Norwich Castle: Where Land and

Norwich Castle: Where Land and Water Meet

John Sell Cotman (1782-1842), The Eel Boat, c.1820s; pencil and watercolour and body colour on paper; © Norfolk Museums Service – Norwich Castle Museum & Art Galley

William Philip Barnes Freeman (1813-1897), The River at Yarmouth, undated; watercolour and pencil on paper; © Norfolk Museums Service – Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery

Norwich Castle’s Colman Watercolour Gallery is home this year to a new exhibition celebrating one of the most characteristic features of our region - Norfolk’s network of waterways. Important for trade, transport and industry in the past, they are now a major tourist destination as well as a haven for wildlife. Norfolk’s waterways have also been the setting for sporting activities such as duck shooting and ‘water frolics’, or regattas which have taken place at Wroxham, Thorpe and Great Yarmouth since the early nineteenth century.

Over the years, generations of artists have captured many different aspects of Norfolk’s Broads and rivers. The artworks featured in this exhibition show some of the ways in which our waterways have been depicted by talented artists often working en plein air, or ‘on the spot’. Some of the artworks testify to the rivers’ importance as arteries for the transport of goods and people, for fishing and other industries, and for supplying the energy that powered mills. Also included are drawings and watercolours which focus on how the rivers Yare and Wensum impacted on the architecture of Norwich, whilst others emphasise our waterways as sites of leisure and as homes to diverse species of flora and fauna. Some of the works are topographically accurate, whereas others are atmospheric renderings of romantic landscapes and ruins.

Looking at these drawings and watercolours now, we can see how drastically Norwich and Norfolk have changed – architecturally, physically and environmentally – over the last two centuries. Thankfully, many of our waterways and associated buildings are now protected by a variety of cultural and environmental agencies and institutions, which will help preserve the breath-taking landscape, rare plants, birds and animals, and beloved landmarks so they can be enjoyed by future generations.

Where Land and Water Meet runs from March 30th for the rest of the year.

Norfolk & Norwich Art Circle celebrates 135 years

A Norfolk art collective has launched a programme of events, workshops and exhibitions as it marks 135 years as a group.

Malcolm Jarvis - The beauty that passers by don't see

Norfolk and Norwich Art Circle was established in 1885 following Crome & Cotman's famous Norwich Society of Artists and has included in its membership artists of national and international acclaim such as Alfred Munnings, Edward Seago and Bernard Reynolds.

And now, with more than 200 members, it is set to host 20 events and workshops across the county and beyond – including their 201st exhibition.

All are invited to attend the packed programme of exhibitions, demonstrations, life classes, workshops and talks.

Life classes take place on a monthly basis from March to November (excluding July and August) and workshops will concentrate on oils, watercolours, ink work, acrylics and mixed media.

A number of well-known artists will host demonstrations on techniques including Brian Korteling, Rachel Thomas, Sue Williams and Mo Teeuw.

The group’s 201st exhibition takes place at The Forum in Norwich between May 9th and 14th and will feature painting and drawing in a variety of mediums, digital art, 3D work and sculpture.

In July the collective will be travelling to the Munnings Museum in Dedham, Essex in a ground-breaking collaboration between the two organisations to mark the strong links of Sir Alfred Munnings and the Norwich and Norfolk Art Circle.

Entrance to demonstrations and life classes is open to members and non-members with pay-onthe-door entry. All workshops are bookable in advance - members £25 and nonmembers £35.

Norfolk and Norwich Art Circle welcome new members who are artists or interested in art. For more information and to see the list of events, workshops and exhibitions visit www.nnartcircle.com