COMPTON Verney Art Gallery and Park opened their doors for free to visitors yesterday (September 10) as part of Heritage Open Days.
The weekend provides one of the last chances to see the current exhibitions The Arts and Crafts House: Then and Now’and ‘The Hart Silversmiths: A Living Tradition which will close on Sunday (September 13).
The Arts & Crafts House traces the origins, legacy and enduring appeal of the historic arts and crafts movement from William Morris to modern day contemporary designers.
The Hart Silversmiths exhibition explores the evolution of a unique living tradition in design and silversmithing, which has roots in the arts and crafts movement.
The country house gallery near Wellesbourne is home to six permanent art collections which include the Chinese Collection, the Neapolitan Collection and exploding volcanoes by Volaire and Lacroix.
The Northern European Collection includes works by Cranach, Schongauer and Tilman Riemenschneider and the British Portraits Collection which showcases British royalty and works by British artists such as Sir Joshua Reynolds.
On the top floor of the gallery visitors can see the largest collection of British Folk Art in the country and the Marx-Lambert Collection. The works in this collection are Enid Marx’s own designs alongside Folk Art objects she collected throughout her life with her friend Margaret Lambert.
This is the first time Compton Verney has taken part in the Heritage Open Days and Director of Compton Verney,
Dr Steven Parissien said: “We hope that this will introduce new people to Compton Verney who can enjoy everything we have to offer.
“We are eager to show visitors that alongside the amazing art, there is also much more for everyone to see and do here making it a wonderful day out.”
VISITORS will be able to find out more about two prominent Leamington buildings over the new few days.
* As part of Heritage Open Days, Warwick District Council will be offering people the chance to go behind the scenes at Leamington Town Hall and the Spa Centre.
People dropping in at the Town Hall today (Friday) from 10am to 5pm, can see the Council Chamber, which is still used for council meetings, and The Assembly Hall, used for a wide range of performances and events. It is also home to home Leamington Town Council.
And the Spa Spa Centre will be offering back stage tours on Saturday (September 12), from 10am to 5pm with live
technical rehearsals at 10am, noon and 2pm. Visitors will be able to learn all about what is involved in staging a production.
Visit www.heritageopendays.org.uk for full details of the events taking place in the area this weekend.
