small charge to people who are unable to visit in person. Please call 01902 552480.

TERMS & CONDITIONS Please note bookings on our workshops and courses are non–refundable and non– transferable.

MAKERS DOZEN ARTIST STUDIOS The Makers Dozen Studios are a complex of thirteen workshop spaces for both new graduates and established artist makers. The artist spaces are located in a row of Georgian shops and a new gallery featuring works by the resident artist makers and guest artists opened in 2013. A contemporary extension links the studios to the original Victorian building.

To find out more about the resident artist makers and open studio events go to: www.makersdozen.co.uk and www.mdgallery.info 28

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SOCIAL MEDIA

ROOM HIRE

WOLVERHAMPTONART.ORG.UK

WOLVERHAMPTONART.ORG.UK

ART GALLERY @wolvesartgallery www.facebook.com/wolvesarchives

BANTOCK HOUSE @bantockhouse www.facebook.com/bantockhousemuseum

Did you know that all of our sites have their own Facebook pages? They’re a great place to find out what’s going on and to share stories and pictures from your visit.

Talk to us on Twitter! Send us a #museumselfie, ask us a question or tell the world how much you enjoyed your visit. Follow us for the latest news, updates and sneak peeks behind the scenes!

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BILSTON GALLERY @bilstoncraftgal www.facebook.com/bilstoncraftgallery

CITY ARCHIVES @wolvesarchive www.facebook.com/wolvartgallery

We have a regular e–newsletter. Subscribers get the most up to date information about the exciting events, exhibitions and activities that are happening across the museums and galleries of Wolverhampton.

You can sign up from any of the Facebook pages or on our website: www.wolverhamptonart.org.uk/contact

Wolverhampton’s museums and galleries are situated at convenient locations across the city making them the perfect place for a meeting, event or presentation.

We have rooms and spaces in inspiring settings that can be tailored to your

requirements, including different seating layouts, equipment hire and supply of a PA system.

Contact our team on 01902 552055 to discuss your needs.

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INFORMATION WOLVERHAMPTONART.ORG.UK

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Find out what’s on at: wolverhamptonart.org.uk

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To discover our collections visit: blackcountryhistory.org.uk blackcountryprints.org.uk

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Front Cover Image: Andy Warhol, Campell’s Soup, 1968. Collection of Wolverhampton Art Gallery © 2015 The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Inc. / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York and DACS, London.

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