Two new displays show Fijian Art and post-second world war radios. The wide range of events includes conservation demonstrations, a video link with Yaroslavl, arts classes, tours, lessons in the use of Tudor herbs, a bumblebee identification workshop and the start of summer activities for families.
Exhibitions are listed below, followed by displays then special events.
12 July to 2 November
Galleries 21 and 22 Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery, Exeter
This exhibition explores how artists have been inspired by landscapes, nature and the seasons. Imaginary and mystical places have provided the stimulus for several of the exhibited artists; others have been inspired by Westcountry locations. Some touch on themes of spirituality and paganism. The results are pieces which are often abstract, sometimes representational and occasionally other-worldly.
The exhibition features David Bomberg, Edward Burra, Prunella Clough, Terry Frost, Patrick Heron, Roger Hilton, Peter Lanyon, Richard Long, Rachel Lowe, George Shaw and Clare Woods. In addition to a core group of 20th-century paintings from RAMM’s collection, loaned works come to Exeter from the Arts Council Collection at Southbank Centre in London, the national loan collection of modern and contemporary British art, and from Plymouth City Museum & Art Gallery, including several of that collection’s most significant modern paintings.
This is a wonderful opportunity for visitors to see Soaring Flight (1960) by Lanyon and Daddy Witch (2008) by Woods. Bomberg’s Self Portrait (1937), one of the earlier works in the Arts Council Collection, and Trendrine, Cornwall (1947) will hang alongside RAMM’s own Bideford, Devon (1946). In other media, the exhibition includes Fourteen Stones by Richard Long, Rachel Lowe’s video A Letter to an Unknown Person No.5 and photography by Keith Arnatt and Jem Southam.
Detached and Timeless has been curated by RAMM in collaboration with the Arts Council Collection, with loans from Plymouth City Museum & Art Gallery.
From time to time the galleries will be closed for special events; please check before travelling.
Tickets from RAMM or online.
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29 March to 20 July
Gallery 20, Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery, Exeter
Originally scheduled to open on 26 March.
Since 2009 The British Wildlife Photography Awards have showcased some of the finest images captured by photographers practising in Britain. The 14 categories, including Botanical Britain, Young People’s Awards, Coast and marine and Wildlife in HD Video, are inspiring, thought provoking and highlight the natural wonders right on our doorsteps. Subjects range from familiar favourites to rare and elusive floral and faunal gems.
From time to time the galleries will be closed for special events; please check before travelling.
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Until 30 July
Gallery 5, Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery, Exeter
This display includes works by major artists of both the 19th and 20th centuries.
Having recently returned from a major touring exhibition, RAMM’s pair of hospital drawings by Barbara Hepworth, Trio and Preparation, will be on display for the first time in years. The artist was an enthusiastic supporter of the NHS and was encouraged to visit the Princess Elizabeth Hospital in Exeter by Norman Capener, a surgeon and friend. Trio includes a portrait of Capener, who was himself a painter and sculptor and maintained a long association with RAMM as a member of the Board of Governors and co-opted member of Exeter City Council. He also later became a trustee of the Friends of Exeter Museums & Art Gallery.
Thomas Girtin (1775-1802) was one of the greatest English watercolourists whose innovations opened the way for Romantic landscape artists of the 19th century. Even JMW Turner, his contemporary, is said to have remarked: “Had Tom Girtin lived I should have starved”. RAMM is fortunate in having two of Girtin’s watercolours of the Exe estuary: Rainbow scene on the River Exe and Exeter from Trew’s Weir. Both are shown alongside works by other notable watercolour artists such as Francis Towne and John White Abbott. More recent interpretations of Devon scenery include Alan Cotton’s impressive oil painting, Hartland Quay, North Devon and Brian Rice’s Devon.
From time to time the galleries will be closed for special events; please check before travelling.
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1 July to 21 September
Finders Keepers gallery
One man’s passion for plastic, technology and design has led him to focus on collecting post-war radios. Drop in to RAMM to find out more.
Display your collection
Do you have a collection that you would like to exhibit? Email ramm@exeter.gov.uk.
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17 June to December
World Cultures gallery, Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery, Exeter
A display of RAMM’s Fijian objects focusing on clubs, ceremonial items and gifts with new interpretation by the Fijian Art Research Project. Funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council and developed with Pacific specialists based at the University of East Anglia.
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Thursday 3 July, 11am to 4pm, free, drop in
In Fine Feather gallery
Meet local bird experts from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB).
Discover underwater wonders around Devon’s shores, learn how bees are saving the UK millions of pounds a year, which piece of clothing inspired the RSPB’s origins and how everything from tigers to sparrows are being protected by local conservationists.
Wildlife Tours - 11am and 2pm
Join them for a 20 to 30 minute walk around the museum to see the wildlife on display.
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Thursday 17 July, Tuesday 19 August, Tuesday 23 September, 11am to noon, £7 (£5)
St Nicholas Priory, The Mint, Fore St, Exeter, Devon EX4 3BL
Discover a hidden jewel just a short walk from the city centre: Join a guide for extra insight into this splendid Grade 1 listed building. Originally part of Exeter’s first medieval monastery, St Nicholas Priory is presented as a richly furnished Tudor home in 1602 style based on evidence from inventories and archaeology.
Tickets are available online or from the Royal Albert Memorial Museum reception in person or by phone using a credit or debit card on 01392 265858 during opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm.
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Tuesday 15 to Saturday 19 and July, 10am to 5pm, free, drop in
Courtyard
Meet members of RAMM’s conservation team who will be working on a variety of finds from local excavations and find out how they investigate and treat objects.
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Wednesday 16 July, 2 to 4pm, free, drop in
Gallery 20
2014 marks the 25th anniversary of Exeter’s twinning links with Yaroslavl in Russia and coincides with the Year of Britain in Russia. To celebrate RAMM is hosting an event linking live with colleagues in museums in Yaroslavl.
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Thursday 17 July, 10.30am and noon, £7 (£5)
Meet in RAMM’s Courtyard
Take a 40-minute behind the scenes tour. See some of the reserve collections and find out more about the conservation, display and storage of objects.
Tickets are available online or from the Royal Albert Memorial Museum reception in person or by phone using a credit or debit card on 01392 265858 during opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm.
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Tuesday 22 to Saturday 26 July, 10am to 5pm, free, drop in
Courtyard
Meet members of RAMM’s conservation team who will be working on a variety of finds from local excavations and find out how they investigate and treat objects.
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Saturday 19 July, 10.30am to 12.30pm, £7 (£5).
Meeting Room A
Using RAMM’s bee collection, Stephen Carroll, Devon County Recorder for Hymenoptera, will show participants how to identify different kinds of bumblebee. If the weather is fine the activity will continue outdoors. Suitable for adults and children over 12.
Tickets are available online or from the Royal Albert Memorial Museum reception in person or by phone using a credit or debit card on 01392 265858 during opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm.
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Tuesday 22 July, 10.30am to 3.30pm, £50
Meeting Room A
A practical and art historical painting day led by artist/teacher Sara Dudman. Suitable for those aged over 12. Sara has taught at a diverse range of schools, the University of the West of England in Bristol and has led a range of courses for students and teachers. She has created education resources and led workshops with a variety of galleries, museums, arts organisations and the National Trust. Sara is a practicing figurative and conceptual artist, regularly exhibiting in London and the West and South West of England: www.saradudman.com
Accompanying the exhibition Detached and Timeless: contemporary artists inspired by nature and spirit of place: 12 July to 2 November. Tickets are available online or from the Royal Albert Memorial Museum reception in person or by phone using a credit or debit card on 01392 265858 during opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm.
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Tuesday 29 July, 10.30 to 11.45am, £6 per child, siblings £3.
Meeting Room A
Creation Station family sessions are suitable for 1 to 11 year olds and easily accommodate siblings of different ages. Every session is inspired by a collection at RAMM and participants look, learn, imagine and make something to take home. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
Tickets in advance from Creation Station. Contact Erin Blake T 0844 824 4534, M 07925653942, E erinblake@thecreationstation.co.uk.
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Wednesday 30 and Thursday 31 July, 10.30 to 12.30pm and 1.30 to 3.30pm, drop in, £2.50 per child, adults free
Courtyard
Connect with nature with Ambios, a local non profit wildlife organisation running family learning activities.
Adults are expected to stay with their children while they participate and must remain with them if they are under 8 years of age. Some activities are messy so please wear clothes that can get dirty. Aprons will be provided. Tickets can be purchased on the day from the Garden reception.
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Thursday 31 July, 14 and 28 August, 11am to 1pm, drop in, admission charged
St Nicholas Priory, The Mint, Fore St, Exeter, Devon EX4 3BL
Learn more about the power of plants. It is the year 1602; meet, watch and help our Herb Women preparing natural remedies in the Tudor Kitchen. Using a variety of plants gathered from their own physick garden and from the wild places of the former Polsloe Priory, they will be preparing infusions, tisanes, poultices and healing salves for the benefit and well being of the Hurst-Clifton household.
St Nicholas Priory is a hidden jewel just a short walk from the city centre: This splendid Grade 1 listed building was originally part of Exeter’s first medieval monastery. It is now presented as a richly furnished Tudor home in 1602 style based on evidence from inventories and archaeology.
