Gallery Oldham: March events and exhibitions

A HOST of colorful and exciting events and exhibitions will fill Gallery Oldham over the next month.

For more information call 0161 770 4653 or log onto www.galleryoldham.org.uk

Fighting on the fields by Anna FC Smith
Fighting on the fields by Anna FC Smith

Exhibitions
Purring – Sport of the People (Until 9 April)
Anna FC Smith brings her art works and research into the forgotten sport of clog fighting to Gallery Oldham. Smith examines this local sport in which colliers and mill workers would engage in combat, kicking unprotected shins with their metal-soled clogs. These brutal and occasionally lethal matches were only loosely documented by history and Smith is the first person to bring this isolated and new information together. Purring, and its links to Oldham, is exhumed through archival investigation, interviews, art film, drawings, and objects from the archives.

Sculpting stories! (Until Summer 2016)
This exhibition highlights the sculptural delights nestling in the collections of Greater Manchester Museums. The show includes significant names from the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, including works by Elizabeth Frink, Jacob Epstein, Laura Ford and Arthur Dooley from Gallery Oldham’s own collections. Go Figure explores the many and varied ways in which artists have responded to and represented the human form over the past 100 years.

Oldham Stories: Encounters with our collections’ (permanent exhibition)
In response to feedback from our visitors we launch a new permanent exhibition packed full of Oldham stories. This is your chance to see some of our most treasured artefacts alongside items that might just surprise you. We bring together objects from our Natural History, Social History and Art collections to look again at Oldham’s past and present. We tell the stories of a range of local figures such as suffragette Annie Kenney, the pioneering natural history collector James Nield and popular artist Helen Bradley. Oldham Stories features the breadth of our extensive collections. From birds and shells to archaeology and embroidered samplers, every object has a tale to tell. Artwork on show includes important British paintings from the Charles Lees Collection as well as paintings by artists that illustrate local scenes and characters.

Community Gallery
The Community Gallery features work by groups or individuals who live or work in Oldham, or anyone whose subject matter relates to Oldham. Do you have an exhibition proposal? Please contact Joy Thorpe on 0161 770 4663 or email joy.thorpe@oldham.gov.uk

garry holt blondie
‘Blondie’ by Garry Holt

Garry Holt: Hidden in the Backseat of My Head (19 March – 17 May)
Suffering a rare form of Motor Neurone Disease, Garry discovered his artistic talent from his hospital bed. With the help of staff from the Floyd Neuro Unit he has put his art therapy to good use, producing stunning collage pieces for this exhibition.

Last Chance to see
David Skinner: Photographs for the Soul (Until 12 March)
Photographer David Skinner believes that looking at landscape photographs triggers a part of the human brain that has a positive effect on health and wellbeing. Take a look at this exhibition of his work to experience the photographic feel-good factor

Gallery Talks
Our monthly talks are free, informal and last around 40 minutes with time for discussion afterwards. There is no need to book. If you are bringing a group of more than five please contact the Gallery on 0161 770 4742 beforehand.

Wednesday 16 March, 2pm
Join artist Margret Uttley to discover her ‘Mor’ series.

Adult Art and Craft Courses
Collagraph Printing Tuesdays 8, 15 and 22 March, 6–8.30pm
Use a range of mixed media to create a range of interesting surface prints. Suitable for beginners and the more experienced. Cost £40 for all four workshops including materials.

Children and Families
Gallery Oldham is full of fun activities and events for families and children of all ages. Children must be accompanied by an adult at all family sessions. If you are bringing a group of 10 or more please book in advance on 0161 770 4742. Arts and crafts at each session are most suitable for children aged 4–10 years.

Holiday fun at Gallery Oldham
Free family activities take place in and around all school holidays. Sessions are linked to our exhibitions so please take a look around the galleries before you come along.

Easter: Tuesday 29 and Thursday 31 March
Free – no need to book, just drop in from 1–4pm. Face painting £2 per child. Activities are most suitable for children aged 4–10 years.

Super Saturdays
Be inspired by our exhibitions! We’ve artist led craft activities, painting, drawing and creative fun for all the family on the first Saturday of the month. Free – no need to book, just drop in from 12noon–4pm. Activities are most suitable for children aged 4–10 years.

The Small Cinema
Bringing cinema back to Oldham – Every month we hosts a children’s classic in The Performance Space. Visit www.thesmallcinema.com for bookings and full listings.  Tickets cost £3.50 and include a goodie bag for children. You can reserve tickets at the welcome desk or call 0161 770 4742.

Activities for Young People
GO Getters Saturdays 26 March, TIMES TBC
A new art, culture and creative project for young people aged 11–14 years. Take part in an exciting programme of hands-on workshops. Participants will have the opportunity to gain their Bronze Arts Award as they explore our collections and exhibitions. Further sessions will run in April and May 2016. £3.50 per session. Booking is essential – places are limited so book early to avoid disappointment. Call 0161 770 4742 or email evad.ouldokojie@oldham.gov.uk

 

One Reply to “Gallery Oldham: March events and exhibitions”

  1. I worked at Oldham public library and museum around 1957. I remember that Jim Carter, the Chief Librarian bought a large metal sculpture by Arthur Dooley around this time. it was stored in the backyard and was never exhibited as I remember.. What happened to it?

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