Exhibition:
This display features a wonderful collection of Chinese folk art – embroidered children’s hats roughly 100 years old.
Silk has been used in China since ancient times and embroidery has become a common folk art in China. Many of the children’s hats contain animal imagiary, which is believed to invoked good fortune, outwit evil forces and help bring happiness and longevity.
Exhibition:
A display by Dutch lace maker Yvonne Scheele-Kerkhof and her interpretations of Asian motifs.
She describes her work as ‘painting in thread’ and through these exquisite pieces she takes us on a journey to discover the beauty of the Orient and the meaning and symbolism of the designs.
The Beauty of the Orient is on show until April 24th.
This display complements another exhibition on show at the museum entitled A Mothers Love. Find out more here.
Exhibition:
Inspired by nature in a single seedpod or insects sheltering in the tree canopy, a found treasure or beloved artefact, the work within this exhibition is constructed using material such as handmade paper, rusty wire and recycled lace, charting a creative textile journey to a place that is On the Edge of traditional stitch practice.
www.stitchtextileartists.co.uk
On the Edge is on show until April 10th.
Easter Holidays Art Activity Days:
This Easter we are running a range of our popular art activity days for children aged 3 years and over. They include:
Tues 31st March – Marbling
Wed 1st April – Animal Snappers
Thurs 2nd April – Easter Bunny Trail… a chocolaty treat awaits once you find them all!
Tues 7th April – Inspired by Henri Matisse; Paper Cuts
Wed 8th April – Copper Embossing
Thurs 9th April – Twinkling Wire Wishing Tree
Fri 10th April – Candle Making
Each workshop interprets the day’s theme using age appropriate materials and techniques. The different times are:
10.30-12.00pm: for 3 – 7 years
1.00-2.30pm: for 3 – 18 years
3.00-4.30pm: for 8 – 18 years
Each activity costs £6 per child and includes free entry to the museum for one accompanying adult. All activity must be booked in advance via our online booking system.
To see full details and to book please visit our Activity Days home page, here.
Exhibition:
This display will highlight a collection of nature-inspired glass, mostly loaned by the Broadfield House Glass Museum, but will also include work from the Nature in Art collection.
A number of different techniques will be on show, demonstrating the wonderful variety of items and revealing how craftspeople have exploited the many qualities of glass to celebrate nature.
Melting Point will be on show until May 22nd.
Exhibition:
This is Nature in Art’s first ever exhibition of stereoscopic (3-D) images, first invented in 1832 and now enjoying a revival.
You will be able to borrow some of our 3D glasses and go on a journey through the micro world, seeing things, as for the first time, in their true three dimensional form.
Discover a whole new way to see and enjoy the beauty in nature.
Small but Perfectly Formed will be on show until June 12th.
Exhibition:
The Wildlife Art Society International annual selling exhibition of wildlife art comes to Nature in Art.
Around 300 paintings, drawings, original prints, photographs and sculpture by professional and part-time members of this active organisation will be on display, the majority for sale.
Members of the Society will also be demonstrating throughout the exhibition.
The exhibition is FREE to attend *normal admission charges apply to view the museum galleries* and is on show until June 5th.
May Half Term Art Activity Days:
This May we are running a range of our popular art activity days for children aged 3 years and over. They include:
31st May – Clock Making
1st June – Rawww! Lions Mask
2nd June – Block Print Wrapping Paper Inspired by William Morris
3rd June – Get Dotty with Pointillism
Each workshop interprets the day’s theme using age appropriate materials and techniques. The different times are:
10.30-12.00pm: for 3 – 7 years
1.00-2.30pm: for 3 – 18 years
3.00-4.30pm: for 8 – 18 years
Each activity costs £6 per child and includes free entry to the museum for one accompanying adult. All activity must be booked in advance via our online booking system.
To see full details and to book please visit our Activity Days home page, here.
Exhibition:
This display is a celebration of the work by James TA Osborne RE (1907 – 1979) who regularly exhibited at the Royal Academy and the Society of Painter-Etchers and Engravers.
He was well know for his experimentation with print and paper and leaves behind a varied body of work, examples of which are held in public and private collections internationally.
Now extended to 24th July.
Family Fun Day
Our latest family fun day will be taking place on Saturday 25th June and will be themed around Bees, this will coincide with celebrating Insect Week (20th-26th June).
All activities will run from 10am-4pm and will be suitable for 3+; the cost to take part will only be £1 per person, under 3s free. If you wish to view the museum galleries on this day normal admission will apply.
Full details on the day’s events will be added below as soon as they are confirmed.
Here is a taster of what to look forward to already:
- Watch live demonstrations of real-life bees in their portable hive,
at 11am and 2pm - Discover our UV light and interactive smells exhibit
- Explore the microscopic world of bees
- Make a bee house and paint a bee magnet
- Get hands-on with the master composters
- Have a go at dissecting plants
- Take part in a Bumble Bee quiz and related games in the garden
There is no need to book for activities, please just come along anytime between 10am-4pm.
The coffee shop will also be open and serving light lunches.
Please see below for more detail about those organisations, individuals and charities who will kindly be providing many of the activities during our fun day:
The Cheltenham Science Group (10am-4pm) – Join the science group to experience the world as bees; using ultraviolet light, by dissecting a flower to see why pollinators are so important and by surveying the Nature in Art garden to find about the different pollinators at work. Plus, learn to communicate like a honey bee.
Bees Abroad (11am and 2pm) – The aim of Bees Abroad is to provide education and technical advice in Beekeeping. As part of the family day, see live hive demonstrations from the team as they educate you about bees and their importance! Find out more about them, here.
The Stroud-based Buzz Club for Young People (10am-4pm) – “Our aim is to ensure that all young people are aware of the importance of all bees and insects in the food chain and to care for the environment through bee centered education and play.”
The Bumblebee Conservation Trust (10am-4pm) – one aim of the Trust is to “support the conservation of all bumblebees, rare or abundant” and to educate people on the importance of bees in all shapes and forms. Have a go at completing their Bumblebee quiz and other games during the fun day. Find out more about them, here.
The Master Composters (10am-4pm) – Master Composters are volunteers who encourage people in their local community to start composting at home. During our fun day learn more about composing and the sorts of plants you can grow to help bees in your garden. Find out more about them, here.
Plus, meet insect artist Cath Hodsman who loves to explore the world of bees using a microscope. See some of her bee related artworks on show.