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Education is a Big Draw
at the Turnpike
As the sun sets on a busy summer
the Turnpike Gallery, Leigh is heading for its busiest autumn ever. There is
something for everyone in October with a variety of educational exhibitions and
events to celebrate the Big Draw, Black History Month and Family Learning Week.
Saturday 1st October sees the opening of an exhibition by artist in residence,
Elaine Brett, entitled Links Revisited. A special opening event will take place
at 12pm on Saturday 1 October, the weeklong exhibition runs until 8th October.
Elaine has developed an installation of large, colourful papier-maché roses,
based on the theme of Chakras. Students from Bedford High School have been
involved in the project, assisting the artist with making the sculptures and
considering the practical aspects of organising an exhibition.
“Thanks again to the support of ‘Aimhigher’, the Turnpike has been able to offer
Elaine the chance to make a unique piece of art. It also enables Year 9 and 10
students first hand experience of making work for an exhibition and assisting
with the ‘behind the scenes’ tasks of staging a show at the Gallery,” says Wigan
Leisure and Culture Trust’s, Visual Arts Officer, Martyn Lucas. “The Turnpike is
committed to offering opportunities to young people, and the partnership with
Aimhigher has enabled some great projects with professional artists.”
The Turnpike Gallery will help celebrate Family Learning Week (8th to 16th
October) with a special ‘Stay and Play’ workshop on Saturday 8th October. Artist
Adela Jones will be leading some exciting art activities for families in the
Gallery from 10.30-12.30pm. Admission is free.
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To celebrate Black History Month in October and Kick Racism Out Of Football (KROOF),
the Stairs Gallery will be hosting an exhibition of the History of Black
Footballers in Britain from 10th to 22nd October. KROOF events are planned
across the borough, including an art and football workshop at the Turnpike on
Saturday 22nd October.
The Turnpike is also delighted to be taking part in the national Big Draw again.
Galleries across the country are organising special drawing events during
October, and there will be a drop-in workshop for families at the Gallery on
Saturday 15th October 10.30-12.30pm.
In the Foyer of the Turnpike Centre, artist Jon Burgerman will be making a huge
window drawing from 9am to 4pm. At noon, the main gallery will witness the
opening of an intriguing exhibition called ‘Waste Material’ from the Drawing
Room in London. It presents the work of contemporary artists alongside a drawing
by surrealist Yves Tanguy and a nineteenth century lithograph by Georg Scharf
from the Natural History Museum.
Waste Material is about time, matter and the imaginary. The exhibition features
a papier-mache stepladder home to numerous insects; a prehistoric landscape
populated by voracious dinosaurs; delicate leaves on the floor made from wood
and those who look closely will find their expectations are challenged.
Alongside the exhibition will be a ‘drawing room’ where visitors can further
exercise their imagination. Linking with the national Big Draw, drawing
activities for children and families will be provided and a programme of
workshops offered throughout the month. Life Drawing workshops for adults also
return in October, back by popular demand.
“October is certainly a month of opportunity at the Turnpike,” continues Martyn.
“It will be a very busy month, but it is great that we can offer such a range of
visual experience and activities for everyone in such a short space of time.
For more details about the exhibitions, events and workshops, please contact
Martyn Lucas or Louise Clennell at the gallery on 01942 404469 or
turnpikegallery@wlct.org.
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NOTES TO EDITORS: For further information on this News Release please contact
Chris Dunbar, Public Relations Officer, Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust on 01942
486937 or at c.dunbar@wlct.org.
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