What’s On

We are delighted to announce that Sketch for Survival, the international art initiative from conservation charity Explorers Against Extinction, will make its debut at Nature in Art this autumn. Now in its ninth year, this inspiring exhibition will be on display from 21 October – 16 November 2025, offering visitors a first chance to see the 2025 collection in full.

Every artwork in Sketch for Survival carries a message. Whether it portrays a threatened species, highlights an at-risk habitat, or reflects a wider conservation story, the art is designed to spark conversation and raise awareness about the urgent issues facing our natural world.

Since the initiative began, it has attracted artists from an incredible 119 different countries, united by a shared concern for wildlife and wild spaces. From thousands of entries received this year, just 100 artworks have been selected by our expert selection panel, chaired by renowned wildlife artist Gary Hodges. Each of these pieces has been donated by the artist, supporting both the campaign fund and the message behind it.

The exhibition at Nature in Art marks the start of the Sketch for Survival 2025 tour. Following its debut here, the collection will move to the Oxo Tower Wharf in London, where the works will be available to view and bid for via online auction. The auction opens for browsing on 17 October and concludes at the close of the Oxo exhibition on 23 November.

Funds raised will support frontline conservation projects around the globe. In 2025, these range from protecting pangolins in Malawi, to safeguarding tigers in India, and conserving red pandas in Nepal.

We hope you will join us at Nature in Art to experience this powerful exhibition, which demonstrates how creativity and compassion can combine to make a tangible difference for the planet.

This selling exhibition of contemporary crafts draws inspiration from the urgent themes of the UN’s International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation. The works celebrate the beauty of glaciers, polar regions, ice, snow, and water; life-giving and fragile. Exhibits range from ceramics, wood, glass, jewellery, enamels, prints and more.

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Amongst the makers represented are Colin See-Paynton (wood engravings), Amanda Lawrence (glass left above), Carole Bury (mixed media), Robert Cox (wood),  Nigel Calvert (glass), Avril Farley (ceramics, right above), Grahame Tucker (wood), Siddy Langley (glass), Ben Venuto (printmaking), Linda Heaton-Harris (ceramic sculpture), Paul Hannaby (wood), Sarah Kinnersley (jewellery), and Grant Sonnex (Furniture and ceramics) .

As has been the case in past years, the majority of the exhibits in this exhibition will be for sale.

We were very sad to have had to report early last year, the passing of the renowned glass engraver and long-time trustee of Nature in Art, Michael Fairbairn (1935 – 2024). He had been a wonderful encourager of Nature in Art and has left a remarkable legacy of engraved glass in public and private hands. To honour Michael’s contribution to Nature in Art and to give people the opportunity to re-aquaint themselves with his remarkable work, this is a unique selection of his engraved glass, mostly borrowed from private collections, many never previously displayed in public.

At the age of 13 Michael won a scholarship to attend the Stourbridge Secondary School of Art. He wasn’t keen, but his parents insisted he took up the opportunity. Fortunately for Michael, he was encouraged by his tutor George Webb who one day gave him a lead crystal tumbler to engrave and a picture of a roe deer.  He gave him hints and tips on how to control the wheel and how much abrasive to use. So began a remarkable career.

Michael excelled at the college and went on to gain a National Diploma in Design which led to a three year scholarship at The Royal Collegeof Art which he completed  after his National service.Michael graduated in 1961 with a Silver medal for work of special distinction in glass engraving and was immediately commissioned to make a piece to fit into the crook belonging to Rev. Bardsley, Bishop of Coventry.

Following a short spell in industry Michael moved into secondary education teaching engineering drawing at Cirencester Comprehensive. But, in 1968, he was given the opportunity to take up the tenancy of a farm, which he later purchased and farmed for decades. He kept up this passion for engraving whilst running a farm and the commissions he would get helped run the business.

Michael was one of the founding members of the Guild of Glass Engravers and was a life member of Gloucestershire Guild of Craftsmen. His experience and training enabled him to accomplish many engraving styles but his speciality was wildlife themes and settings. Such was his enthusiasm for this subject that in the 1970’s he undertook the daunting task of producing a series of engraved items of threatened and endangered species. Over 50 species were each depicted on three separate items – 150 pieces that took over 4 years to complete. Part of the proceeds were given to World Wildlife Fund.

Throughout his long career, the majority of his output was commissioned including many from royalty and government.

His detailed, painstaking approach and mastery of the technique is refreshingly set apart from the modern mania for computer-aided design and mass-produced work and stands out as a testament to the enduring significance of meticulous craft-based skill. Visitors to this show will be encouraged to look at the glass, all the while remembering that it has been engraved, not by moving the tool over the glass, but by moving the glass over the tool, sometimes engraving on both sides of the glass.

We sincerely thank all the collectors who have loaned work for this display.

Fresh from its launch at the Natural History Museum, London, see the 100 winning and commended images from the very latest competition. Selected from over 60,000 entries from 113 countries this is an awe-inspiring show. Get a glimpse of the show here.

Bringing the family? Download the NHM’s printable activity trail here!

Young Artists Exhibition

Join us as we celebrate the young artists of Gloucestershire, in their interpretations of Our Great Outdoors: Art Inspired by the Natural World’.

Free to enter, in the Education Centre