Rugby Art Gallery and Museum

Named after the Site Director of the Tripontium excavations, The Jack Lucas Gallery at Rugby Art Gallery and Museum hosts a collection of Roman artefacts found at the nearby settlement of Tripontium.

Among the many exhibits on display in this gallery are a full skeleton of a human girl and a beautifully detailed belt-buckle depicting two peacocks by a tree. Both of these finds have been dated to the fourth century AD. Also present are Roman coins, tools and pots as well as an intact milestone.

This gallery also includes information on the history of the Rugby Archaeological Society.

Suitable for

• Any age
• Family friendly

Where

Rugby Art Gallery and Museum

Website

http://www.RAGM.org.uk

The Social History Gallery at Rugby Museum tells the story of the people who lived (or live) in Rugby. Objects in this exhibition have been generously donated from local people and the collection continues to grow and change all the time.

The Gallery is divided into four sections focusing on different areas of peoples lives with the Community Life area focusing on establishments and events that brought people in the town together, including Schools, Sports, Clubs and objects from the Royal Warwickshire Regiment and both world wars.
The Domestic and Family Life display contains objects that reflect the dedication to home life and includes games and toys, kitchenware and newspaper cuttings. The Personal Life case however, holds objects that would have belonged to one individual and been important to them such as scrapbooks, diaries, samplers and photograph albums.
Finally the Working Life area focuses on industries that made Rugby a recognised name all over the world. Objects from factories such as Willans and Robinson, British Thomson Houston and British Rail.

There are various other objects in the museum and an interactive kiosk for your information.

Suitable for

• Any age
• Family friendly

Where

Rugby Art Gallery and Museum

Website

http://www.ragm.org.uk

Painter Iris Anne Berger will present a body of work looking at the story of Anne Frank and the Holocaust.

The Anne Frank Series of paintings was inspired by Iris’s response to Anne Frank’s Diary and by a visit she made to the house in Amsterdam where Anne Frank and her family hid from the Nazis during World War Two. Through the depiction of Anne’s "inner life" – her feelings and thoughts, and her external circumstances, constituted by the physical reality of the camp she eventually was taken to – the paintings strive to capture the opposition between hope and despair. Alongside this series are a selection of paintings looking at contemporary issues relating to refugees and human dislocation.

At the centre of the exhibition will be an area where there is the opportunity to try several free activities that more fully explore some of the ideas within the exhibition, such as what it would have been like to have lived in hiding. Explore and reflect on these themes through this interactive area focusing on Anne Frank’s secret attic and refugee journeys.

School teacher packs and school workshops are available linking to this exhibition.

Suitable for

• Any age

Website

http://www.ragm.org.uk

The Rugby Collection holds works by many well-known 20th century and contemporary artists including Stanley Spencer, Bridget Riley, Barbara Hepworth, L.S Lowry and AK Dolven.

For 2014 the exhibition will focus on conservation and how the art gallery looks after the art works in its care. Visitors to the 2013 Rugby Collection exhibition were asked what they would like to know about collections care and we will endeavour to answer those questions through a vibrant, informative and interactive display. "Why are some paintings behind glass?" "Does a camera flash damage a picture?" "How long does an oil painting last?" Answers to these questions and many more will be tackled by the art gallery staff.

This year the art gallery is also pleased to present a selection of new art works made in response to pieces in the Rugby Collection by local artists from the Alchemy group.

Suitable for

• Any age
• Family friendly

Where

Rugby Art Gallery and Museum

Website

http://www.ragm.org.uk

Exploring the theme of art and philanthropy in developing public collections, a year-long series of Contemporary Art Society displays has been developed that seeks out treasures of regional galleries.

Curated by Arts Council England Curatorial Fellows, in collaboration with the Contemporary Art Society and the Whitechapel Gallery, the series of displays is supported by a touring exhibition, related talks and publication of essays.

The exhibition ‘The Best is Not Too Good For You’ has been curated by Ingrid Swenson. It considers notions of value though the selection of fine and applied art objects with a particular concentration on ceramics and pop art from collections across the Midlands. The focus is not how much something may be worth, but how images and objects that fill our lives can be outward demonstrations of who we are in the world – what we think, and believe in.

This event is part of the Rugby Festival of Culture 27 June – 13 July 2014.

Suitable for

• Any age

Website

http://www.ragm.org.uk

Japanese furoshiki are square shaped textile cloths that are used to wrap and carry different types of everyday goods or gifts for a special occassion.

As well as being a very flexible way of carrying around items furoshiki can also be beautifully adorned with embroidery or stained or printed with delicate patterns rich with symbolism.

The exhibition display will include historical and contemporary furoshiki cloths. There are hundreds of ways of using furoshiki and myriad ways of wrapping, folding and tying them. The exhibition will present several examples of wrapping techniques and there will be practical advice on hand on how to go about wrapping a furoshiki of your own. Alongside the furoshiki will be contextual materials such as textile dyeing paper stencils, photographs and Japanese prints.

From wrapping up your lunch box to take to the office, making a flexible bag for day to day use or a night out on the town, or a unique way of wrapping a gift to make it an extra special present, furoshiki offer a unique way of carrying around our every-day essentials that is also very eco-friendly. We will also be exploring in the display how furoshiki offer a great alternative to using plastic bags. Come along to the exhibition to learn more about this very original Japanese custom and learn how to make your very own furoshiki.

Curated by Michele Walker.

image: Three panelled furoshiki (detail), cotton, with tsutugaki decoration of the crane and turtle. 1890’s. 83 x 79, © Royal Pavilion & Museums, Brighton & Hove.

The exhibition includes FREE drop in activities and bookable workshops as well as a day of FREE drawing workshops for The Big Draw in October. Please see our website for more details.

Suitable for

• Any age

The annual Rugby Open exhibition presents the best artwork from the area. Artists based within a 15 mile radius of Rugby Art Gallery and Museum will display work in a variety of media from painting and photography to ceramics, textiles and 3-D work.
Many of the works are for sale, providing an ideal opportunity to purchase a unique Christmas gift.
A range of prizes are supported by local businesses and Rugby Art Gallery and Museum will offer the first prize of an exhibition in Floor One Gallery along with a People's Choice prize.

PLEASE NOTE: dates currently subject to change. please check in late 2014 for confirmed dates.

Suitable for

• Any age
• Family friendly

Where

Rugby Art Gallery & Museum

Admission

FREE

Website

http://www.ragm.org.uk

Make a colourful and unique piece of jewellery inspired by our Roman jewellery display in the Museum.

Drop in activity for under 5's. Parents must accompany children.

For more information call: (01788) 533201, visit: www.ragm.org.uk, find rugby art gallery and museum on Facebook or follow @RugbyGallery on twitter

Suitable for

• 0-4

Website

http://www.ragm.org.uk

Join us at Rugby Art Gallery and Museum for the national Big Draw event.

For more information call: (01788) 533201, visit: www.ragm.org.uk, find rugby art gallery and museum on Facebook or follow @RugbyGallery on twitter

Suitable for

• Any age
• Family friendly

Website

http://www.ragm.org.uk