Museum & Art Swindon

This striking linocut by Robin Mackenzie reminds us that it’s Bonfire night tonight! Thomas Hardy often drew on scenes like these, where gatherings around bonfires sparked tales of local life, resilience and history.

Explore more of the art, culture, and stories of Thomas Hardy in our current exhibition, ‘Hardy’s Wessex’, now on at Museum & Art Swindon.

Find out more: https://www.museumartswindon.com/whats-on/hardy%E2%80%99s-wessex/

We’re so excited because our new exhibition ‘Un/Common People: Folk Culture in Wessex’ is opening at the end of this month! Leading up to the launch, we’ll be featuring some of the extraordinary artefacts that’ll be going on display.

Today we’re showcasing an intricate sweetheart pincushion, made by men serving in the armed forces during and after the First World War. These delicate pieces were crafted by those recuperating from physical and mental wounds and were sent home to be cherished by loved ones. Many were adorned with service insignia, heartfelt messages and expressions of love.

‘Un/Common People: Folk Culture in Wessex’ opens on 30th November 2024 at Museum & Art Swindon.
Find out more:
www.museumartswindon.com/whats-on/uncommon-people-folk-art-in-wessex/

Lydiard Ghost Tales at Christmas 🎄 👻
We can’t wait for our upcoming exhibition ‘Un/Common People: Folk Culture in Wessex’ and to celebrate we’ve created a spooky and captivating event in collaboration with Lydiard House Museum.

Prepare to step into the shadows this December as we revive a chilling tradition that goes back thousands of years…

In the atmospheric setting of Lydiard House Museum, surrounded by traditional Christmas cheer, you’ll hear spine-tingling ghost stories about some of the spirits that have been reported at Lydiard over the centuries.

Friday 13th December, 6pm – 7.30pm
£10 per person – includes arrival drink
Suitable for ages 10+

Spaces are limited and tickets must be booked in advance: https://www.lydiardpark.org.uk/event/lydiard-ghost-tales-at-christmas/

This event is part of a celebration of folk in Swindon this winter. The exhibition Un/Common People: Folk Culture in Wessex opens at Museum and Art Swindon on 30 November 2024 and runs until 8 March 2025.

Hardy’s Wessex: The landscapes that inspired a writer

The exhibition is now on tour at until 8 February 2025. Originally presented across Wessex Museums’ four partner museums in 2022. The exhibition explores the life and work of Victorian novelist and poet Thomas Hardy, set against the Wessex landscapes that inspired him.

📅 Now open until 8 February 2025
wessexmuseums.org.uk/hardys-wessex-exhibition-returns/

It’s so what could be more fitting than a ?
Black cats are sometimes considered to be bad luck, but we think they are … even though this kitty looks rather worried!
Cats were symbols of the divine in ancient Egypt, but the ancient Greeks thought they were the familiars of witches, and this continued into early modern times. Was a black cat crossing your path on a mission for the Devil? These ideas still affect how we think of black cats today – they are typically the least likely to be adopted!
Let’s celebrate black cats today on Halloween!

On Thursday the 31st of October, the Friends of Museum & Art Swindon are hosting a talk with Harriet Still, Curator of Hardy's Wessex. Meet the real Thomas Hardy through his most personal objects. Journey through Hardy’s life, family and social beliefs, by looking at the things he left behind.

To find out more and to book your tickets visit:
https://www.museumartswindon.com/whats-on/friends-talk-thomas-hardys-wessex/

This we’re celebrating the largest item in our History of Swindon Gallery ‘Friends, Romans, Swindonians’.

Measuring 60cm high by 50cm wide, this vessel is an impressive item. It is often referred to as the Highworth Pot, due to the location of its excavation. Analysis of the interior residue suggests that it was used to store milk or butter, and it likely would have been sunk into the ground to keep the contents cool.

The pot is interesting to look at because it has six large rivets. That it was excavated with a historical repair indicates its importance, and a preference for mending items rather than throwing them away.

Plan your visit to , and explore the amazing History of Swindon galleries!

https://www.museumartswindon.com/visit/plan-your-visit/

It’s Dinosaur Week at Museum & Art Swindon and these are just some of the amazing Dinosaur themed items available to purchase in our shop.
From soft toy dinosaurs and dinosaur themed books to jewellery made from dinosaur fossils!
Shop in person at Museum & Art Swindon or online at: https://www.museumartswindon.com/shop/shop-online/

Soft Toy Dinosaurs: https://www.museumartswindon.com/shop/shop-online/toys/

Dinosaur Bone Pendant: https://www.museumartswindon.com/shop/shop-online/jewellery/dinosaur-bone-pendant/

Don't Tickle The T-Rex Book: https://www.museumartswindon.com/shop/shop-online/books/dont-tickle-the-t-rex/

October Half Term is just around the corner! 🍂🍁

Visit Lydiard House Museum on Thursday 31st October for a Mask Making Family Activity. Collect some colourful leaves on your walk around Lydiard Park, then drop into the museum and use them to make a fun, scary or animal mask.

Free with museum entry. Admission costs £6.30 for an adult and £3.45 for a child. Under 3s go free! Family tickets are also available.

Drop-in between 11am and 2:30pm to take part.

✨ Ready for some half-term fun? Join us at the STEAM Museum next week for an adventure packed with creativity and discovery! Bring your friends and family to explore interactive exhibits, hands-on activities, and so much more.

In addition, join us on Wednesday the 30th for an exciting poster making workshop, perfect for all the family. Included in admission!

Let’s make some awesome memories together!
Book your tickets at:
https://www.steam-museum.org.uk/event/half-term-activity-poster-design/

This week is Dinosaur Week!
Don’t miss out on the amazing activities we have on offer this half term from dinosaur trails to handling dinosaur bones and making your own pet dinosaur!
There is plenty of fun to be had for all the family.

Find out more at:
https://www.museumartswindon.com/whats-on/dinosaur-week/

Today marks the end of Daylight Savings Time in the UK. With the clocks “falling back” by an hour, why not stop by Museum & Art Swindon to absorb the autumnal vibes of Mary Potter’s Burning the Leaves, displayed as part of our Foundations: The Bomford and Phelps Gifts?

In this quietly atmospheric painting, Mary Potter (1900-1981) depicts a view of her garden in Aldeburgh, Suffolk, where she lived between 1951 and 1957. Using a minimalist palette of warm neutrals and earthy greens, Potter shows the gardener raking leaves into a burning pile to their right. Soft white smoke from the heap, consumes the gardener at work and surrounding trees.

Mary Potter, Burning the Leaves, 1955, Oil on canvas, 711x813mm, ©Estate of Mary Potter

Our new exhibitions ‘Hardy’s Wessex’ and ‘Wessex Landscapes’ are now open!
Come and view these amazing exhibitions inspired by the writer Thomas Hardy.
These exhibitions are FREE to the public along with the rest of our permanent displays.

Find out more here:
https://www.museumartswindon.com/whats-on/hardy%E2%80%99s-wessex/

With thanks to our partners: Wessex Museums, Dorset Museum, Poole Museum, Wiltshire Museum and Salisbury Museum.

Pictured artwork is available to view in Wessex Landscapes.

It’s and as part of our Arts Council England funded Unlocking Collections project Out on the Town, we’ve been exploring our 1950s and 60s programmes from the Swindon Amateur Light Operatic Society. was formed in 1952 at the Mechanics Institute. Are we stretching it a bit? not ? We don’t think so! And watch this space for news of a new exhibition all about entertainment in at Museum & Art Swindon in the Spring.

Dinosaur on the loose! 🦖🦕
One of our dinosaurs escaped from Museum & Art Swindon yesterday and went exploring around town!
He met lots of lovely people, read some dinosaur books in Central Library, shopped at the Brunel, and even played pool with the fab volunteers at Swindon Hub!

Next week he’ll be back at the Museum for Dinosaur Week! Visitors can try a Dinosaur Trail around the Museum, make a giant dinosaur sculpture, dress up as a dinosaur, get creative with Dino Drawing, or see some real dinosaur bones discovered in Swindon. All for FREE!

Dinosaur Week is at Museum & Art Swindon from Sat 26th Oct until Sat 2nd Nov.
The Museum is open Tues to Sat 10.30am to 4.30pm with free entry. The Museum is over the road from the Wyvern Theatre, in the Swindon Borough Council Civic Building.

More information on visiting at www.museumartswindon.com/whats-on/dinosaur-week/

There’s loads of fun to be had at Museum & Art Swindon over half term! ⁠
These teeth belonged to bone-crunching sea monsters called pliosaurs, which swam in Swindon’s tropical seas over 155 million years ago! They could grow up to 15 metres long!⁠
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Dinosaur Week starts on 26th October, so why not try one of our new family trails to explore the galleries, or try one of our free activity packs. There’s also lots of hands-on activities to try in the galleries.⁠
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Museum entrance is FREE! Museum & Art Swindon is open Tues to Sat 10.30am to 4.30pm. Plan your visit here ⁠
https://www.museumartswindon.com/visit/plan-your-visit/⁠
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We look forward to seeing you soon!

Our new exhibition ‘Foundations: The Bomford and Phelps Gifts’ features many artworks that were generously donated by two local collectors which provided the bedrock of Museum & Art Swindon’s modern & contemporary British art collection.

One such artwork on display is: ⁠ The Port of Bristol, by Paul Methuen.

This display is FREE to view along with the rest of the museum. Plan your visit today and explore our world class collections.⁠
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https://www.museumartswindon.com/visit/plan-your-visit/

Next Week is Dinosaur Week at Museum & Art Swindon and we’ll be celebrating all things prehistoric with our free dinosaur trails and our immersive Meet the Dinosaurs workshop. There’s also the opportunity to craft your own pet wooden dinosaur in our creative workshop!

Dinosaur Week is suitable for ages 4+, with something for everyone, including adults!

Find out more and book your place:
https://www.museumartswindon.com/whats-on/

Swindon Museums Offer Half-Term Fun for Families This October half-term, families in Swindon have a chance to dive into the town’s rich and varied history, thanks to an exciting range of activities hosted across the town’s three main museums. Fro…

Edward Wadsworth was born on this day in 1889. His artwork ‘Bright Intervals’ is on loan to Pallant House Gallery as part of their exhibition ‘The Shape of Things: Still Life in Britain’, which ends tomorrow!

If you haven’t had the chance to see the exhibition, take a look at our blogpost Pallant House’s website, along with filmed close-ups of the painting - https://pallant.org.uk/perspectives-bright-intervals-edward-wadsworth/

Edward Wadsworth (1889-1949), Bright Intervals, 1928, Tempera on canvas, Museum & Art Swindon

🐾🦖 Are you ready to unleash your inner palaeontologist this half term? 🎉 Grab your ticket for ‘Make a Pet Dinosaur’ and get ready for a dino-mite experience! 🦕✨ Don’t miss out on the fun—let's create some prehistoric pals together! 🥳💚
Get your tickets here:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/make-a-pet-dinosaur-tickets-1029788153087

In celebration of we’re offering a sneak peak of this artwork, which will be on display in our upcoming exhibition !

‘Turnip Harvest’ was painted by Harold Dearden (1888-1969) in the mid-1900s. It shows different means of agricultural production, from manual labour to modern technologies, against the rolling hills of the Marlborough Downs.

‘Wessex Landscapes’ begins on 26 October.

Harold Dearden, Turnip Harvest, Undated, Oil on canvas, ©Estate of Harold Dearden

We were thrilled to welcome a large and enthusiastic group of volunteers to our Arts Council England Unlocking Collections project last week! Over 50 people have signed-up to help us research the important collections that we hold at Swindon Museum and Art Gallery. We can’t wait to see what our new research teams discover over the next 10 months!