The Lightbox
The Lightbox is the award winning gallery and museum in Woking, Surrey, where there is something for everyone. Whether you’re passionate about the arts and history, want activities and fun, or would just like somewhere quiet to relax and think, you’ll find it all at The Lightbox.
The stunning building designed by Marks Barfield Architects boasts two spacious galleries and a number of side galleries, hosting a wide range of free exhibitions, changing regularly. The Lightbox is also home to Woking's Story, the interactive museum of the town's history from the 19th Century to the present day. If you’re visiting with children you’ll find plenty to keep them occupied and entertained.
Enjoy the changing displays around the building from the prestigious Ingram Collection of Modern British Art , which is on long-term loan to The Lightbox from Woking businessman, Chris Ingram and includes works by Anthony Caro, Eduardo Paolozzi, Elisabeth Frink and Barbara Hepworth.
In addition to the changing exhibitions and displays, The Lightbox runs an extensive education and events programme, meaning there is always something different to experience.
A visit can be completed with a delicious meal or coffee at the canal-side cafe, or browsing for that special gift in the gift shop which stocks a wide range of beautiful gifts including handmade work by local designer-makers.
Venue Type:
Museum, Gallery, Heritage site
Woking's Story
- 1 November 2014 — 1 November 2018 *on now
Woking's Story is a permanent museum at The Lightbox which explores the town's fascinating history covering themes such as the 'mad, the bad and the dead'. This family friendly space has something for everyone, from a fun children's dressing up box to the moving stories of local people.
The museum has eight main displays which are interactive and some have oral history listening points. You can discover people’s personal memories of life in the town and watch historic films. Have you ever wondered about what life in Woking used to be like? Or how the town came to be the way it is today?
Tours of Woking's Story can be arranged if booked in advance.
Website
http://www.thelightbox.org.uk/wokings-story
Face to Face: The Figurative Sculpture of Sean Henry
- 12 August — 5 November 2017 *on now
Internationally recognised sculptor Sean Henry returns to Woking, the place of his birth, with a show of artwork made over the last 15 years which will be exhibited both at the gallery and in outdoor locations across the centre of town. Henry’s work is highly realistic and essentially modern in its choice of subject matter, colour and materials. His figures – often anonymous men and women - have an emphatic physicality which allows room for the viewer to draw their own interpretations, while deliberate changes to scale and colour imbue his figures with a powerful interiority and ‘presence’.
Suitable for
- Any age
Admission
£4.50 Day Pass or £7.50 Annual Pass | Under 18s Free
Website
http://www.thelightbox.org.uk/face-to-face-the-figurative-sculpture-of-sean-henry
Turner in Surrey
- 14 October 2017 — 7 January 2018 *on now
The exhibition will explore how Turner retreated into nature, capturing both the beauty of the landscape and its rustic elegance. Open air sketches highlighting his swiftness of hand and the changing effects of nature will sit alongside finished works, completed in the studio. Combining pencil and oil sketches, finished oils and watercolours, the exhibition will feature ‘Newark Abbey on the Wey’ and ‘View of Richmond Hill and Bridge’ from Tate, and ‘Thomson’s Aeolian Harp’ from Manchester Art Gallery. The exhibition will also give a rare opportunity to see personal possessions of the artist – his fishing rod, travelling watercolour box and watercolour palette – from The Royal Academy of Arts.
18 November 2017 – 4 March 2018
£4.50 Day Pass or £7.50 Annual Pass | Under 18s Free
Suitable for
- Any age
Admission
£4.50 Day Pass or £7.50 Annual Pass | Under 18s Free
Website
https://www.thelightbox.org.uk/turner-in-surrey
The Lightbox Photographic Open
- 19 October 2017 6:30-8:30pm
Photographers of all ages and abilities across the United Kingdom have submitted their work to The Lightbox Photographic Open Competition. In keeping with our ten year anniversary in 2017, this year we invited entries on the theme of 'Celebration and Anniversary'.
At this exhibition Private View, prizes will be awarded for ‘Best in Show’, a ‘Young Photographer's Prize’ (13-17 years) and ‘The People's Prize’.
Attendees of the Private View are also granted free entry to the Main Gallery on the evening. Stop by early and enjoy delicious tapas from Seasons Cafe and Kitchen, explore our popular exhibition, or browse the Shop filled with locally hand-crafted gifts.
Thurs 19 October 2017 | 6.30pm - 8.30pm
£5 per ticket
Suitable for
- Any age
Admission
£5
Website
https://www.thelightbox.org.uk/Event/photoprivateview
Life Drawing in the Gallery
- 19 October 2017 6:30-8:30pm
Join artist Ali Mirmak who will take participants through a range of experimental techniques and processes commonly used by professional artists. You will then concentrate on producing a detailed tonal study of a figure.
This class is suitable for both absolute beginners and the more experienced life drawer.
Thurs 19 October 2017, 6.30pm – 8.30pm
£25 Adults | £22 Friends
Admission
£25 Adults | £22 Friends
Website
https://www.thelightbox.org.uk/Event/life-drawing-in-the-gallery-19-oct-17
Discover Surrey Tour: Guildford Cathedral and The Lightbox
- 19 October 2017 11:15am-5:15pm
Guildford Cathedral is a beautiful, inspiring and contemporary place of stillness, prayer, pilgrimage and daily choral worship.
Arrive at The Lightbox at 11am to start you guided tour from one of our expert guides of our Sean Henry exhibition. This will be followed by a buffet lunch in our remarkable Ambassador Room, which boasts great views over the Basingstoke canal. After lunch you will depart for Guildford Cathedral, where you will receive a guided tour of this fabulous modern cathedral. Once you arrive back at The Lightbox why not take advantage of Lightbox Lates. Enjoy tapas in our season café, browse our award winning gift shop and use your free day pass to visit all our galleries.
Advance booking essential.
Admission
£35 Adults | £32 Friends
Website
http://www.thelightbox.org.uk/Event/discover-surrey-tour-guildford-cathedral-and-the-lightbox
Halloween Food and Film Night
- 31 October 2017 7:30-10:45pm
Ghoul-ash and Blood-y Marys are on the menu this Halloween for our showing of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Chef Neil will warm you up with a filling scream-themed supper. Dress up or down, the choice is yours. Advance booking essential.
On the Menu:
Beef and vegetable ‘ghoul’ash, sweet and sticky ribs, roasted garlic and herb new potatoes, devilled pumpkin croquettes, cauldron of mussels, roasted pumpkin couscous – served in a hollow pumpkin, and a selection of breads and devilish dips.
Tuesday 31 October 2017, food served 7.30pm, film starts 9.00pm (approx.)
£19 Adult | £16 Friends
Suitable for
- 18+
Admission
£19 Adult | £16 Friends
Website
https://www.thelightbox.org.uk/Event/halloween-food-and-film-night
Print-Making Masterclass: Wood Block and Screen Printing
- 4 November 2017 10:30am-4pm
Wood Block Printing & Screen Printing:
The morning will be spent carving into wood and printing this onto a range of papers. These prints will be the starting point to the afternoon workshop where you will create hand cut stencils for screen printing. The two complementary workshops are designed to encourage you to learn a new skill and to continue the craft at home.
Bring design ideas and items to print onto for the experimental print workshop (cotton or linen).
Saturday 4 Nov 2017, 10.30am – 4.00pm
Suitable for
- 18+
Admission
£50 adults | £44 Friends for one day
£55 adults with lunch | £49 Friends with lunch for one day
Also available: Drawing and Collage, Mono Printing and Gelli Printing | Sat 11 Nov
For both days: £90 adults | £82 friends - please call 01483 737800 to book both days
Website
https://www.thelightbox.org.uk/Event/print-making-masterclass-wood-block-and-screen-printing
Discover Surrey Tour: WWF Living Planet Centre and The Lightbox
- 16 November 2017 11:30-3:45am
WWF works to protect rivers, forests, climate & oceans. It's all about people & nature living in harmony. The Living Planet Centre is one of the greenest buildings in the UK, it is not only the heart of the WWF charity, but also a beautiful education and visitor centre.
With two great attractions on the same canal why travel anywhere else. Start you day with a tour led by an experienced Lightbox guide through The Lightbox Photographic exhibition. Followed by a buffet lunch in our Ambassador Room which houses great views of the Basingstoke canal and the WWF building which will make up the second half of your day. Once you have made your way over to the WWF building you will receive a guided tour of the building with behind the scenes access and insight into the workings of WWF. When your tour has finished you are welcome to make your back to The Lightbox and experience Lightbox lates, and with your free day pass enjoy all our amazing galleries and the art work on display. Why not stay for some tapas in our season café and browse our award winning gift shop.
Admission
£15 Adults | £12 Friends
Website
https://www.thelightbox.org.uk/Event/discover-surrey-tour-wwf-living-planet-centre-and-the-lightbox
Arts and Craft Fair
- 18 — 19 November 2017 10:30am-5pm
Visiting the Arts and Craft Fair is the perfect way to begin your Christmas shopping. Featuring a variety of handmade crafts including jewellery, paintings, glasswork and ceramics. Enjoy mulled wine, mince pies and live music, whilst browsing the original gifts on sale.
Sat 18 November 2017, 10.30am – 5.00pm
Sun 19 November 2017, 11.00am – 4.00pm
Free entry to the Fair | Donations welcome
Back for 2017, our popular Arts and Craft Fair is also now open for stall bookings!
Are you a local artist or designer? Do you make your own ceramics, art, illustration, jewellery, fashion, or homewares? Then get in touch about booking a stall at the fair.
Stalls are available at:
£100 for two days
£60 for one day
Please visit the website to find out more:
Website
https://www.thelightbox.org.uk/Event/arts-and-craft-fair-2017
Discover Surrey Tour: Camberley Theatre Christmas Pantomime and The Lightbox
- 21 December 2017 10:30am-5:15pm
A very Lightbox Christmas
What’s better than a pantomime at Christmas? Why not take a tour of our Turner in Surrey exhibition beforehand. Join one of our expert guides from 10.30am as they show you round our wonderful Turner exhibition. You will enjoy a wonderful Christmas themed buffet lunch in our Ambassador room with its amazing floor to ceiling window giving a great view of the Basingstoke canal. You will then depart for Camberley theatre and watch a matinee performance of their Peter Pan pantomime. Upon arrival back at The Lightbox why not use your free day pass to gain access to the rest of our exhibitions, and with the gallery staying open until 9:30pm why not stay for dinner in Seasons Café and browse our award winning gift shop.
Suitable for
- Family friendly
Admission
£45 Adults | £42 Friends
Website
Brookwood Hospital: A Victorian Community History Box
http://www.thelightbox.org.uk/learning/loanboxes/historyboxes
Specially designed to introduce visitors to Woking's story, this History Box explores how the hospital worked and how patients were treated in Victorian Woking. It contains a pack of suggested activities to do with the objects included. Due to its sensitive subject matter, this box is suitable for pupils aged 11 and up. It contains a pack of suggested activities to do with the objects included.
How to obtain
Contact the Education Team on 01483 737815 or email education@thelightbox.org.uk.
Frames of Refuge
An exhibition being put together by 30 young people, focusing on the experiences of refugees. The presentation incorporates a film using video interviews of refugees carried out by the students, and also students' artwork in response to those interviews. The exhibition, designed by the students, will be shown at the Lightbox in July 2009, at Surrey History Centre in the autumn of 2009 and at the production of 'The Vision', Woking's new community play about refugees and displaced people, in April 1010. It will also be made available as a DVD and on The Lightbox's website.
Creator
- Students at Winston Churchill School, Woking, with the assistance of Rib Davis from The Lightbox.
Publisher
- -
Languages
- -
How to obtain
The exhibition will be viewable without booking or charge.
Oral History Box
http://www.thelightbox.org.uk/learning/loanboxes/historyboxes
Specially designed to introduce visitors to Woking's story, this History Box includes wartime and childhood memories of Woking on CD, together with recording equipment for pupils to carry out their own oral history interviews and a pack of suggested activities. Suitable for all ages.
How to obtain
Contact the Education Team on 01483 737815 or email education@thelightbox.org.uk.
Tours of the Lightbox
http://www.thelightbox.org.uk/about/toursofthelightbox
Take a close-up look at the architecture of the building, enjoy views of Woking from different angles, and find out why certain design decisions were taken.
Discover Woking’s Story and marvel at the design features incorporated to make the 2000sqm space an excellent display area for a personal collection of modern British art, including renowned sculptures.
Visitors will see why the stunning building has been highly acclaimed in the media and was voted Museum of the Year and won the prestigious Art Fund Prize 2008 as well as the RIBA SE award.
How to obtain
The 30 minute tours, held on the first and third Tuesday of every month, are hosted by one of The Lightbox’s team of dedicated volunteers and begin at 11am. Numbers are limited, but although the tours are free, pre-booking is required through reception or on the booking line: 01483 737837.
World War II in Woking
http://www.thelightbox.org.uk/learning/schoolvisits/schoolvisitactivities
Learn about what life was like in Woking during World War II and take part in a WWII themed workshop activity.
How to obtain
This activity session costs £60 and will last approximately two hours. It includes a hands-on creative workshop in our education studio and a visit to the relevant exhibition. If you would like to discuss your individual requirements then please contact the Education Team on 01483 737815 or email education@thelightbox.org.uk.
The Lightbox
Chobham Road
Woking
Surrey
GU21 4AA
England
Website
Telephone
01483 737800
Fax
01483 764369
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