inside
Compton
Verney
Winter 2013 — 2014
Moore Rodin at Compton Verney Heritage Lottery Fund Success
Adopt an artwork The Adopt a tree scheme at Compton Verney has raised almost £15,000 since its implementation in 2008. This has proved that there is interest in supporting us while remembering a loved one or marking a special occasion such as a marriage, anniversary or birth. We are now expanding the programme so that donors at a variety of levels can adopt their favourite piece of art. The importance of adoption is to ensure the long-term care of the artwork, and the gallery as a whole. ‘Adopt an artwork’ will open up a new and exciting way in which visitors can support Compton Verney through their love of art. Selected artworks are available for adoption from the permanent collections which include paintings, furniture, sculpture and objects. Adoptions last for four years and the adopter or his/her designee will have their name listed in the gallery space of their chosen artwork, as well as receiving a commemorative certificate.
Sample adoption opportunities (Clockwise from top right:) Female Saint by Tilman Riemenschneider £1,500 Still Life with Flowers in an Urn, Butterflies and Snake by Paolo Porpora £250 Mirza Abu'l Hassan Khan by Sir William Beechy £1,000 Soldier Whirligig, British £25 Painted equestrian figures, Tang dynasty (618-906 A.D) £250 each
Contact Aly Grimes on 01926 645 547 for more information
Contents Page 2
Adopt an artwork
Page 3
News bites and Opera
Page 4
Heritage Lottery Fund success
Page 6
Moore Rodin
Page 8
Programming Department; Leading the Way, Next Generation and Sneak Preview
Page 10 2
Hiring Arcadia
Page 11
Outside In and Volunteering’s Dynamic Duo
Page 12
Benefactor, Patron and Supporter events 2013
Page 14
Christmas at Compton Verney
Page 15
A day in the life of John Crossley, Gallery Technician
Page 16
Thank you
(Front cover) Auguste Rodin, Adam, (1881), reproduced by permission of musée Rodin, Paris photography by Jonty Wilde
News bites Wedding industry awards We are delighted to announce that Compton Verney was a regional finalist for both ‘best wedding venue’ and ‘best venue team’. These awards are voted for by wedding couples who have chosen to be married here.
Heritage volunteering portal Compton Verney has been involved in developing a new website for volunteering in South Warwickshire. It is bespoke for people interested in helping at arts or heritage venues throughout and is incredibly easy to use. People register as members and can then search and apply for opportunities as well as read case studies from each venue. Compton Verney will use the portal to prospect for potential volunteers when new opportunities arise. The website is now live but won’t be fully launched until January to give us time to populate it with roles, case studies and to iron out any snags. To help with the latter it would be very helpful if you could register and let us know if you experienced any problems or have any thoughts go to www.heritagevolunteeringportal.org
Theft! Compton Verney’s Events team; Harriet Lund and Melanie Thorn
Winter Weekend support The Richard Cadbury Charitable Trust has granted £400 to help support storytelling at the Winter Weekends. Support at any level is hugely helpful in our efforts to continue offering learning and engagement programmes for schools and visitors of all ages.
We are sad to report that in early November an attempt was made to steal our two bee hives. One hive, which happened to be empty has disappeared completely, the other hive which housed a full colony of bees, was dropped some distance from its usual place of residence scattering bees and compartments all around. Our volunteer bee keeper Rod Oates responded quickly to the event and reinstated the remaining hive in an effort to settle the bees. Apart from replacing the lost hive, we can now but hope that the remaining bees make it through the winter.
Compton Verney Fundraising Opera On 12 July Britain’s foremost chamber opera company, Diva Opera, will be performing Mozart’s Don Giovanni under a marquee in Compton Verney’s beautiful ‘Capability’ Brown inspired grounds. Join us for this spectacular evening set amongst our Moore Rodin exhibition while raising money to support our mission to share our passion for art. Ticket options are: Opera plus a champagne reception and dinner
(including all wine) in the elegant Adam Hall (£175) Opera plus a picnic box and half bottle of wine
(£145) Opera and space in the marquee for self-catering
(£110)
For tickets and further information contact Aly Grimes on 01926 645 547 or alexandra.grimes@comptonverney.org.uk
Heritage Lottery Fund succ again be possible to appreciate Brown and Adam’s visionary blend of landscape and architecture, as well as Peter Moores’ vision of a centrally-located, international-standard art gallery, and the diversity of wildlife, habitats and recreational potential the site has to offer.
As noted on the photo right, our project will:
Re-viewing the Landscape Compton Verney has been successful in securing a prestigious Round One pass from the Heritage Lottery Fund for its project Re-viewing the Landscape. Following a highly-competitive national competition, permission has been granted for a full £2.5 million application in support of a £3.7 million project. Charitably-raised matching funds and volunteer hours will contribute to the funding gap. Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown was the pre-eminent creator of eighteenth-century landscapes, parklands that continue to inspire and delight visitors three hundred years after his birth. Compton Verney’s rare, Brown-designed Chapel makes this landscape doubly distinctive and of national importance. With this ambitious campaign, we now seek to restore this outstanding landscape and enliven it with eye catchers and activities to highlight the site’s history of innovative thinking, art and architectural change. It will
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1. Protect the core of the precious ‘Capability’ Brown landscape, including the acquisition of the North Park, the primary view to and from the front of the mansion 2. Restore and return to use the Grade I listed ‘Capability’ Brown Chapel of 1776-9 to provide a venue for music and other events 3. Build a new interpretation centre to provide materials about our landscape, history and ecology as well as much-needed visitor and learning facilities in the grounds 4. Secure and develop the biodiversity of the parkland and recreate the pathways so visitors can view our forest, wetland and meadow habitats while enjoying Brown’s original site lines 5. Commission and realise two visionary eye catchers in the landscape, drawing attention to the history of the site in refreshing new ways 6. Build a contemporary bridge to link the Ice House Coppice with the West Lawn 7. Provide a grounds workshop And even more importantly, expand learning, engagement and volunteering opportunities.
cess Using Brown’s landscape as a platform we can bring together a range of interests – art, architecture, landscape design, music, history, exercise, ecology and creativity – to engage with new audiences in totally new ways. The challenge is now to consult with our community and visitors, secure match funding, design and secure planning permission for all structures and write effective, achievable business and activity plans prior to a Round Two submission. We hope to accomplish this so that major works can be completed for the tercentenary of Brown’s birth in 2016. An initial grant of £179,656 has been received from the Heritage Lottery Fund to
assist with these preparations. Grants previously given by the J.Paul Getty Jnr Charitable Trust and raised by our two gala dinners will also help. This is a transformational opportunity to impact the future of this incredibly rare and distinctive landscape, the art and art-lovers that thrive in it. We hope that you will all want to participate and look forward to giving you more details as the project unfolds.
Moore Rodin at Compton Verney 5 February — 31 August 2014
(Left to right) Auguste Rodin, Monument to the Burghers of Calais, (1889) and Henry Moore, Three Piece Sculpture: Vertebrae, (1968-69), reproduced by permission of The Henry Moore Foundation, musée Rodin, Paris and The Royal Parks, photography by Jonty Wilde
This ground-breaking international exhibition compares the work of two giants of modern sculpture: British sculptor Henry Moore (1898-1986) with that of French sculptor Auguste Rodin (1840-1917). This is the first exhibition to be devoted exclusively to these artists, and many major works will be displayed together in our beautiful, ‘Capability’ Brown landscape as well as in the gallery spaces. Despite being regarded as two pioneers of modern sculpture, Moore and Rodin never met. At the time of Rodin’s death in 1917, Moore was fighting with the British army in France at the age of nineteen. Yet, Moore’s debt to Rodin was profound. 6
‘I began to realise that a lot of things one might be using and being influenced by are, compared with Rodin, altogether too easy. So that as time has gone on, my admiration for Rodin has grown and grown.’ - Henry Moore
It is the contrast between Moore and Rodin that is immediately striking: Moore’s grounded forms are timeless and static, whilst Rodin’s articulate movement and capture a precise moment. Yet closer examination reveals many shared concerns. Concentrating almost exclusively on the figure, a deeply felt humanism compelled both sculptors to seek the universal aim: distilling the human form to its essence. A shared interest in metamorphosis also underpinned their desire to
fuse the figure with nature, dissolving the boundaries between anthropomorphic and geological forms. Michelangelo’s depiction of internal tension was a strong influence for both Moore and Rodin, and both were lifetime collectors of antiquities and natural objects. Whilst the physical relationship of sculpture to its surroundings, and the dialogue between human form and landscape are prominent themes, this exhibition seeks to explore motifs in the work of both artists ranging from the Mother and Child, the torso, movement, interlocking forms and more general artistic practise such as drawing from life and photography. Moore Rodin features important loans from the Henry Moore Foundation, musée Rodin, Paris, and public collections in the UK. The works include one of Rodin's most famous works, Monument to the Burghers of Calais, (1889), (usually on display outside the Houses of Parliament). There exhibition also houses an extensive selection of drawings by both artists, a display of their own antiquity collections, rare archival documents and photographs taken by Moore. This is a unique opportunity to view the work of Moore and Rodin in a completely new light.
Auguste Rodin, The Three Shades, (before 1886) reproduced by permission of The Henry Moore Foundation and musée Rodin, Paris, photography by Jonty Wilde
Moore Rodin Corporate sponsorship We expect this exhibition to attract over 60,000 visitors which means that it will provide a large platform from which businesses can extend profile, develop client relationships, build regional partnerships and realise philanthropic goals. There are many ways in which businesses can become involved, ranging from fully sponsoring the exhibition to supporting the Learning Programme for regional schools and families.
Foreground: Auguste Rodin, Cybele, large model (1905). Background: Auguste Rodin, The Fallen Caryatid with Stone, (1911-18) and Henry Moore, Three Piece Sculpture: Vertebrae, (1968-69), reproduced by permission of The Henry Moore Foundation and musée Rodin, Paris, photography by Jonty Wilde.
The exhibition is organised in collaboration with the Henry Moore Foundation and musée Rodin, Paris. A fully illustrated catalogue is available. Exhibition paints sponsored by Farrow & Ball.
We are able to offer a variety of benefits in return, ranging from acknowledgement in the exhibition space to the opportunity to have a Private View of the exhibition for 25 guests. Sponsorship prices start from £2,500 + VAT. We believe this is an ideal opportunity for businesses to show support for an important regional exhibition, and worthwhile charitable cause.
To receive further information please call Jessica on 01926 645 562 or email jessica.brown@comptonverney.org.uk.
Programming Department leading the way Curator, Penelope Sexton has been selected for the 2013/14 Museums Fellowship for the Clore Leadership Programme supported by Arts Council England.
In July, Alison Cox, Head of Programming, also secured one of 12 places on Museums and Resilient Leadership, a course for senior museums professionals.
The Fellowship provides professional training and personal development for current and future leaders in the cultural sector. It was founded by the Clore Duffield Foundation in 2002 in response to its own research into the state of leadership in the cultural sector.
Funded by Arts Council England with the Black Country Living Museum and led by a team with rich business and museum experience, the course runs over nine months and aims to support and develop entrepreneurial and resilient leaders. It focuses on growing participants’ personal, organisational and relational ‘asset banks’.
Each year around twenty-five to thirty Clore Fellows are selected following a rigorous application and selection process. They embark on a seven to eight month journey which includes core training courses in practical skills including fundraising, media training, financial planning, governance, and personal development. The Fellowship also involves going on an extended secondment to an organisation outside of their previous professional experience. Penelope has selected Royal Opera House, London or Liverpool Biennial as her secondment options. Each Fellowship is tailored to the individual development needs and aspirations of the Fellow. Throughout their Fellowship, Fellows also benefit from support by a Mentor, who is a leading figure in their field. With more than thirteen candidates applying for every place, competition for Clore Fellowships is fierce. For 2013/14 twenty-one Fellows have been selected from the UK, Ireland, Egypt, India, China, Hong Kong and Singapore, with over all support from twentyeight funding partners. The Clore Fellows are working in areas as varied as theatre, opera, dance, music; museums, visual arts; libraries, literature and new media; arts and science; and archives and heritage. Following the installation of the exhibition 8
Moore Rodin, Penelope will be off on her Fellowship from mid-February 2014 until the end of July 2014. Verity Elson, currently Assistant Curator, will be stepping up to Curator during this time.
(Left) Curator, Penny Sexton (Right) Head of Programming, Alison Cox
The content is a rich mix of workshops, visits and master classes on leadership skills, funding, strategic planning and making money and provides regular mentoring. Alison’s mentor is Andrew Lovett, Director and Chief Executive of Black County Living Museum, also, like us, a self-funded museum. Funding for a European trip allowed Alison to visit the Netherlands where she met with the Deputy Director of the Kröller-Müller Museum, two hours south of Amsterdam. Like Compton Verney, the Kröller-Müller is an art gallery with grounds in a rural setting, founded by an avid art collector. It was useful to find out more about how the museum is thriving through the recession.
The Next Generation:
Sneak Preview:
Lucy West,
Happy Anniversary Compton Verney!
Curatorial Intern
As an Art History graduate and aspiring curator, my role as Curatorial Intern has been exciting and valuable, providing an insight into the day-to-day running of the busy Programming Department at Compton Verney. I started back in June, in conjunction with the Warwick University Summer Internship Scheme.
2014 is a milestone year Compton Verney as it will be years since the award-winning gallery opened its door to public for the first time.
In my first weeks alone, I paid a visit to the fascinating, yet slightly eerie, taxidermy stores of the Herbert Gallery with Curator Penny Sexton to view some weird and wonderful creatures for Curious Beasts. I also watched as the Italian masterpieces were taken down from the spring show and unwrapped Simon Faithfull’s latest cherry-wood etchings, posted from Berlin, for Re-viewing the Landscape. Seeing the landscape paintings installed for the summer show Turner and Constable: Sketching from Nature was another highlight – a far cry from viewing art on a slide show in a lecture hall.
To mark this special occasion we will open our 2014 season early, on Saturday 15 February, and hold a festive birthday party on Monday 5 May. Save the date!
I had little idea of the sheer scale of the workload which takes plac e before a show, often planned up to four years in advance. I have been able to get involved in the different stages of exhibitions: have a go on design software, updating databases, meeting designers, editing wall captions and social media, to name a few things. Four months on and I am still here, now enjoying being Curatorial Assistant, Gallery Assistant and ARA, and gaining a rounded experience of gallery life. Lucy West
for ten art the
British Folk Art 27 September – 14 December 2014 This exhibition is the first major survey of British Folk Art featuring over 100 paintings, sculptures, textiles and objects that have been drawn together from collections across the country including Compton Verney which is home to one of the most important collections of British Folk Art in the country. Folk Art is an established subject in many countries; however in Britain the genre remains elusive. Rarely considered in the context of art history, ‘Folk Art’ has often been viewed merely as part of social history or folklore studies. This show unites an extraordinary selection of objects, exploring the threshold between art and artefact and challenging perceptions of ’high art’. It includes surprising and diverse examples of British Folk Art, from rustic leather Toby jugs to brightly coloured ships’ figureheads and highly-accomplished carousel horses. The imposing larger than life-size thatched figure of King Alfred created by a master thatcher, Joseph Myatt, in 1960 is just one of the highlights of the exhibition. The exhibition is curated by Martin Myrone, Curator, Tate Britain and artist Jeff McMillan. Exhibition organised by Tate.
If you are thinking of having a larger celebration you can use the Adam Hall for a drinks reception and photographs, before having dinner in your own dramatic lakeside marquee. Whatever your event, rest assured that Compton Verney’s dedicated event co-ordinators will guide you through every step of the way, from initial planning right up to and including the day of the event. This will leave you and your guests to relax and enjoy your time with us. © John Cleary photography
Hiring Arcadia: Your event at Compton Verney Compton Verney is a truly unique location and the perfect backdrop for a variety of special occasions and events.
We also have luxurious and extensive grounds where we can cater for larger numbers in a sophisticated temporary structure on the West Lawn. With views of our beautiful lake and stunning historic grounds, the West Lawn is directly adjacent to the gallery and has its own separate road access from the main road, ideally located for product launches, largescale corporate hospitality, open air theatre or concerts and antique fairs. For weddings the stunning Adam Hall with its marble floor and ornate ceiling will be the focal point for your day. This is a beautiful room for your civil ceremony or partnership, wedding breakfast for up to 100 guests and your evening reception for up to 150. 10
© John Cleary photography
Providing a distinct and creative environment the contrasting spaces at Compton Verney are available for events such as meetings, training days, private dinners, lavish parties, weddings, filming, photo shoots and much more. Events staged at Compton Verney offer the grandeur of the Grade I listed Georgian mansion with the appeal of rural seclusion.
What our clients say: “Thank you for arranging today’s visit by Bloxham’s leadership group. We were greeted on arrival by Melanie and well looked after by the catering staff during the day. It was just the right environment for us to think our big thoughts!” “After a stunning honeymoon and wedding day, which can only be described as the best day of our lives, we would like to thank you again for all the hard work and effort that went into organising the day. The venue coordination and catering were outstanding and made the day a real triumph. It really was a truly outstanding day.”
Contact Harriet Lund on 01926 645 521 or harriet.lund@comptonverney.org.uk for more information.
Š John Cleary photography
Outside In artist, Natasha Boyd; DNA (2007) dyed and batiked silk
Volunteering’s Dynamic Duo John Bishop and Clifford Newgas support the Learning Team every Thursday. John, an ex-fire fighter, has a BA (Hons) in both Graphic Design and Fine Art and Clifford from a managerial background in telecoms. They started at Compton Verney in the first influx of Volunteers and have been here for five years. Starting out in the galleries, they moved around various roles in maintenance, cataloguing, research and administration before joining Learning when a high demand of extra support was needed to assist with schools, family activities and events.
Outside In reaches out Outside In is an arts agency providing a platform for artists who find it difficult to access the art world either because of mental health issues, disability, health, social circumstance or because their work does not conform to what is normally considered as art. Outside In is based at Pallant House Gallery in Chichester. Throughout 2013 Compton Verney has hosted Outside In: Central, an exhibition that showcases work by 16 Outside In artists from eight counties across the central region. Six of the artists also selected works from our British Folk Art collection to show alongside their work. What you may not realise is that the associated learning programme has also fulfilled the inclusive and outreach ethos of the project by reaching out to special schools and students not in mainstream education.
They assist with the activities by preparing materials, making sample pieces and offering one to one support to students who need that little bit extra attention during school visits. Every day is different. During Forest School, they work alongside teachers and the group leader to keep children to schedule and minding the fire and other health and safety issues. They also design booklets and trails such as the discovery pack, nature and Christmas trails for families. This often involves many hours of research at home but allows them to use their knowledge and life experience creatively.
The project focused on the six artists who worked with the British Folk Art collection. A resource pack was created to support teachers and allow them to deliver the project from their class rooms. This allowed students to participate even if they were unable to visit due to the severity of their needs. The resource pack provided information about Outside In, the artists and the Outside In: Central exhibition, along with images and suggestions for activities. Learning Team members Alice Kirk and Joanna Essen recently presented the project along with Jennifer Gilbert, Outside In Co-ordinator from Pallant House Gallery and Christopher Samuel, Outside In artist, at the Engage International Conference for those involved in gallery education. Outside In: Central runs until 15 Dec 2013.
(Left) Patrons Belinda McMicking and Peter Gregory-Hood, Lord and Lady Willoughby de Broke, Jill Pittaway, Ludo and Camilla de Walden and Charlotte and John Brook visit a rather different sphinx in the grounds of Vienna’s Upper Belvedere. (Below right) Gala committee members Charlotte Brook, Josie Cameron Ashcroft, Min Willoughby de Broke (Chair), Belinda McMicking, Matt Broadhurst and Laura Watts
Benefactor, Patron and Supporter events 2013 This has been a super year for events with exclusive tours, a trip to Vienna and another successful gala dinner lead by our Patrons. On 10 May 2013, Compton Verney’s Benefactors, Patrons and Supporters enjoyed an exclusive day out at Chiswick Villa and Hogarth’s House in London. Accompanied by Dr Steven Parissien, the tour was led by English Heritage’s expert on historic interiors, Treve Rosoman, who delighted the group with his extensive knowledge of the villa’s interior. After lunch and a walk in the garden, everyone ventured only a few moments down the road to Hogarth’s House, where Treve managed to secure us entry into the historic roof space of the museum where visitors aren’t normally admitted, much to the group’s delight. The day then finished with a short walk around the graveyard at St. Nicholas’ Church, where William Hogarth is buried among notable others.
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(NMG). The day began at NMG in Cardiff, where the group was taken on a tour by Curator, Oliver Fairclough, around their impressive collections. The Curator of the Prints and Drawings room then invited everyone for a wonderful tour of their drawings collections, and offering everyone the chance to handle original prints by the likes of Picasso and Edward Burne-Jones. Following a delicious meal in their cellar restaurant, the group then continued our journey to The Royal Mint Collection near Cardiff which included a tour of the factory, museum and design studios to learn all about the fascinating processes involved with coin making, which was thoroughly enjoyed by all. Making the most of the last summer days, the Benefactors enjoyed a trip to Wiltshire to explore the hidden heritage that lay within the hexagonal Longford Castle to encounter fabulous paintings by Van Dyck and Reynolds. In the afternoon we
On Thursday 13 June, our Benefactors, Patrons
headed to the New Art Gallery sculpture park at Roche Court. There before everyone lay an
and Supporters travelled to Wales for an exclusive invite-only tour of The Royal Mint Collection, and
astounding selection of sculptural works nestled amongst the acres of sprawling Salisbury
also a private tour of the prints and drawings collection at The National Museum and Gallery
countryside including that of Michael Craig-Martin, Barbara Hepworth and not
forgetting Laura Ellen-Bacon; former artist-in-residence at Compton Verney! From 26 - 29 September the Patrons and Benefactors embarked on the yearly trip abroad this time to Vienna where they were shown all around the beautiful city by guide Gerti Schmidt. The tour began on Friday with a visit to the Upper Belvedere designed by Johann Lukas von Hildebrandt as a summer palace for Prince Eugene of Savoy. Housing a magnificent array of paintings from Klimt, Schiele and Kokoschka, the group then arrived at the Secession Building to explore its many famous treasures including Klimt’s 90foot long Beethoven Frieze, before a private view of the Lichtenstein Museum.
2014 Events Join or upgrade now to participate in these exclusive events and tours: (please note, all dates to be confirmed): 14 February Private view of Moore Rodin (Benefactors, Patrons & Supporters) 3 April Tour of Birmingham Museum &
On Saturday the group spent the morning at the Hofburg
Gallery and The Barber Institute (Benefactors, Patrons & Supporters )
Complex which now houses several museums and which once served as both the Imperial Palace and administrative
5 May Compton Verney Anniversary
centre of the Hapsburg Empire. Lunch at traditional Viennese restaurant, Café Landtmann, followed before a guided visit of the Kunsthistorichesmueum (Museum of Fine Arts), one of the world’s foremost galleries. Due to the resounding success of the Vienna trip, we plan to take our Patrons and Benefactors to Istanbul in October next year. So if that tempts you, do consider joining or upgrading as a Compton Verney Patron.
Celebrations (open to all) Also in May Tour of the Pangolin Foundry and Kelmscott Manor TBC (Benefactors & Patrons) 12 September Private tour of the Royal Collection, Buckingham Palace with the Surveyor of the Queen’s Pictures (Benefactors only) 26 September Folk Art Private View (Benefactors, Patrons & Supporters) 2-5 October Benefactors’ & Patrons’ trip to Istanbul 27 November Benefactors’ and Patrons’ Dinner
12 October saw the return of our glittering gala dinner and auction event which helped to raise over £15,000. A spectacular evening was had by all, with our Adam Hall looking wonderful offset with illuminated table decorations. Many thanks again to Charlie Brooke, Josie Cameron Ashcroft, Min Willoughby de Broke, Belinda McMicking, Matt Broadhust and Laura Watt organised the event and helped to rally fabulous auction lots including Wimbledon tickets, behind-the-scenes tours of Christie’s and Tate Modern and the very first jar of Compton Verney honey!
(Above) Compton Verney Dr Steven Parissien, Belinda McMicking, Kirsten Suenson-Taylor and Peter GregoryHood by the riverside view at Longford Castle
Christmas at Compton Verney Gift shop, Christmas parties, Winter Weekends for all the family, what’s not to like about the festive season at Compton Verney? Join us for our popular Winter Weekends featuring family workshops, storytelling and music in the Chapel: 7 December – The historic Royal Spa Brass from Leamington Spa perform well-known classic compositions and modern family favourites. 8 December - The Osney Singers will sing the first carols performed in the Chapel for almost a century. 14 December - Cabinet of Curiosities directed by Clive Letchford performs Baroque Music using authentic instruments and playing styles. 15 December – The highly-regarded director Benedict Wilson and his Holy Trinity Church Choir
Shopping! With a popular line of reasonably priced and unusual handbags, scarves, toys, ties, stationary, books, soaps and other gifts, the Compton Verney shop is a great place to buy your seasonal gifts. Why not combine your trip with a traditional Christmas lunch or cream tea in the café and make a day of it! 14
Contact Harriet on 01926 645 521 to arrange your office party in elegant and unique surroundings
A Day in the Life of John Crossley – Gallery Technician The nature my role takes me in to the galleries perhaps more than any other member of the permanent staff at Compton Verney. I check all of the lighting to ensure the exhibits are displayed to their full potential and use the time before opening to perform a condition check on the artworks. I also see to any maintenance tasks that require attention such as repairing the oak floorboards on the ground floor. The main focus of my work is associated with the planning of the temporary exhibition programme. This includes the fabrication of plinths for 3D artworks like the one currently underneath the taxidermy rhinoceros in the Curious Beasts exhibition and display solutions for audio-visual projections and any other requirements requested by an artist or lender. I work closely with the Exhibitions Manager and the Curators at Compton Verney to arrange and manage the installation of temporary exhibitions, liaise with builders and painters, hire technical art handlers and oversee contractors working on-site. Compton Verney’s temporary exhibition installations are the most thrilling (and nerveracking) part of my role since we aim to get the shows hung and open to the public as soon as possible. There are fantastic challenges, such as hanging a Van Dyck with a courier from The Royal Collection watching your every move. Some I’d rather forget, like the time paintings from Iceland due to form part of the Volcano exhibition in 2010 were bumped off the flight in favour of several crates of Haddock, Halibut and Herring. The catch of the day seemingly more note-worthy than any pre-arranged cultural exports!
Why not give Moore this Christmas? Please take a moment to consider upgrading your membership, or Why the notgiftupgrade? giving membership, and support our efforts to share our passion for art.
Engaging with partners from prestigious institutions and working closely with a huge range of traditional and contemporary artwork from all over the world makes the time pressures associated with installing such a varied programme worthwhile. I am
There are several quick and easy ways to upgrade your membership:
fortunate to get an intimate look at the works as they are unpacked and seeing a show develop from design through to realisation is always highly rewarding.
By annual or quarterly Direct Debit with the Direct Debit form
John Crossley
Or visit and upgrade in the ticket lodge!
By phone on 01926 645 547 By post via Compton Verney, NAT9520, Warwick CV35 9BR.
FREEPOST
Online at www.comptonverney.org.uk
Thank you for your support
Thank you to all our Benefactors, Patrons, Supporters and Corporate Members for your continued support. Your membership makes a huge difference to us and contributes towards all aspects of Compton Verney, from our exhibitions and collections to our grounds and educational work.
Benefactors
Lady Goodhart Kirsten Suenson-Taylor Adrian & Jacqui Beecroft
Dr Catherine MS Alexander Alex & Mary Robinson Wyn Grant
The Four Pillars When you purchase a membership at any level and/or make a donation, you are welcome to specify an area of your own interest towards which your membership/ donation will contribute. Funds, and the kinds of things they supported in 2013, are:
The Exhibition Fund for our exhibitions and collections helped to reinstall our Enid Marx Collection.
The Adam Fund for our built heritage has contributed to the repair of the Adam Hall floor and plasterwork.
The Inspire Fund for art education has supported the development of a new outreach programme for schools.
The Capability Fund for our historic landscape has supported the lake maintenance and bulb planting.
Patrons David & Jill Pittaway David & Sandra Burbidge Mr & Mrs Roger Keverne Peter Gregory-Hood Roger Cadbury Lord & Lady Willoughby de Broke Mrs Susan Bridgewater Pam Barnes Dr & Mrs Munchi Choksey David & Catherine Loudon Sarah Stoten Mr & Mrs Ludovic de Walden Mrs Patricia Trahar Dr Stephen Large Prof Jacquie McGlade
William & Jane Pusey Paul Cooney Mrs Christine Archer PE Shirley Margaret Fraser Mrs Michael Markham Sir Martin & Lady Jacomb Victoria Peers The Brook Family Nicholas & Marie-France Burton Professor Robert Bluglass CBE & Dr Kerry Bluglass Bridget Barker & Simon Herrtage Richard Shore
Supporters Mr & Mrs Peter Kenworthy-Browne Clive Barnes Lady Butler Mr Peter Boycott Graham Greene CBE Jenny Grimstone Sarah Holman David Howells Howard & Melanie Jackson Bob & Sandy Marchant N Meades Dr James Mooney Mrs Penny Perriss
Andrew & Julia Pick Michael Robarts Bill Slora Christopher Trye Sir Robert Wade-Gery Benjamin Wiggin Matt Broadhurst Mike & Joan Broad
For further information, or if you would like to support The Four Pillars of Compton Verney, please call Aly Grimes on 01926 645 547 or donate on-line now via the Big Give.
And 40 others who wish to remain anonymous, or have not yet specified how they would like to be listed.
Corporate Members Martinspeed Ltd Aquarelle Publishing Blackwall Green Fred Winter Ltd Goldcrest Cleaning Lightmedia Communications Ltd Mitchell Gallery Renaissance Creative Travel Club Elite Wright Hassall George Pragnell
Quilter Perrywell Computer Systems Ltd Larch Consulting Audley Binswood Hall Castleacre Insurance Harrison Beale & Owen James Butler Ltd Clifton Cowley Bonhams Farrow & Ball Healthcare Development Services Ltd
Other ways you can help Consider leaving us a legacy, organising an event or naming a tree, artwork or room for yourself or a loved one! Call 01926 645 547 or visit the website for more information.