Exhibitions ------------- Past
The Museum has just finished hosting "Something About Shilbottle"
It was a step back in time through the village of Shilbottle and district to see people, places and events between 1860 and 1925.
The exhibition included artefacts, photographs and personal reminiscences, withitems on the diverse and extremely interesting history of Shilbottle: history, farmlands, people, Colliery, sportsmen and lots more !!
With photos and maps, old work artefacts and artwork -- this was Shilbottle as you may never have seen it before.
Other previous exhibitions have included:
"A Photographic History of Alnwick" A variety of rare and interesting photographs covering the history of Alnwick Town. From the famous to the obscure, there were photographs of almost every facet of Alnwick town centre, along with many showing the more illustrious aspects in the surroundings.
"For Your Eyes Only." This was an absorbing exhibition of hand-stitched foundation garments and with many samples of beautiful and quite personal needlework. A must for everyone interested in textiles, craft or social history.
"Christmas Past." A retrospective of all the festive celebrations associated with our past Christmas times. A fine and colourful reminiscence of bygone times in the District, resplendent with a cosy domestic scene and a glittering variety of toys and miscellaneous items.
"Lest We Forget". On the brink of the 90th anniversary of the end of the Great War, we took a look back at how the "war to end all wars" affected the people of Alnwick District.
A moving and often harrowing visit to a time when the young men and women of the area gave their all in a gripping and brutal conflict. The contrast of heartfelt letters from the front with the hand-crafted mementoes from the trenches or from POW camps was an immensely moving experience.
(This exhibition was extended to cover the unfortunate cancellation of the advertised "Norman Cornish" exhibition, for which we do apologise).
"Walk this Way": Following the path of St. Oswald's Way, and re-visiting the breathtaking scenery of Northumberland. An extremely interesting take on the paths followed by "serious" walkers and tourists alike, down the North Northumberland coastline and then inland. There are very few places in Britain that exhibit the same combination of photogenic scenery and historical depth.
"Northern Light and Textures - Two Perspectives": Anne Kinniment (painter) and Lesley Forster (textile artist) exhibited work depicting Northumbrian landscape, flora and fauna. Some beautiful landscapes and amazingly intricate embroidery work from these two artists, bringing the best of Northumberland's outdoors indoors for the Gallery viewer !
"FIVE", where five Final Year art students from Newcastle College were showcased ( Angela Kennedy, Ness Kennedy, Dot Kent, Judie McConway & Heather Robson). Each student demonstrating markedly different styles and showing once more the quality of artwork to be found in the North East of England.
"More Questions than Answers", Nick Holmes (contemporary artist) used his incisive viewpoint to take a look at today's world and the people in it. The bold and vivid colours, along with the meaningful imagery, lent a quite brilliant aspect to the Museum Gallery, making this yet another exhibition not to be missed !!! One of the most stylish art exhibitions that the Gallery has hosted for some time.
"Scouts Were ... Scouts Are ...." This was an amazing collection of artefacts, photographs, equipment and stories from 100 years of the Scouts movement in the North East of England. From the use of swastikas to the Robert Louis Stevenson connection, there was something of interest to everybody. Yet another example of an exhibition enhanced further by the contributions and loans from local people.
"Northumberland Treasures: Berwick Comes to Bailiffgate" (this was a replacement for the last-minute cancellation of the scheduled Stella Vine event). For the first time, a large part of Berwick Museum's Burrell and Contemporary Collections were on show in Alnwick. Indeed, there were paintings on display that had never been unveiled to the public before!! A remarkable coup by Bailiffgate Museum's recently-departed Curator, Jemma Taylor, having the most amazing paintings ever available for public viewing in Alnwick, outside of Alnwick Castle.
"Inns and Taverns", an excellent bringing-together of information, photographs, maps, documents and memories of Alnwick Town hostelries, still extant and now departed. This received fantastic feeedback from the public, with visitors drawn to the depth of information and availing themselves of the superb further research facilities that the Museum can offer.
"Northumbrian Fusion", which featured -- "Wild and Wonderful" : a display of wildlife and other photographs by Gail Johnson; "Northern Landscapes": some atmospheric photographs of sea, coast and solar effects by Carol Scott; and, "Ebb and Flow" : a clever mix of photography and humorous poetry by Ian Williams.
"Moments of Contentment", being vivid and colourful images by the artist Jimmy Moffat. This was a wide range of artwork, most of which were abstract, but in considerably varied style.
(The Museum undertook "Art Sessions" for visiting children, in conjunction with the art exhibitions featured immediately above and below, allowing youngsters to create and have the Museum display their own remarkable artistic creations !)
"Laura Lancaster", one of the region's most celebrated artists, displayed an eerie and moving collection, based around a single group photograph, with individuals selected and drawn with tenderness and care, the totality of which was to create a gallery filled with oddly emotive faces.
"Funs, Fairs and Festivities" was yet another excellent and enjoyable historical analysis of how Alnwick Town and District celebrated through traditional customs and events. The detailed descriptions of the activities and games that the people undertook showed a side to yesteryear that many today were surprised to read about. It also demonstrated yet again the impressive lengths that the Museum's volunteer researchers went to, in order to make this exhibition so interesting and illuminating.
"A Closer Look", a display of watercolours detailing and marking the wide and rich variety of architecture and stonework still extant today. Incredibly detailed renditions of both the macro and the micro sides of some very genteel building structures -- an amazing foray into how form and function can still be beautiful !
"Toys Through Time", which saw a positive treasure trove of old toys (up to the 1950s) on display. From simple old wooden toys to board games and early mechanical contraptions, there was something for everyone to see. It was interesting to see how children took to these old devices, and how adults recalled toys long departed.
"Alnwick: A Step Back in Time", allowing the visitor to take a walk through the streets of old Alnwick town, and see the place through the eyes of a real inhabitant at the time. An exhibition filled with fabulous photographs of buildings now gone (or going), and presenting the viewer with an intriguing perspective on a town which seems to have had a wider range of shops then than now !
"Alnwick Castle: Unlocked", an exhibition marking the lives and events of the inhabitants of the Castle between 1506-2006. A very interesting show, opening up the days and nights and work and fun of both staff and gentry alike. It should be noted that the information gained and collated in exhibitions such as these are retained by the Museum for future use, whether in exhibition form or for research purposes.
"Digital Dialogue", an exhibition of digitally enhanced photographs from local photographer Kevin Temple. Kevin started as a builder (who incidentally held the Guiness Book of Records' record for bricklaying!) who dabbled in painting and photography, and is now a well-known and highly respected local artist, with a strong talent for finding the photographic shot, and then creating the picture he sees within it.
"Whatever Happened to Melissa Jane?", an exhibition of locally-bred and nationally-recognised artist Stella Vine. Stella Vine's paintings show such vibrancy and attitude, and switch between simplicity and crafty nods to other influences upon the artist. A much-acclaimed exhibition by one of Alnwick's most famous exports !!!
"A Stitch in Time", being a show of fashionable gowns and other clothing from the 1870s to the 1950s. Although being clearly skewed towards women's clothing, the sense of style and of how little some items of clothing have altered, and of how much certain other articles have changed, was evidence of how attitudes to fashion and comfort have evolved in our recent past.
"Bill Peronneau", was an exhibition of images by the renowned photographer, often associated most strongly in the public eye with his deft capture of the spirit and animus of the boxer Mohammed Ali on film. The mixture of alternately darkly brooding and simply human facets of the great boxer showed an absorbing side to the legend. Peronneau's ghostly photos of trees and woodland were also of real interest.
"Railway Recollections", detailing over 150 years of "life on the line". A detailed and extensive event, with research resulting in photographs, maps, pictures, newspaper articles (from searching through over 100 years of local journals), plus first- and second- hand accounts of the glorious days of steam. The research on local railways STILL continues at the Museum, and any further information on those old days of the railway industry in Alnwick District would be much appreciated (contact details at the bottom of this page).
"Artists from Alnmouth", being a collection of paintings from the Alnmouth Art Group, yet again exemplifying the incredible artistic talent present in the area. The artwork drew from both local and distant sources of inspiration, showing people, buildings and scenery, with many of the works showing impressive style and judgement.
"Locked in Time - A Focus on the Past", which featured both poignant and evocative photographs of the North East's thriving communities when the coastal industry was in its heyday. In many ways this was a touching reminiscence of what was and may never be again: the District's coast dotted with industry and commerce, busy with the ebb and flo of a multitude of working people.
"Simply Norman Cornish", consisted of paintings, watercolours and prints from an artist who caught the spirit of many of the North East's mining communities. The warmth and character of the local people caught by Cornish shines through the cold and dreary dampness of a typical working class environment. A very enjoyable display, with the bonus of some excellent postcards and books on sale at our shop !!!
"In the Mind's Eye: Landscape Translations", a dramatic display of drawings and mixed media on paper by local artist Edwin Cartmel-Crossley, with supporting artists Janice Rackham and John Cartmel-Crossley. A critically-acclaimed and well-received exhibition of cleverly created pieces, which demanded a second look.
"The District at War", which was a most singularly impressive exhibition, detailing Alnwick District's march into war, and the pain and the pride of our local men and women. With books full of witness transcripts, old photographs of the time, research into the area's "defences", a recreation of a domestic kitchen scene, and even audio records from our wartime survivors, this was a truly fascinating insight into the war years at home and abroad. It may be of interest to know that even now one of the Museum's foremost volunteers continues to collect war survivors' tales, so that future generations of locals will not forget the sacrifices made.
"Scene through the Lens", showing the quite breath-taking images of the countryside by local photographer Ken Baker. Through a variety of colour, and black and white photographs (without any digital enhancement), an array of landscapes were brought forth in a full spectrum of moods. A very striking show.
"From Pineapple to Pavilion", an exhibition charting the development of The Alnwick Garden over the last 250 years. Some illuminating facts unearthed have included: some people may know that the large steam-heated glasshouses on previous Garden sites produced melons and pineapples for the Castle. But did you know that the gardeners in the late 1800's were growing nectarines and pears outside ?? A very interesting and absorbing analysis of the rise and fall and subsequent present-day rise again of the Garden.
"Art for Fun", a show of art from the Lesbury Art Group, had consisted of a large variety of subjects and styles. A perfect example of the substantial novel and traditional artistic ability in Alnwick District.
As with all such shows, a preview evening for Friends of the Museum takes place the evening before the exhibition opens to the public, with refreshments and oftentimes the chance to meet the artist.
Contact details:
Bailifgate Museum, 14 Bailiffgate, Alnwick, Northumberland, NE66 1LX
Telephone: 01665 605847
e-mail: ask@bailiffgatemuseum.co.uk
