What’s on
May – September 2022
IPSWICH MUSEUMS 3 2
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Free Entry
Sailmakers Shopping Centre
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CHRISTCHURCH MANSION
Soane Street, Ipswich, IP4 2BE 01473 433554 Opening Times MARCH-OCTOBER Tuesday-Saturday: 10am-5pm Sunday: 11am-5pm Mondays: Closed
From intriguing toys in the Victorian nursery to paintings by renowned Suffolk artists Gainsborough and Constable, there is lots to see in this magnificent Tudor mansion. Discover furniture, ceramics and more, all displayed in atmospheric period rooms. Whilst visiting, take a moment to enjoy the stunning surroundings of Christchurch Park, in the heart of Ipswich, by taking a relaxing break in our tea room. DON’T MISS • Recreating Constable exhibition • The Great Hall • Suffolk Artists Gallery • The Victorian Wing • The Tudor Kitchen • Georgian Saloon 2
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IPSWICH MUSEUM
High Street, Ipswich, IP1 3QH 01473 433551 Opening Times Tuesday-Saturday: 10am-5pm Sunday: 11am-5pm Mondays: Closed
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Discover history, wildlife and more across the two floors of this historic Victorian building. Travel through Ancient Egypt in Suffolk’s only Egyptology gallery, stand eye-to-beak with an eagle in the Ogilvie British Bird Gallery, or marvel at ship models reflecting Ipswich’s maritime past. Plus, meet family favourites – our giraffe, woolly mammoth, and Rosie the Rhino. DON’T MISS • Wool-I-Am the Mammoth • Geology Gallery • Victorian Natural History Gallery • World Cultures Gallery • Anglo-Saxon Gallery
IPSWICH ART GALLERY
1 Upper High Street, Ipswich, IP1 3NE 01473 433681 Opening Times Tuesday-Saturday: 10am-5pm Sunday: 11am-5pm Mondays: Closed
This attractive gallery, which has hosted an array of fascinating exhibitions, will be open through May and June for two popular exhibitions by local artists groups. Ipswich Art Gallery will be closed for essential maintenance during summer 2022 and will remain closed until summer 2025 following the re-opening of Ipswich Museum. DON’T MISS Borders exhibition
For information on access to our museums please visit: ipswich. cimuseums.org.uk/access 3
IPSWICH MUSEUM EMBARKS ON £8.7M REDEVELOPMENT
This three-year project will add gallery space, improve visitor facilities, and see its unique collections reinterpreted. Ipswich Museum will be closing in autumn 2022 until spring 2025 whilst we embark on an ambitious redevelopment project that will breathe new life into the Museum, restoring its original awe and wonder for a new generation of visitors and transforming it into an exciting cultural hub filled with energy and activity.
Our museums are for everyone and we look forward to welcoming you back in 2025. Cllr. Carole Jones, Ipswich Borough Council’s Museums portfolio-holder: “We are delighted to receive this support thanks to National Lottery players. This redevelopment will do something special and imaginative with our wonderful collections in a building that was specifically designed to showcase them to the public. We are looking forward to working with the people of Ipswich and the Heritage Fund to inspire a new generation through Ipswich Museum.”
The revamp will add increased gallery display and learning spaces, a new coffee shop and improved shop and visitor facilities, as well as reinterpreting Ipswich Museum’s rich collections. Throughout the closure period we will be running a programme of events and activities so there will be opportunities to participate, including volunteer and heritage skills training. Christchurch Mansion will remain open throughout the period where we will be delivering our popular exhibitions and learning programmes. 4
EXHIBITIONS
Re
creating
CONSTABLE C O Liz Harrington and Laurence Harding
CHRISTCHURCH MANSION 7 May – 24 September Following the popular Creating Constable exhibition, which was displayed in Christchurch Mansion from November 2021 – April 2022, many of the works from the Ipswich collection will remain on display in the Wolsey Art Gallery until September 2022. In this revisited display, paintings by John Constable and his Suffolk contemporaries are joined by new contemporary works not previously
displayed in the Mansion. Landscapes at Noon by photographic artists Laurence Harding and Liz Harrington explores a new way of viewing Constable’s The Hay Wain. The work consists of hand printed cyanotypes on silk, made as part of the artists commission in 2021 by Essex Cultural Diversity Project, supported by Arts Council England, in partnership with the National Trust Flatford to celebrate the 200th anniversary of John Constable’s The Hay Wain. Free admission
EXHIBITIONS
AN EXHIBITION BY IPSWICH AND COLCHESTER ART SOCIETIES IPSWICH ART GALLERY 14 May – 19 June The Colchester and Ipswich Art Societies explore their mutual border, the River Stour, in an exhibition that celebrates the thriving creativity of the region, the joy of making and the enjoyment and well-being gained through experiencing art. Over 120 members of the Art Societies have set out to examine their place in the landscape as they look across to the opposite side, and consider what borders mean more widely. What are borders? What are they for? What do they mean to people politically and emotionally? Paintings, print, sculpture and textiles take you on a trip downstream, where you’ll encounter expressions of the landscape, and life that surrounds it. Free admission
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SPOTLIGHT LOAN A British Museum Spotlight Loan Crossings: community and refuge IPSWICH MUSEUM Open until 12 June 2022 Engaging audiences in questions of identity, belonging and sharing our world, A British Museum Spotlight Loan Crossings: community and refuge is touring the Lampedusa cross together with poignant boat artwork around the UK for the first time. Made from the remnants of a refugee boat wrecked near the Italian island of Lampedusa, the cross carries messages about kindness, community and the indifference faced by many refugees.
The Lampedusa cross, Francesco Tuccio, 2015, wood © The Trustees of the British Museum
Coming up in Autumn 2022
Landscape Rebels CHRISTCHURCH MANSION 24 October 2022 – 16 April 2023
Joseph Mallord William Turner, Walton Bridges (c.1806), Oil on canvas, Norfolk Museums Service Purchased with generous assistance from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, The Art Fund and an anonymous donor, 2019
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Discover how human impacts, including the climate crisis, are changing the landscape through art, natural history, costume, and global stories. ‘Walton Bridges’, a painting by Turner, will kickstart an exhibition exploring how artists create images of landscapes, how our environment has changed, and what this means for us living today.
FAMILY EVENTS Mini Mammoths IPSWICH MUSEUM Tuesday 3 & Wednesday 4 May CAMOUFLAGE Tuesday 5 & Wednesday 6 July SEASIDE Join our interactive sessions for young children and their parents, grandparents and carers. Explore the collections and galleries together through a mixture of play, stories, craft and science activities, all designed to encourage development, communication and curiosity about the world around us. Groups with adults accompanying more than 2 children, please contact the Museum to discuss your visit before purchasing tickets. 10.15am-11.15am, 1.15pm-2.15pm | £3 per child | Age 2 ½ - 4 | Book online
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PLATINUM JUBILEE WEEKEND Celebrate 70 years of the Queen’s reign with activities in and around Christchurch Mansion!
Timeline of a Queen CHRISTCHURCH MANSION | Thursday 2 June Join Rock Paper Scissors as we discover the history and trends of the last 70 years, with real items from the Museum collections and activities around the Mansion. 10am-4pm | Free | Drop-in
Elizabeth! CHRISTCHURCH MANSION | Friday 3 June Take a trip back through time from the era of Queen Elizabeth II to that of Elizabeth l. Join EncoreEast on the lawn outside Christchurch Mansion and learn an authentic dance from the reign of the first Queen Elizabeth. Watch and enjoy a collage of dances performed by the company to take us into the reign of our own Queen Elizabeth II. 12.30pm & 2.30pm | Free | Drop-in
Jubilee Crafts CHRISTCHURCH MANSION | 28 May – 5 June Come and visit Christchurch Mansion this half-term and get stuck in with a selection of free craft activities. 10am-5pm | Free | Drop-in
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SUMMER HOLIDAYS – AMAZIN Theatrical Cats
Discover the amazing animals in Ipswich Museum and Christchurch Mansion – from prehistoric animals to Egyptian cats, and wonderful Anglo-Saxon creatures to pampered pooches.
IPSWICH MUSEUM Tuesday 26 July Celebrate the Year of the Tiger! From Egyptian goddesses to wilder hunters, find out about all the Museum’s cats. Explore the Museum for feline facts and then create your own cat show with shadow puppets and Egyptian scenery in this artist-led workshop. 10.15am-11.15am, 11.30am-12.30pm, 1.30pm-2.30pm, 2.45pm-3.45pm | £4 per child | Age 5+ | Book online
Decorative Dogs
SUMMER HOLIDAY TRAIL
Secret Saxon Riddles and Runes
CHRISTCHURCH MANSION Wednesday 27 July
IPSWICH MUSEUM 23 July – 31 August
How many dogs can you spot in Christchurch Mansion? Have a go at creating a dog portrait based on some of the historical pictures on display. Led by our artist, use different designs to produce a unique portrait.
Learn the secrets of Anglo-Saxon poetry and how they connect to some of the animals and objects on display with this fun family trail. Solve the rune riddle for a chance to win an Anglo-Saxon prize!
10.15am-11.15am, 11.30am-12.30pm, 1.30pm-2.30pm, 2.45pm-3.45pm | £4 per child | Age 5+ | Book online
£1.50 per trail 10
AZING ANIMALS
Mythical Mansion Beasts
CHRISTCHURCH MANSION Thursday 28 July Create your own mythical Mansion beast based on the ceramics of Ipswich born artist Blanche Vulliamy. Our friendly artist will be on hand to help you out with your design. 10.15am-11.15am, 11.30am-12.30pm, 1.30pm-2.30pm, 2.45pm-3.45pm | £4 per child | Age 5+ | Book online
Animal Invasion IPSWICH MUSEUM Tuesday 2 – Thursday 4 August
Ipswich Solar Party 2022
The live animals are back! Find out more about a range of animals, how they adapt and survive in their environments, and how humans have an impact on their worlds. Visit our website to find out more about what animals are visiting on each day.
CHRISTCHURCH MANSION LAWN Saturday 30 July Marvel at our enormous star, the Sun, as experts from the Orwell Astronomical Society help you safely view it via a telescope projection on a screen. Kids can learn more about the sun with solar activities.
10.30am-11.15am, 11.30am-12.15pm, 1pm-1.45pm, 2pm-2.45pm, 3pm3.45pm | £4 per person | Book online
Please note that this event is weather dependent and may have to be cancelled in adverse weather conditions. 10am-4pm | Free | Age 5+ | Drop-in 11
SUMMER HOLIDAYS – AMAZIN Super Skeletons IPSWICH MUSEUM Tuesday 9 August Get to know the animal kingdom inside out in these interactive sessions! Hold and compare the bones of lions and elephants and find out how different shaped skulls help different animals to survive in the Bone Zone Skeleton Workshop, or practice your sketching skills in our Anatomy Art Class. 10.15am-11am, 11.15am-12pm, 1.15pm-2pm, 2.30pm -3.15pm | £3 per child | Age 4+ | Book online
Brilliant Birds CHRISTCHURCH MANSION Thursday 11 August Join us for a bird-spotting day at Christchurch Mansion as we explore the feathered friends shown in the historic rooms and artworks. Learn more about the bird life in Christchurch Park at the Taxidermy Table, pick up a Christchurch Park Bird Trail, and create your own bird sculpture. TAXIDERMY TABLE AND BIRD TRAIL 10am-3pm | Free | Drop-in WIRE BIRD WORKSHOPS 10.30am-11.15am, 11.30am-12.15pm, 1pm-1.45pm, 2pm-2.45pm | £4 per child | Age 5+ | Book online 12
AZING ANIMALS Saxon Stories IPSWICH MUSEUM Tuesday 16 August Gather round as our storyteller spins some tales, learn new Saxon skills, and handle real Saxon objects. With free drop-in activities throughout the day, come and help us celebrate all things Saxon in Suffolk! SAXON CRAFT WORKSHOPS Learn how Saxon chiefs rewarded their warriors and celebrated their status. Get hands-on and make your own Saxon brooch and metal tokens.
Textile Printing CHRISTCHURCH MANSION Thursday 18 August
10.15am-11am, 11.15am-12pm, 1.15pm-2pm, 2.15pm-3pm |£4 per child |Age 7+ |Book online
Join our friendly artist to make terrific textile prints inspired by Ipswich Museum’s collections. This might get messy – so come prepared!
Prehistoric World Animal Modelling
10.30am-11.15am, 11.30am-12.15pm, 1pm1.45pm, 2pm-2.45pm | £4 per child | Age 5+ | Book online
IPSWICH MUSEUM Wednesday 17 August
Creative Drop-ins
Join Curators Simon and Lisa and create your own model dinosaur, marine reptile, mammoth or other prehistoric animal.
IPSWICH MUSEUM Tuesday 23 – Wednesday 31 August
10.15am-11am, 11.30am-12.15pm, 1.15pm2pm, 2.15pm-3pm, 3.15pm-4pm | £4 per child | Age 5+ | Book online
Free, drop in animal-themed activities for children and families. 13
TALKS & TOURS OBJECT OF THE MONTH Come and join our team on the first Saturday of each month for a short introduction to a fascinating object. 10.30am-11am | Free | No need to book
The Maidenhall Mammoth
Swords of the East Angles
IPSWICH MUSEUM Saturday 7 May
IPSWICH MUSEUM Saturday 2 July
Find out more about this important mammoth skeleton, excavated in the 1970s on the site of Ipswich’s Stoke High School, and discover what makes it so special.
Discover the history and construction of our two recently re-displayed Viking Age swords. Learn how modern meets early medieval technology in order to understand and re-create these beautiful and complex objects.
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SPECIAL EVENTS WOVEN THEATRE PRESENTS
Thomas Gainsborough and the Modern Woman A play by Peppy Barlow and Sally Wilden CHRISTCHURCH MANSION Tuesday 17 & Wednesday 18 May
In 1760, Gainsborough painted a portrait of Ann Ford, which took his world by storm. Prepared to break the rules about how a woman should be portrayed, this painting was a cause of outrage but put a seal on Gainsborough’s growing reputation. Come to the play and enter the world of Gainsborough and this extraordinary young woman in the beautiful setting of Christchurch Mansion, which houses a range of Gainsborough’s portraits. 7.30pm | Tickets £12, concessions (under 25) £10 | Cash bar | Book online 15
THE FRIENDS OF THE IPSWICH MUSEUMS The Friends of the Ipswich Museums support Ipswich Museum, Christchurch Mansion and Ipswich Art Gallery by helping to fund acquisitions, conservation and exhibitions. Alongside a busy schedule of seasonal events and private views, they lead tours and organise talks. All proceeds go to supporting the Museums, and new members are always welcome.
Creating Constable The Friends were delighted to help fund this lavishly illustrated book by Emma Roodhouse and Caleb Howgego. It tells the story of John Constable as an emerging artist in Suffolk “who changed not only how we paint but perhaps more importantly, how we look at the landscape”. The book is available from Waterstones in Ipswich and at the Mansion shop.
‘Peep into the Past’ Mansion Tours Our popular tours of Christchurch Mansion run at 11am on Tuesdays to Saturdays and at 2pm on Sundays from March to the end of October. Tours are FREE and there is no need to book. These short 30-minute introductory tours led by experienced Mansion Guides are suitable for individuals and small groups. (We are pleased to accept bookings from larger groups and coach
parties but these must be arranged separately with us.) For more information on all our activities or to join the Friends, please email contact@foim.org.uk or visit our website www.foim.org.uk.
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SCHOOLS AT IPSWICH MUSEUMS Ipswich Museum – last chance to book!
aims to inspire the next generation of designers, makers and innovators and expand the reach of the V&A collections. Through the Summer Term, we will continue working with local secondary schools at the Museum on our ‘Water, wind and speed’ theme. From September, the project will switch to Christchurch Mansion, and our challenge for the 2022/3 school year will be based on furniture design.
Schools sessions at Ipswich Museum will only be available through the summer term – from the autumn, school bookings will be unavailable while the Museum is closed for redevelopment, until it reopens in 2025.
DesignLab Nation DesignLab Nation is part of the V&A’s National Schools Programme, which
Welcome to the Mansion Schools sessions will continue throughout the 2022-3 school year at Christchurch Mansion – explore Victorian life, Toys, Discover Art in a Day, and more.
Museum Adventures Bring the Museum to your classroom with our new ‘Museum Adventures’ resources • Exciting Egyptians • Fantastic Fossils • Prehistoric Adventures Find out more at www.cimuseums.org.uk/learn or tel 01473 433350 to enquire about booking.
Want to receive the latest updates about our schools offer? Join our mailing list to find out about activities, updates, workshops and exhibitions which will help you bring learning to life for your pupils. Visit www.cimuseums.org.uk/visit/subscribe to sign up. 17
Whats
ACCESS We are committed to making sure everybody has the opportunity to enjoy and be inspired by our museums. The new Access page on our website provides lots of information about visiting our museums and the facilities which are available, including what to expect when you arrive, accessibility inside the buildings, and quiet times to visit. To find out more visit ipswich.cimuseums.org.uk/access If you cannot find the answers you are looking for on our website, please contact our Access Champions on 01206 282931 or email museums@colchester.gov.uk and our team will be happy to help.
RELAXED OPENINGS IPSWICH MUSEUM
Saturday 2 April Saturday 7 May Saturday 2 July Saturday 6 Aug Saturday 3 Sept
We will be turning off speakers and screens to welcome those with autism or additional sensory requirements to enjoy the Museum in a relaxed environment. Visitors can explore the Museum with gallery sound levels at a minimum and screens turned off from 3pm to 4.45pm. Please note that after this time alarms may sound near the reception desk as we prepare the Museum for closing and a bell is rung at 4.50pm. Ear defenders, visual guides and twiddle muffs are available from the Museum’s reception free of charge. There’s no need to book - just drop in on the day. A visual walk-through for Ipswich Museum is available on our website.
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Whats On April to June 20.qxp_Layout 1 13/10/2021 11:47 Page 15
Surrounded by acres of rolling lawns, scenic wooded areas and a delicately created arboretum, the historic Christchurch Mansion is the ideal venue for a wedding or civil partnership.
Find out more at www.venuesipswich.co.uk 19
BOOK EVENTS ONLINE AT www.ipswichtheatres.co.uk
PARENTS/CARERS must remain with their children throughout all events
KEEP IN THE LOOP with the latest Museums events and activities. Sign up to our mailing list at www.cimuseums.org.uk/visit/subscribe
PARKING
Crown Car Park - Charles Street, Ipswich, IP1 3JG In short walking distance of the Museum, Gallery and Mansion with extra wide bays. Accessible, safe and welllit with CCTV coverage throughout and electric vehicle charging units available. Visit www.ipswich.gov.uk for opening times and prices.
www.ipswich.cimuseums.org.uk @IpswichMuseums
Colchester + Ipswich Museums