Museums and galleries
The New Art Gallery Walsall marks 25 years with a long weekend of celebrations
Published on
On Thursday 20 February, exactly 25 years to the day since it opened its doors, The New Art Gallery Walsall will hold a special celebratory event and late-night opening.
The evening (5.30-8pm), open to all, will be an opportunity to preview new exhibition, ‘The Joy Project’ in the Community Gallery, enjoy a special performance by The Blue Lights Choir, a group created to empower young women in Walsall, explore the Gallery’s world-class collections and exhibitions after normal opening hours, and celebrate 25 years of creativity, community collaboration, exceptional exhibitions and activities.
‘The Joy Project’ exhibition is a heartfelt and personal exploration of what ‘joy’ means today, brought to life by the Gallery’s Youth Panel and local youth groups (including The Blue Lights Choir, Funky Kids, Thomas Telford College and Braidwood School). From the beauty of nature to the power of music, this exhibition will be a celebration of positivity and hope.
As part of the exhibition, the Youth Panel have revived the Gallery’s popular ‘The People’s Show’. First taking place at Walsall Art Gallery in the 1990s, the exhibition showcased local people with their collections, from commemorative neck ties to plastic bags, and beer mats to snow globes. A series of newly commissioned photographs will showcase contemporary collections and young collectors in 2025.
The week’s celebrations will continue into the weekend:
On Saturday 22 February Walsall’s Youth Hopper Bus will be in Gallery Square offering lyrics workshops from The Blue Lights Choir, DJ session workshops and karaoke. There will also be the chance to meet members of the Gallery’s Youth Panel and take part in a variety of free activities as part of the daytime launch of ‘The Joy Project’ (12-4pm. Free, drop-in).
On Sunday 23 February the Gallery will hold a special birthday edition of their popular weekly Sunday Art Club. The free art club gives children and young people the chance to meet artists and creatives, learn to paint, sculpt, craft and more. The birthday edition will see the making of colourful Gallery shaped bunting, tea, squash and birthday cake! (12-3pm. Free, donations welcome. Drop-in. Ages 4+)
“ Over the last 25 years The New Art Gallery Walsall has shown world-class art, with its heart in the local community. The Gallery has an exciting programme full of creative activities, exhibitions and events for all ages and for all. We hope you can join us on 20 February or at some point over the year. “
“ In February 2000 The New Art Gallery Walsall opened. It kickstarted a renaissance of new build Gallery capital projects in the regions. If Walsall could do it and set the example, then why not Milton Keynes, Middlesbrough, Wakefield, Nottingham, Eastbourne, Margate, Colchester, Hastings and Woking? It really was and is a trailblazer. Can you now imagine Walsall without the Gallery? Throughout our 25th year our beautiful building will be full of an exciting programme of events, exhibitions, learning and engagement opportunities. We invite all to visit and spread the word. “
Throughout the year there will be lots of opportunities to explore, create and celebrate with the Gallery including Lunar New Year celebrations with traditional Chinese folk fan and lion dancing (1 February); a World Book Day event inspired by the beauty of peacocks with performances from Sonia Sabri Company and Pep the Poet (8 March); Holi festivities including dance performances and creative workshops (15 March) as well as a summer celebration (7 June).
ENDS.
Notes to Editors:
About The New Art Gallery Walsall
The New Art Gallery Walsall presents, collects and interprets historic, modern and contemporary art in innovative and challenging ways, welcoming visitors from all over the globe as well as our immediate locality. They aim to increase the understanding and enjoyment of arts and culture through a dynamic exhibition, education and events programme.
The New Art Gallery Walsall is funded by revenue support from Walsall Council and Arts Council England. The New Art Gallery Walsall is an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation.
Open: Tuesday – Saturday 10am-5pm; Sundays 12-4pm. Closed Mondays and Bank Holidays.
Free admission
www.thenewartgallerywalsall.org.uk
The New Art Gallery Walsall facts and figures
- The Gallery opened to the public on 20 February 2000 but was officially opened by H.M Queen Elizabeth II on 5 May 2000
- The New Art Gallery Walsall was designed by Caruso St John and shortlisted for the prestigious RIBA Stirling Architecture Prize in 2000
- The Gallery was shortlisted to host the Turner Prize in 2015, the prestigious annual award celebrating innovative and thought-provoking art by British or Britain-based artists
- The Permanent Collection has tripled in size since the opening of the Gallery, and now numbers approximately 4000 works
- The Gallery was part of the Art Fund International, 2007 – 2012, working in partnership with Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery and Ikon Gallery to establish a new and ambitious international collection of contemporary art for Birmingham and the West Midlands region.
