Herbert Art Gallery and Museum

Recording Britain

• 30 January — 26 April 2015 *on now

In the winter of 1939 an extraordinary art project was begun. Beneath the spectres of invasion and aerial bombing, the Scheme for Recording the Changing Face of Britain rapidly commissioned artists to paint ‘places and buildings of characteristic national interest’. The resulting collection of over 1500 paintings created a remarkable, yet highly selective, snapshot of a fast-changing country.

Now held by the Victoria and Albert Museum, Recording Britain features many beautiful watercolours by prolific artists such as John Piper and Kenneth Rowntree, along with a host of lesser-known contributors. By focusing on quiet corners and local scenes Recording Britain takes us off the beaten track of iconic British landmarks and postcard images.

In addition to works from the original collection, the exhibition will feature a host of contemporary works including paintings and photographs by Conrad Atkinson, Richard Long, David Nash and Laura Oldfield Ford. Shown alongside these will be works from the Herbert’s collections, depicting the landscape of Coventry and Warwickshire.

Exhibition organised by the Victoria and Albert Museum, London.

New Art West Midlands

• 14 February — 31 May 2015

New Art West Midlands 2015 showcases exciting new work from artists who have recently graduated from art schools in the region.

Painting, sculpture, photography and film are represented in the exhibition, demonstrating a variety of artistic approaches, influences and ideas. The exhibition will be taking place across three other partnership venues: Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, The Barber Institute of Fine Arts and Wolverhampton Art Gallery.

Website

http://www.theherbert.org/whats-on/events-exhibitions/new-art-west-midlands

Artists Talk: John Yeadon - Reflections on National Identity

• 3 February 2015 12:30-1:30pm

John Yeadon talks about national identity through landscape painting, in connection with the Recording Britain exhibition and his recent exhibition ENGLANDIA.

John Yeadon believes that there is no such thing as the national character as if it is permanently fixed in the fabric of our cultural DNA. National identity is a myth and Englishness a construct. In his paintings England is the myth.

Booking is not required.

Website

http://www.theherbert.org/whats-on/events-exhibitions/artists-talk-john-yeadon-reflections-on-national-identity

Artist’s Talk: Laura Oldfield Ford

• 5 February 2015 6-7pm

Join Laura Oldfield Ford as she talks about her work relating to the fields of contested space, landscape, architecture and memory.

Her work crosses the disciplines of drawing, painting, writing, sound and photography and draws on her experiences of political and subcultural scenes.

Booking is required, please go to www.theherbert.org.

Admission

Website

http://www.theherbert.org/whats-on/events-exhibitions/artist%E2%80%99s-talk-laura-oldfield-ford

ensemble 1685

• 12 February 2015 12:30-1:30pm
• 12 March 2015 12:30-1:30pm
• 9 April 2015 12:30-1:30pm

Join the wonderful ensemble 1685 for a musical performance to uplift and inspire.

ensemble 1685 is a singers' group, based in Coventry, which has built a reputation for innovative encounters with vocal music, unplugged, from across a thousand years of Western history. Their music, performed live in a flexible and informal way, can surprise and comfort listeners at every level.

Booking is not required.

Website

http://www.theherbert.org/whats-on/events-exhibitions/ensemble-1685-6

Half Term at Herbert Art Gallery & Museum: Exciting Expeditions

• 14 — 22 February 2015

Escape the winter weather and join us on a voyage of discovery. Imagine you were the first ever person to discover Coventry…your mission as official expedition artist is to record all the new and exciting sights and specimens!
All activities are drop in unless otherwise stated. Content suitable for 5+ but all are welcome.

Saturday 14 & Sunday 15 February
Clay faces - £5
Sat: 10.30am-12.00pm
Sun: 12.00pm - 1.30pm
Get hands-on and sculpt a face from clay in our popular workshop for older children.
Suitable for age 8+. Pre booking and payment is required. Please call 024 7623 7521.

Monday 16 February
Expedition Specimens - £1
10.30am - 12.30pm & 1.30pm - 3.30pm
Using our Natural History collection as inspiration, make a 3D model from craft materials and a small case in which to store it.

Tuesday 17 February
Fluorescent landscapes - £1
10.30am - 12.30pm & 1.30pm - 3.30pm
Create a stylish art work inspired by our local urban landscapes using collage, fluorescent colours and black and white images.

Wednesday 18 February
Terrific Telescopes - £1
10.30am - 12.30pm & 1.30pm - 3.30pm
An essential for any explorer, make a telescope to use on your expedition!

Thursday 19 February
Fanciful Flora and Fauna - £1
10.30am - 12.30pm & 1.30pm - 3.30pm
Using watercolours, create a beautiful artwork which documents the local flora and fauna.

Friday 20 February
Marvellous Maps - £1
10.30am - 12.30pm & 1.30pm - 3.30pm
Design a map to take on your journey, and using a clever art technique, age it to make it look like it’s been used on a real expedition.

Saturday 21 February
Coventry Collages with Laura Oldfield Ford FREE
Workshop 1: 10.30am-12.30pm
Workshop 2: 2.00pm-4.00pm
Working with artist Laura Oldfield Ford, families will explore the architecture of our everyday life and use drawing and collage to create artworks about how we want our environment to look in the future.
Suitable for 8+. Booking essential please call 024 7623 7521.

Sunday 22 February
Clay faces £5
12.00pm - 1.30pm
Get hands-on and sculpt a face from clay in our popular workshop for older children.
Suitable for age 8+. Pre booking and payment is required. Please call 024 7623 7521.

Suitable for

• Family friendly
• Especially for children

Admission

Website

http://www.theherbert.org/whats-on/events-exhibitions/february-half-term-exciting-expeditions

Half Term at the Priory Visitor Centre

• 16 — 20 February 2015

Medieval Detective Agency: Riddle of the Relics

The Priory Relics have gone missing and someone in the Monastery is not who they appear to be! You must go undercover and reveal the culprit…make your disguise, gather your detective kit, and follow the clues to solve the mystery.
Drop in. Suitable for age 5+ but all are welcome.

Suitable for

• Family friendly
• Especially for children

Website

http://www.prioryvisitorcentre.org/

Herbert Illuminations: Women Factory Workers in the Second World War

• 17 February 2015 12:30-1:30pm

During the Second World War women were recruited on a large scale to meet the labour shortage created by men going to war.

Coventry’s major role in industry at the time meant that large numbers of women were engaged in war work in factories in the city. This talk, with the Herbert’s Charlene Price, will explore how women were recruited into the factories in Coventry, their pay and working conditions, how their work was balanced with home life and what happened to the factory workers at the end of the war.

Booking is not required.

Website

http://www.theherbert.org/whats-on/events-exhibitions/herbert-illuminations-women-factory-workers-second-world-war

Coventry Collages with Laura Oldfield Ford

• 21 February 2015 10:30am-12:30pm, 2-4pm

A fantastic opportunity to work with Laura Oldfield Ford, exhibiting artist from our Recording Britain exhibition.

Families will be invited to explore the architecture of our everyday life, homes, shops, schools, parks and streets. Using drawing and collage, participants will create artworks to take home about how we might want our built environment to look in the future.

Suitable for 8+ only.
Workshop lasts 2 hours.
Booking is required, please go to www.theherbert.org

Suitable for

• Family friendly

Admission

Website

http://www.theherbert.org/whats-on/events-exhibitions/coventry-collages-laura-oldfield-ford

The Life and Loves of Queen Bess – Elizabeth I in the Coventry History Centre Archive

• 3 March 2015 1-2:15pm
• 24 March 2015 1-2:15pm

A special opportunity to see original documents from the Coventry Borough Archive related to Elizabeth I including one with her famous signature.

Coventry History Centre holds an extraordinary collection of historical documents and this event will showcase some these rarely seen gems, presented and discussed by leading experts

Booking is required, please go to www.theherbert.org.
Children aged 15+ may find this interesting but it is primarily for adults.

Suitable for

• 16-17
• 18+

Admission

Website

http://www.theherbert.org/whats-on/events-exhibitions/life-and-loves-queen-bess-%E2%80%93-elizabeth-i-coventry-history-centre-archive

Early Years Play Days

• 5 March 2015 10:30-11:30am, 1-2pm
• 6 March 2015 10:30-11:30am, 1-2pm

Continuing our work with early years, Play Day's gives children aged 1-3 an opportunity to explore and investigate through sensory play.

Using a variety of recycled materials, fabrics and tactile objects each time, we create a relaxed play space that will encourage creativity in children and adults.

Drop in, no booking required.

Suitable for

• 0-4

Admission

Website

http://www.theherbert.org/whats-on/events-exhibitions/early-years-play-days-4

Spring Makes- Craft & Art Fair

• 7 March 2015 10am-4pm

We are very excited to be hosting our first Spring Makes Craft & Art Fair!

Following the success of Making Merry we invite you to jump into spring with a fun and interesting day for all. Be inspired by local craftspeople demonstrating their talents, impressed with the artists' work and treat yourself or someone else to a unique treat.

If you like the idea of making a unique handmade object you’ll find stallholders offering you the opportunity to create under their guidance. Or why not take part in one of our workshops as a gift for yourself or someone else whilst having fun and learning a new skill? We’ll release details about these soon.

Don’t forget Mother’s day is just the week after so come along and find the perfect gift that’s just a bit different from the norm.

If you are an artist or craftsperson who would like to apply for a stall please visit http://www.theherbert.org/whats-on/events-exhibitions/spring-makes-craft-art-fair.

Suitable for

• Family friendly

Admission

Herbert Illumination: Recording Britain Curators Talk

• 17 March 2015 12:30-1:30pm

Join Curator Gill Saunders from the V&A for an insight into the Recording Britain exhibition.

She will also share knowledge about the project which created the work on display, and an introduction to post-war art.

Booking is not required.

Website

http://www.theherbert.org/whats-on/events-exhibitions/herbert-illumination-recording-britain-curators-talk

The Mee Club – Workshop

• 22 March 2015 2-4pm

Discover more about real life storytelling at this workshop led by Cat Weatherall, and learn the skills needed to take part in a storytelling event.

There will be guest slots in The Mee Club on Sunday 29 March to share your own tales with a live audience.
Find out more about The Mee Club on their website www.themeeclub.com

Suitable for adults.
Booking is required, please go to www.theherbert.org.

Suitable for

• Not suitable for children

Admission

Website

http://www.theherbert.org/whats-on/events-exhibitions/mee-club-%E2%80%93-workshop

The Mee Club

• 29 March 2015 2-4pm

A true-life telling event to hear real stories, told straight from the heart, by internationally renowned storyteller Cat Weatherill and other experienced local tellers.

There will be guest slots to share your own tales with a live audience. Stories must be true, about you, no longer than seven minutes and told, not read aloud.

There is a workshop where you can learn more about the skills needed for storytelling on Sunday 22 March.
Find out more about The Mee Club on their website www.themeeclub.com

Suitable for adults.
Booking is required, please go to www.theherbert.org.

Suitable for

• 18+

Admission

Website

http://www.theherbert.org/whats-on/events-exhibitions/mee-club

Painty: Recording Coventry

• 29 March 2015 2-4pm

Artist Craig Gilman will help you get Painty just for fun!

Come and play in a relaxed and fun environment, and create a masterpiece to take home. All materials are provided and no experience is necessary.

Suitable for adults.
Booking is required, please go to www.theherbert.org.

Suitable for

• 18+

Admission

Website

http://www.theherbert.org/whats-on/events-exhibitions/painty-recording-coventry

Easter Holidays: Museum Detectives

• 7 — 17 April 2015

Join us in a series of fun investigations as you become a super sleuth museum detective!

Investigate new ways of working with art materials, examine clues in archaeological finds, and help to solve a crime that has taken place in one of our galleries in a ‘whodun- it’ spectacular!

Events run from Tuesday 7 – Friday 10 & Monday 13 – Friday 17 April.

Drop in. Content suitable for 5+ but all are welcome.
Individual workshop charges may apply.

Suitable for

• Family friendly
• Especially for children

Admission

Herbert Illuminations: Harping On

• 21 April 2015 12:30-1:30pm

Jack Shuttleworth, co-founder of Harpotunities, delves into some passions about the history, culture and future of the harp.

Spanning centuries and continents, this talk will be illustrated by recorded and live music, and give the audience a chance to try out this wonderful instrument afterwards.

Booking is not required.

Website

http://www.theherbert.org/whats-on/events-exhibitions/herbert-illuminations-harping-on