Artefacts Spring 2011 by Laura Katriina Pollard

Artefacts THE FRIENDS OF BIRMINGHAM MUSEUMS & ART GALLERY MAGAZINE

Spring 2011

The Friends of Birmingham Museums & Art Gallery

MEMBER OF THE ASSOCIATION OF FRIENDS OF MUSEUMS

Our Chairman

Deborah de Haes We are well into our 80th birthday year now and I hope to see very many of you at our main Birthday Party at Blakesley Hall on Sunday 26th June (the booking form is in this Artefacts). We are hoping for a beautiful day, but if not, there is a large visitor centre in which we should all be able to gather. So no excuse – see you there! Our birthday ‘launch’ on 22nd February was a great success. Jennifer Young handed over a cheque for more than £26,000 for on-going conservation and interpretation of the Staffordshire Hoard, exceeding our target by some way. We celebrated our first and most recent acquisitions, both of which are now on display at the top of the Gas Hall stairs, and then had special curator-led tours of both the Hoard and the PreRaphaelites drawings exhibition.

If you wish to make a special contribution to this commission, please contact the office.

At this event I also announced that we are commissioning a new artwork to celebrate our birthday. This will hang above the new ceiling opening in front of the Millennium Stairs up to the History Galleries. It will be a permanent symbol of our past and on-going support for BMAG. We hope to be involved in its creation and will keep you informed as this develops.

The results of the election will be announced at the AGM. This year we are not charging for AGM refreshments although donations are welcome. We are holding the AGM in the Waterhall and our speaker will be Adam Jaffar, Curator of World Cultures talking about recent Ghanaian textiles he has purchased for BMAG. Do come and let us know what you think about

We are delighted that this year we have more nominations than vacancies for Trustees (Committee members), showing increased interest in what we are doing. We therefore need to hold an election. Do please vote. You should have received a voting paper with this Artefacts. If you cannot find it, please contact the office.

any aspect of being a Friend. I hope you will by now have seen our new Membership Leaflet. We are very proud of it and feel that while being completely true to our past, it also gives a new look for the future to attract new members. We do need new members, particularly in this difficult economic climate, so please encourage people to join. We hope to organise some new types of events in the autumn, such as a ‘lecture mini-series’. Please let me know if you have any other ideas you would like us to consider. With the City Council cut-backs, BMAG needs our support more than ever. Tell everyone how wonderful BMAG is and do support our worldclass museums! Even though the Community Museums now charge for entry, your Friends membership lets you in for free. So why not take time out in one of the lovely Community Museums this spring, particularly if you have not been there for a while. Enjoy the summer!

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Deborah de Haes

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CONTACTS John Pownall Events and Artefacts Content friends.of.bmag@googlemail.com

Myra Wheeldon - Events myra.wheeldon@googlemail.com

Mary Whetnall - Events mary.whetnall@googlemail.com

Margaret Boniface - Archivist

The sculpture is â&#x20AC;&#x2122;Head of a Boy' by Aimes Jules Dalou. Acq No. 1961P36

margaret.boniface.fbmag@googlemail.com

Lynda Perrin - Membership fbmagmembership@googlemail.com

John Nodding - Treasurer johnnodding@yahoo.co.uk

Ria van den Nieuwboer Volunteer Co-ordinator riavanden@btinternet.com

Melissa Page - Administrator melissa.page.fbmag@gmail.com

Friends' Office Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, Chamberlain Square, Birmingham. B3 3DH Tel: 0121 303 3129 Events: 0121 464 3353 friends.of.bmag@googlemail.com www.bmag.org.uk/friends_of_bmag Reg. Charity No. 528895

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Chairman's Report Friends' Events News from the Office Acquisitions Learning at BM&AG Rita McLean's Report What's On

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Diane Stinton - Tel: 01905 727903 diane@pw-media.co.uk ARTEFACTS SPRING 2011

Friends' Diary

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Forthcoming Friends' Events Oxford Ashmolean Museum Tuesday 7 June 2011 April saw the launch of the Ashmolean’s first major archaeological exhibition – ‘Heracles to Alexander the Great’. The Museum will show more than 500 extraordinary objects, most of which go on display for the first time anywhere in the world. The royal city of Aegae, modern day Vergina in northern Greece, was the first capital of Macedon, the seat of the Temenid kings, who claimed descent from Heracles. They ruled from the mid-7th to the 4th century BC, and gave to Greece two of its most renowned heroes, King Philip II (382–336 BC) and his son, Alexander the Great (356– 323 BC). Until 30 years ago, when excavations uncovered the untouched tombs of Philip II and his grandson Alexander IV, Aegae remained relatively unknown. The most recent excavations have concentrated on the tombs of the royal women, and the exhibition shows their important role at the court. Jewellery, fashion, and objects used for grooming, as well as sacred objects, such as clay heads of divine and demonic figures, underline the leading role of these powerful women as queens, princesses and high-priestesses, offering a vivid portrayal of the female world in the palace from around 1000 to 300 BC. A centrepiece of the show will be the assemblage of five women: four dating to the Early Iron Age (1000-700 BC) and one, the ‘Lady of Aegae’, to around 500 BC. The ‘Lady of Aegae’, a queen and high-

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priestess, was found in an undisturbed tomb, bedecked with funerary goods and dressed, head-to-toe, in spectacular gold jewellery which had been sewn into her clothes. After visiting the above exhibition there will be free time to explore the remainder of Oxford.

Cost: £26 – Includes coach, driver’s tip and entry to the exhibition in the Ashmolean Museum.

Pickup Points: Yateley Road @ 8:15am or Chest Clinic, Gt. Charles St. @ 8:30am. Please note change of Harborne pick-up. This event is open to non-members and an application form is included in this magazine.

Sheffield Town Hall & Cutlers' Hall Friday 1 July 2011 On arrival we will visit the Town Hall which was officially opened on 21 May 1897 by Queen Victoria. The building was designed by Mr. E.W. Mountford with Mr. F.W. Pomeroy carrying out the carving. The extension was opened by the Prince of Wales on 29 May, 1923. We will be visiting the Lord Mayor’s Parlour, Council Chamber and a reception room. Close to the Town Hall is the Winter Garden, one of the largest glasshouses to be built in the UK. It contains more than 2,500 plants from around the world. It also contains the Café Azure.

After lunch (not included) we will visit the Cutlers’ Hall built in 1832. The finest livery hall in the north and the home of the Company of Cutlers’ in Hallamshire. We will see various richly decorated rooms and the magnificent main staircase. Tea / Coffee & biscuits to follow. There will be free time to explore other venues ie the Graves Art Gallery, situated above the Central Library, which will be showing an exhibition of Fay Godwin paintings and Paul Nash photographs. The gallery also contains a café. The cathedral is also worth visiting. Originally the parish church, it became the cathedral in 1914. One of its features is the Lantern Tower containing abstract glass by Amber Hiscott (1998).

cross the Atlantic to the American Museum near Bath with its unique collection of reconstructed rooms and its famous quilt collection. We then return to Bristol for 3 nights Dinner Bed & Breakfast at the centrally located 4* Marriot Bristol City Hotel. There is a Leisure Centre and swimming pool. SATURDAY: A day in Bath starting with a visit to the Roman Baths and its Museum. This is followed by some free time for you to explore, possibly No 1 Royal Crescent or the Abbey, (entry fees to these not included). There is also the Victoria Art Gallery (free). In the afternoon we go to the newly extended and reopened Holburne Museum and Art Gallery. This includes an excellent tearoom. Return to the hotel.

Cost: £25 – Includes coach & driver’s tip, tour of Town Hall, tour of Cutlers’ Hall with tea / coffee & biscuits.

Bristol, Bath & The Wye Valley Weekend Friday 23 - Monday 26 September 2011 Shorter distances this year and less travelling time. The usual mixture of churches, houses, galleries and the like, plus a ship! There is also the usual allocation of single rooms. FRIDAY: Depart from Great Charles St or Yateley Road and coach to Bristol Harbour and our first visit, the SS Great Britain, Brunel’s extraordinary iron steamship. After a light lunch at the cafeteria (not included) we sail down the A4 to

SUNDAY: A morning visit to Tyntesfield, (NT bring your card, entry fee not included) This amazing Victorian house is now fully opened after extensive restoration, it has a tearoom for light lunches etc (not included). In the afternoon we return to Bristol to the City Museum and Art Gallery with its wide-ranging and important collections. Return to the hotel. MONDAY: Three great churches today starting with St Mary Radcliffe, close to the hotel, considered by Elizabeth 1 to be the most beautiful in her realm. We continue via the Severn Bridge to Tintern Abbey whose ruins are one of the highlights of the Wye Valley. After the usual included 3 course lunch at the adjacent Royal George Hotel we finish with a visit to the very “unruined” Gloucester Cathedral before returning to Birmingham at approx 7pm.

Cost: £305 per person in a twin bedded room or £355 in a single. This includes travel and hotel,(3 SPRING 2011

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nights D B&B), drivers tip, all entrance charges except NT, tea/coffee and lunch as listed above.

Travel Insurance: To simplify refunds etc associated with cancellations we are asking all applicants to ensure that they have Travel Insurance. Hardings Coaches will provide Travel Insurance to cover travel and hotel for £12.50 per person if not already held. We are usually able to recover most of the other costs i.e. entrances, meals etc if we have had sufficient notice.

To Secure Your Place(s): Send the application form that is included in this magazine with your non returnable deposit of £50 per person, also please add £12.50 per person if you require Harding’s Travel Insurance. Pickup Points: Rear of BMAG, Great Charles St. @ 8:30am (NOTE: this is on the opposite side to the Chest Clinic). Yateley Road, Harborne @ 8:45am An Application form is included in this magazine.

Annual General Meeting Tuesday 12 July 2011 The AGM will be held in the Waterhall commencing at 6:30pm. As members will appreciate this is a very important meeting in the Friends’ calendar and your Committee urges every member to try to attend. It gives you, the member, the chance to air your views on the running of your association. Once again, would you please make every effort to attend this meeting which is free of charge. The formal part of the meeting will be followed by a buffet and then Adam Jaffer, Curator of World Cultures, will talk to us about his recent trip to Ghana to acquire textiles to broaden and contemporise BMAG’s collection of West African textiles. He will be bringing samples of some of the textiles he has purchased with him. The Friends

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donated £1,000 towards the cost of the trip and acquisitions (see page V for further details). In a change from previous years we are not asking for any money prior to the meeting but will have plates available in Waterhall for you to make a donation if you so wish. It is however important that we know how many will be attending for catering numbers, so please complete the Application form which is included in this mailing and return as soon as possible. Underground car parking will be available, please indicate on the application if required. If you wish to make a donation to the costs of the meeting prior to the event please indicate the amount you are donating on the Application form and include it in the amount you are paying for events bookings.

80th Birthday Garden Party at Blakesley Hall Sunday 26 June 2011 The Garden Party will be from 3:00pm until 6:00pm. We will have a private view of the hall itself plus a guided tour of the Friends flower border which we funded. There will be afternoon tea and music plus a birthday cake. Friends can arrive earlier if they wish as the Hall will be open to the public until 4:00pm. All we need is some sunshine on the day.

Cost: £10, Non-Members £12 This event is open to non-members and an Application form is included in this magazine.

Friends Guided Tours of BMAG These tours are exclusive to Friends and are provided by official BMAG tour guides. Unless otherwise stated they all start at 11am in the Round Room and cost £6.00. Please note that Lunch is not included in these events (see Luncheon Clubs).

Guided Tour (105) - “The Reason Why” by Jane Howell Friday 24 June 2011 What makes an artist decide to paint or sculpt one subject rather than another? Why this style and not that? Sometimes the reasons seem obvious but other times we are baffled. During this tour we shall attempt to discover what has motivated artists at different times and in different places. As an experiment Jane Howell will do this Guided Tour twice on the same day, firstly at 10:45 then again at 12:45. This is to avoid having a large number of Friends in a fairly small space. Please indicate your preferred time on the Application form. Guided Tour (106) “HOME OF METAL“ by TOM GROSVENOR Monday 25 July 2011 This exhibition explores how the social history of our region was a major ingredient in providing the backdrop against which Heavy Metal music was created. The display will contain music, oral history, memorabilia et cetera. We will meet in Gas Hall Reception at 11am. Application forms for these Guided Tours are included in this magazine.

Speaker Brendan Flynn, Curator (Fine Arts). Brendan will lead Friends around Gallery 20 which has been rehung with recent additions to the BMAG Contemporary Art Collection. Loans and gifts of artworks also help to enhance the collection and examples are shown here including a newly acquired screen-print by the internationally acclaimed painter John Walker, a native of this city. Friends will meet in Gallery 20 at 11:00am for a start at 11:15am. The Silver Collection - Part 2 Thursday 7 & Friday 8 July 2011 Speaker Martin Ellis Curator (Applied Art). Martin will continue from where he ended “Part1” of his tours in the galleries above the Edwardian Tea Room where the majority of the collection is displayed. Please note that this gallery is accessed from the stairs in the Industrial Gallery. If time permits we will visit some of the picture galleries. Friends will meet in the Round Room at 11:00am for a start at 11:15am. Application forms for these Luncheon Clubs are included in this magazine.

Dates For Your Diary

The following luncheon clubs have been arranged for this next quarter. We meet at 11:00am for an 11:15am start, the talks take about an hour and then we go to the Edwardian Tea Room for lunch. You will need to bring your ticket for the lunch, the cost is £13.50.

Friday 9 September Wakefield and Nostell Priory (NT). The new Hepworth Wakefield sits on the banks of the River Calder. Barbara Hepworth was born in Wakefield in 1903, and the new gallery will present her work alongside that of her contemporaries. The highlight of the collection will be a group of over 40 pieces donated by the Hepworth family.

“New Art Now 2” Tuesday 19 & Friday 22 July 2011

Set in 350 acres of parkland, Nostell Priory is built on the site of a medieval priory and has been

Luncheon Clubs

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the home of the Winn family since 1733. It is an architectural treasure by James Paine with later additions by Robert Adam. The house contains a diverse collection of Chippendale furniture.

Event Applications Membership Number Please include your membership number on the booking form; this is the 4 digit number which is printed on your membership card. It is not 528895 which is frequently quoted, that is our Charity Registration Number. Credit Notes Please note that credit notes are now only valid for 12 months from the date of issue, all credit notes issued since June 2010 clearly state this. Any “old” credit notes should therefore be used against your bookings for either this or the next edition of Artefacts. Summing Up - Please remember to: • Separate the individual forms • Complete ALL details, don’t forget things like: Pickup Point on Coach Trips, deleting dates that you can’t come to Luncheon Clubs et cetera. • Write ONE BULK Cheque made out to FBMAG for all the events that you are applying for, but please do not include your Membership subscriptions in this bulk cheque.

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• Include a S.A.E. for EACH event • Send the Forms, Cheque and S.A.E.s to: The Friends' Office, Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, Chamberlain Square, BIRMINGHAM, B3 3DH

“England“ Inspired by the exhibition “The Poetry of Drawing” Dear damsel, are you in distress? You stand there, all forlorn, in your Exquisitely embroidered dress As modelled in the days before Machinery made such a mess Of our fair land, right to the core. You wear a frown upon your face. Is it because you contemplate The motorways – such a disgrace The way they’ve carved the land of late? Or would you, if you could, erase The buildings; reclaim the estate? Your image in its gilded frame Hangs there upon the gallery wall. Have you a medieval name? Were you ever real at all? I do believe it’s such a shame We’ll never know the land you call England. Mary Wilkes

News

From the Office NEWS FROM THE OFFICE Telephone Administration & Membership 0121 303 3129 or Events 0121 464 3353 and leave a message. Someone will always get back to you. The Friends’ Office is staffed most mornings by part-time staff and volunteers.

MELISSA PAGE, ADMINISTRATOR (melissa.page.fbmag@gmail.com) LYNDA PERRIN, MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY (fbmagmembership@googlemail.com) All new membership cards for those who renewed on 1st April have been issued. Thanks to everyone who paid by cheque for their prompt replies. 33 members have changed to payment by Direct Debit, and this will reduce administrative time and stationery/postage costs. I am just starting a “trial run” of sending some membership-renewal reminders by email and would welcome your comments.

BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP • Free entry to special exhibitions in Gas Hall • Free entry to all our Community Museums • Artefacts magazine four times a year • Opportunity to join the many Friends’ social events and outings Plus discounts at the following venues (terms and conditions apply):• BM&AG and Community Museum shops • 50% entrance discount to Thinktank at Millennium Point www.thinktank.ac • Shakespeare Birthplace Trust shops (excluding admission prices) www.shakespeare.org.uk • Ironbridge Gorge Trust shops providing a

minimum of £5 is spent in one transaction. Offer excludes books, certain sales items, admission prices and café/restaurant purchases) www.ironbridge.org.uk • Potteries Museums & Art Gallery shops/ cafés www.museums.stoke.gov.uk

NEW MEMBERS A warm welcome is extended to our new members: Mr N Myerscough, Mr CJK Morgan, Dr P & Mrs R Mayer, Mrs K Hodges, Mr C Backlund, Mr JF Hickman, Mr RF Goddard, Miss H Steel, Mr ST Jones, Mr BC Smith, Mr & Mrs Gilmore, Mr A & Mrs H Dean, Mrs L Winnett, Mr S Fox, Ms JE Stanton-Brown, Mr & Mrs DJ Carpenter, Mr J & Mrs A Justham, Mrs A Frost, Mrs E Williams, Mrs A Bradbroook, Mrs C Brotherton, Mrs JA Stewart, Mr P Caesar, Mrs P Hancock, and to Mr RW Meek who is a new Patron. We have had 29 new members since the opening of the "Poetry of Drawing" exhibition, including 17 who have taken advantage of our special offer. We very much appreciate the work of all our desk volunteers and co-ordinators for regularly giving their time to promoting the Friends and encouraging so many people to join.

GIFT MEMBERSHIP Don’t forget that Gift Membership is available all year round and includes 3 free months – 15 months for the price of 12!

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The ceramic world of Garry Jones is full of humour and fun; through his work Garry’s unique play on words brings a whole new meaning to familiar phrases and a smile to everyone’s face when they meet his menagerie of clay creatures. These highly individual sculptures reflect not only Garry’s fantastic imagination and creative twist on humour; they are also fine examples of his skill as a designer and ceramic artist. There is always an exciting, ever developing range of work to choose from and Garry welcomes enquiries

Tel: 07886 412987 | www.garry-jones.co.uk

If you would like to advertise in Artefacts magazine please contact Diane Stinton on: diane@pw-media.co.uk 01905 727903

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Application Forms

Your Pull-Out Application Forms follow Detach Application(s), complete all relevant details, send with One Cheque to “FBMAG” (unless otherwise stated) for all events & Stamped Self Addressed Envelopes for each event to: Friends’ Office, Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, Chamberlain Square, Birmingham, B3 3DH

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Luncheon Club

Silver Collection Part Two

Thursday 7 and Friday 8 July 2011 Speaker - Martin Ellis

Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Membership No . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tel. No . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . When? (indicate as appropriate)

I/we require ______ place(s) at £13.50 each

q Thursday 7 July q Friday 8 July q Either date

Total = £_________________

LC010 A/B

Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

q Yes

Bristol Weekend

Friday 23 - Monday 26 September 2011

For office use

Amount included in bulk cheque to FBMAG?

q No

Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Membership No . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tel. No . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Please reserve a single/twin bedded room for me/us (Delete as appropriate)

q Yateley Road - 8:45am

I/we require Travel Insurance @ £12.50 each = £____.____ + Deposit for _____ place(s) @ £50 each = £____.____ Amount included in bulk cheque to FBMAG?

q Yes

Annual General Meeting Tuesday 12 July 2011

3 q No

For office use

Pick-up Points q Rear of BMAG, Great Charles Street - 8:30am

EV018

Special diets or other comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Membership No . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Car parking required?

q Yes

q No

I would like to make a donation of £____.____ towards the expenses of the evening

For office use

I will / will not be attending the AGM, Please reserve . . . . . . . place(s) for me

A003

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tel. No . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Trustees at Work! Committee Away Day 2011 Trustees seem to spend a lot of time around a committee table, either at our five main Committee meetings a year or at other smaller meetings. They also work very hard in their own particular areas of expertise in their own time. Once a year, however, we all take a day out together to discuss pressing issues in more depth and also to get to know each other better. In these photos you can see us deep in discussion in the Education Room in the Museum of the Jewellery Quarter with Melissa trying to catch our thoughts on paper. (You wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t see pictures of our Chairman as she was taking the photos!).

Autumn 20102011The Friends of BM&AG SPRING ARTEFACTS

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Oxford - Ashmolean Museum Tuesday 7 June 2011

4 5 6

I/we require ______ place(s) at £26.00 each. Total = £_________________

q Yes

For office use

Amount included in bulk cheque to FBMAG?

EV019

Pick-up Points q Yateley Road - 8:15am q Chest Clinic, Great Charles Street - 8:30am

q No

Sheffield - Town Hall & Cutlers' Hall Friday 1 July 2011

Amount included in bulk cheque to FBMAG?

q Yes

q No

Luncheon Club New Art Now 2

Tuesday 19 and Friday 22 July 2011 Speaker - Brendan Flynn

For office use

I/we require ______ place(s) at £25.00 each. Total = £_________________

EV020

Pick-up Points q Yateley Road - 8:15am q Chest Clinic, Great Charles Street - 8:30am

I/we require ______ place(s) at £13.50 each

q Tuesday 19 July q Friday 22 July q Either date

Amount included in bulk cheque to FBMAG?

Total = £_________________

q Yes

q No

For office use

When? (indicate as appropriate)

LC011 A/B

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tel. No . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Acquisitions Continuing our Acquisitions through the decades, during the 1960s we presented The Head of a Boy (possibly Angelino Cartioni) Accession No 1961P36, a bronze sculpture by Aimes Jules Dalou. This is featured on the front cover, it is also on display in the "In Touch" Gallery 15. From the 1970s we have selected the Oil Painting The Holy Family with Angels, Accession No 1975P407, by Petro B da Cortona (School of).

New Artwork: 3 Dimensional Commission Bringing us up-to-date with the new artwork referred to by the Chairman on page 3, Toby Watley, Head of Interpretation & Exhibitions says: 3 Dimensional Commission for the Birmingham History Galleries

New From Ghana In March I travelled to Ghana to research traditional and contemporary textiles. The visit was supported by the Museums Association with the Friends generously providing funding for the acquisition of textiles whilst I was there. Textiles produced in Ghana are exceptionally rich and diverse. Despite many changes in Ghanaian society since independence in 1957, textiles such as hand-printed adinkra cloth and hand-woven kente cloth still require the use of traditional skills and retain an aesthetic sense which makes them so appealing. They exist alongside modern factory-made wax and fancy print designs which employ an immense array of geometric, abstract and figurative designs.

The commission process is moving fast now. We have invited four internationally respected artists, working in glass and metal, to provide outline ideas and costings according to brief, which has outlined the Friends’ and the museum’s ambitions for the project. We will be in a position to report on the selected artist in our next edition of Artefacts.

To collect textiles I visited the village of Ntonso (the traditional home of adinkra), the vast Makola Market in Accra and spent time with a master Ewe kente weaver at his compound also in Accra. The new acquisitions complement BMAG’s pre-existing textile

collections from West Africa and highlight both continuity and change. We anticipate some will also be on display for the Style Africa exhibition opening in 2012. Adam Jaffer, Curator of World Cultures

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Guided Tour 105 The Reason Why

Friday 24 June 2011

Tour Guide - Jane Howell

7 8 9

Amount included in bulk cheque to FBMAG?

q Yes

q No

Guided Tour 106 Home of Metal

Monday 25 July 2011

Tour Guide - Tom Grosvenor

For office use

Preferred Time: q 10:45am q 12:45am q Either Time

GT105

I/we require ______ place(s) at £6.00 each. Total = £_________________

Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Membership No . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

I/we require ______ place(s) at £6.00 each. Total = £_________________ Amount included in bulk cheque to FBMAG?

q Yes

q No

Blakesley Hall Garden Party Sunday 26 June 2011

For office use

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tel. No . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

GT106

Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

q Yes

q No

For office use

Amount included in bulk cheque to FBMAG?

EV021

I/we require ______ place(s) at £10 (£12 Non-Members) each. Total = £_________________

If you are finding this magazine interesting and you are not a member of Friends of Birmingham Museums & Art Gallery Please consider joining us, or giving membership to someone as a present (Gift Membership gives 3 extra months free) A Membership Application Form is printed overleaf If giving membership as a gift please complete your details below and your recipientâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s details overleaf Your Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Address

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Post Code

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Tel No

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Send Gift Package direct to recipient?

q Yes q No

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APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP OF FRIENDS OF BIRMINGHAM MUSEUMS & ART GALLERY PLEASE WRITE IN CAPITAL LETTERS Title . . . . . . . . . Initials . . . . . . . . . . . Surname . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................. Postcode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tel. No. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Email address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MEMBERSHIP CATEGORY AND ANNUAL RATES (Please tick) SINGLE Conc. Student DOUBLE (Includes children under 16) Conc.

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I enclose a cheque for £___________ Please send this completed form, together with your cheque made payable to F.B.M.A.G to the address on page 4 of Artefacts. DATA PROTECTION ACT - For membership and accounting needs your details are held on a computerised Database for Friends' Office use ONLY Please tick here if you are a UK taxpayer and would like this and any future donations to be Tax effective under the Gift Aid Scheme until I notify you otherwise

Learning at BMAG - A Special Session for the Friends - 8 March 2011

The Learning Department at BMAG recently hosted a special ‘open-day’ event for the Friends about the museum’s service for schools. The event was designed to give a glimpse behind the scenes in the Learning Department and included a visit to the Learning Zone and handling of loans boxes used by schools as well as a look at some of the evaluation work carried out by BMAG to demonstrate the value and importance of museum education. The event kicked-off in the Round Room. Richard Statham, the Head of Learning, and Amy Burrill, Schools Loans Officer, greeted the group and gave an introduction to the service, which provided taught sessions for 42,294 children and young people in 09 – 10 as well as organising self-guided visits for a further 11,000. In addition, over 20,000 children took part in outreach sessions or used loans boxes provided by BMAG during the year. Since then, usage of the service has further risen, in spite of the introduction of charging in January 10, with popular sessions ranging from Ancient Egypt, Rome and Greece to Pre-Raphaelite Art, Tudor and Victorian Britain and some science-based topics. The service prides itself on providing schools with a ‘bespoke’ service. Richard traced the story of BMAG’s education service back to the days of Tim Brighouse and his theory of ‘traumatic learning’ – which is not as bad as it sounds as the evidence is that children learn more if experiences are out of the ordinary and exciting. After time spent in the galleries looking at some of the more important paintings used by schools, the group

moved down to the Learning Zone to inspect the range of classrooms and other facilities for school visits, including the lunch area, which is open to the public when not in use by schools. After refreshments, there were opportunities for the group to take a look at a few examples from our collection of over two hundred loans boxes specially designed for schools, including Roman artefacts and a stuffed stoat. The group was then joined by Hazel Cartledge, who has been providing services for schools visiting Sarehole Mill as well as programmes for young people at risk of worklessness. Hazel introduced programmes taking place at the Community Museums and the group went on to discuss some of the difficulties – and benefits – in running programmes at our sites for young people who are not in education, employment and training (NEETS). The session ended up with a summary of research which has been carried out by BMAG to demonstrate the positive impact of museum education and its importance in the delivery of the curriculum. This included the results collated from over 3,500 teacher session evaluation forms which clearly demonstrate the impact of museum education on knowledge, skills and understanding as well as on pupil’s attitude and motivation to learn. Richard thanked the Friends for their past contribution to the service and pointed out that it was very likely that there would be further opportunities to work together in the future. Richard Statham Head of Learning, BMAG

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Rita McLean's Autumn Report I regret needing to begin this report with the news that we have had to commence formal consultation with BMAG staff about potential changes to our staff structure and organisation. This is in relation to the Museums Service, along with all departments of Birmingham City Council, having to make significant savings over the next few years. We are at a very early stage in the process and I will also ensure that the Friends are kept informed and consulted. As part of the aforementioned financial position of the service, we have had to look at areas where we can increase income generation. This has included the introduction of charging at Aston Hall, Blakesley Hall, Sarehole Mill and Soho House. The MJQ has been charging since January 2011. However, Friends of BMAG will still be able to visit all of the sites free of charge. We are also continuing to participate in scoping the options for new governance and delivery arrangements for the City’s museum service in the light of the current challenging economic climate. A possible scenario is that the museums service will move to Trust status, consideration is also being given to the possible integration of BMAG and Thinktank. I am grateful to your Chairman, Deborah, for agreeing to participate in the Steering Group that has been

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set up to oversee exploring the options, her input is very valuable. Again this is all at an early stage. Moving on to more “normal business”, I am pleased to tell you that the Poetry of Drawing: Pre-Raphaelite Designs, Studies & Watercolours exhibition (which runs until 15 May) has received great critical acclaim and is proving to be very popular with 11,500 visitors (up to w/e 2 April). Our next exhibition in the Gas Hall will be Home of Metal opening on 18 June. Home of Metal will feature music, memorabilia, artwork, video, oral histories and high profile loans. This unique exhibition will attract new audiences to BMAG, particularly amongst young people and music fans. Spring has arrived at Community Museums - with the completion of the enhanced access to the mill

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and view of the pond at Sarehole, the emergence of crocuses at Weoley and the blooms are out in the Friends flower border at Blakesley. There is also new planting and the introduction of a bee hive at Sarehole adding the potential for Sarehole Honey to the great range of products sold in our gift shops. The Museums service continues to support local practising artists and we recently launched a Jewellery Quarter Silver exhibition at the MJQ showcasing the talent and creativity that thrives there. The highlight of the exhibition is a recent silver commission – a fabulous silver bowl by Kevin Grey. Work on the Birmingham History Galleries project continues on the 3rd floor at BMAG and I am very pleased to say that the lift in Edmund Street has now re-opened. Finally, internationally renowed Punjabi singer and actor Sarbjit Cheema recently filmed his latest music video at Aston Hall. Sarbjit Cheema picked Aston Hall out himself as the feature venue for his first song to be released from his debut album. You can access the video via http://www.youtube. com/watch?v=da6Ro8GaEpQ. Rita McLean Head of Museums & Heritage Services

What's On

Upcoming Events MAIN MUSEUM & ART GALLERY OPENING TIMES AND TELEPHONE NUMBERS Times: Mon - Thurs and Sat 10am - 5pm, Fri 10:30 am - 5:00 pm, Sun 12:30 pm - 5:00 pm. Telephone Numbers: Control Room 0121 303 4215, Reception 0121 303 2834

Gas Hall The Poetry of Drawing: Pre-Raphaelite Designs, Studies and Watercolours Until Sunday 15 May 2011 The Poetry of Drawing is the most comprehensive survey of Pre-Raphaelite works on paper ever staged, showcasing the collections of fine and applied art held at BMAG alongside key works from public and private collections. So far over 12,000 have visited this must see exhibition, and there are only a couple of weeks left before it is transferred to the Art Gallery of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia. This is a paying exhibition; Friends will get in free on production of their membership card.

Home Of Metal Saturday 18 June – Sunday 25 September “Heavy Metal was born in the West Midlands and has developed a global following matched only in Hip-Hop. It’s time to stop sneering and celebrate this proud cultural heritage…” Daniel Trilling, New Statesman.

For too long Birmingham and the Black Country have failed to celebrate what is rightfully theirs - to claim the city and the region as the birthplace of ‘Heavy Metal’. Home of Metal is a celebration of the music that was created in the West Midlands, its legacy and influence across the world. This major exhibition will explore how the social history of the region was a fundamental ingredient in providing the backdrop against which Heavy Metal was created, defined and reshaped over the decades. The key bands who inform the Home of Metal exhibition are Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, Napalm Death and Godflesh. Apart from their postal codes and accents, all of these bands share a common trait in that they were all unwilling to conform to the established rules and guidelines of their respective music scenes. They embraced originality and established new genres that continue to be a global inspiration to millions of music fans and have helped put Birmingham & the Black Country on the musical map.

In the Main Galleries GALLERY 16 The Staffordshire Hoard This small selection of the beautiful finds of July 2009 still attracts much attention. Since its move to this Gallery over 250,000 have visited it.

GALLERY 20 – New Art Now 2 Recent additions to the BMAG Contemporary Art Collection

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In 2007 BMAG, in partnership with New Art Gallery, Walsall and Ikon Gallery, was awarded a £1m bursary by the Art Fund to establish a collection of international contemporary art. The aim is to add a truly global element to the existing collections and to create a cultural resource for the West Midlands region – one of the most diverse communities in Europe. Ikon Gallery has played a key role in the scheme, offering expert advice and encouragement. The collection has been developed around the theme of artist’s responses to the physical and social landscape of the modern metropolis. Some of the works acquired through the Art Fund International scheme, which ends in 2012, are shown here. The collection continues to grow embracing painting, drawing, printmaking, film, video, and installation. Loans and gifts of artworks also help to enhance the collection and examples are shown here including a newly acquired screen-print by the internationally acclaimed painter John Walker, a native of this city. Two Luncheon Clubs have been arranged in conjunction with this newly hung exhibition.

Public Gallery Events Arranged by BMAG Exclusive tours of the Staffordshire Hoard Wednesdays 1 June, 6 July, 3 August, 12:30pm – 1:45pm. A tour of the Hoard in the gallery followed by a visit to the Conservation studios to see (and talk to!) expert staff cleaning pieces of the Hoard. Tickets are £20 per head

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Booking is essential for all the above events – numbers are limited and they are likely to be very popular. Please ring 0121 303 1966 for tickets. For any further information visit www.bmag. org.uk or contact Julia Kirby on 0121 303 2836

In search of a Masterpiece - a talk by Christopher Lloyd Wednesday 25 May, 1pm in Waterhall BMAG are pleased to work with publishers Thames and Hudson to present Christopher Lloyd's talk 'In Search of a Masterpiece' to launch his new book. Christopher is the president of NADFAS and a fine art curator, journalist, Art Fund trustee and TV presenter (a six part series on the Royal Collection). Tickets are £6 and advance booking is available from the Gas Hall reception, 0121 303 1966, or on-line at www.bmag.org.uk/events.

Programme of curatorial talks – 2011 3rd Tuesday of the month at 1pm Theme: Victorian Values – Art and artefacts as a window on Victorian society and its ideals, Cost: £2. Victorian Fashion and Accessories in Art 17 May - Zelina Garland The Te Deum Window by Burlison & Grylls 21 June - Martin Ellis Rags to Riches: Social Hierarchy in Ford Madox Brown’s “Work” 19 July - Hen Lockhart The Gaskins and their Circle 16 August - Victoria Osborne The Founding of BMAG 20 September - Jo-Ann Curtis

Victorian Jewellery 18 October - Fiona Slattery The Art of Wood 15 November - Sylvia Crawley Christmas Spirit? Victorian attitudes to poverty in art 20 December - Hen Lockhart

The Museum Collections Centre The MCC is at 25 Dollman Street, Nechells, Birmingham, B7 4RQ; it is one of the biggest museum stores in the country, a warehouse crammed with every type of object you can imagine, held in storage for BMAG. Free tours of the MCC take place on the last Friday of every month at 11:00am and 2:00pm. There is no charge but booking is advisable on 0121 303 2836 / 675 2579

MCC Public Open Days Monday 2 May (Bank Holiday) & Sunday 21 August, 10:30am - 5:00pm Come along to another of our popular free open days when visitors get a chance to explore the stored collections at their leisure. There is always a new nostalgic treat to discover, whether your interest is in ceramics, transport, science and industry, domestic objects, sculpture, natural history, and much more! Please note there is free car parking on-site. If there are any Friends willing to volunteer on one of these most enjoyable days please contact Phil Watson on 0121 303 4366 or phil.watson@birmingham.gov.uk. The main duties are staffing the aisles, store rooms and other areas and helping out with the visitor evaluation. Only qualities required are that you be ’helpful and watchful'!

Ancient Civilisations Study Day Friday 17 June, 9:30am – 3:30pm Join Phil Watson at the MCC for this informal study day aimed at enthusiastic amateurs. The day is very practical and will involve handling sessions and tours. £35 per ticket includes lunch and refreshments. Booking is essential – numbers are limited. Please ring 0121 303 1966 for tickets. For any further information visit www.bmag.org.uk or contact Julia Kirby on 0121 303 2836

Community Museums The Museum of the Jewellery Quarter is open all year, Tues - Sat & Bank Holiday Mondays 10:30am - 4:00pm. Aston Hall, Soho House, Blakesley Hall and Sarehole Mill are now open for the Summer season. Due to the Financial position of the Museum Service charges have been introduced. Entry to shops and Tea Rooms will still be free but entry to the Halls at Blakesley and Aston, the Mill at Sarehole and Tours of the MJQ will be charged. All will be free to Friends on production of their membership cards.

BIG BRUM OPEN TOP HISTORY BUZ From Edmund Street, hourly from 11:30am 3.30pm. Adults £3, children free. For more details and a timetable please telephone 0121 464 2193. Manufactories and Mansions Sunday 5 June Calling at Aston Hall, Soho House and the Pen Room Tolkien and Tudors Sunday 3 July Calling at Sarehole Mill and Blakesley Hall All sites are free on the above dates.

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Museum of the Jewellery Quarter 75–79 Vyse Street, Hockley, Birmingham B18 6HA. Tel: 0121 554 3598.

residents learned simple silversmithing techniques with designer maker, Louise Cheshire. They also put this experience into context by exploring the manufacturing heritage of the Jewellery Quarter.

Family Fun Activity The Museum of the Jewellery Quarter (open throughout the year), houses a perfectly preserved jewellery workshop offering a unique glimpse of working life in Birmingham’s famous Jewellery Quarter.

Tuesday 31 May – Friday 3 June, 1pm – 3pm. Join a local designer/maker led workshop; create a piece of artwork to take home. Booking essential, £2.50 per session.

Midsummer Walk AN EXHIBITION OF CONTEMPORARY SILVER Until 30 July 2011

Saturday 25 June Lively walk around the Jewellery Quarter with local historian Dr Chris Upton. Limited places so booking essential.

Jazz in the courtyard Saturday 2 July Outdoor jazz performances as part of the 27th Birmingham International Jazz Festival.

Summer Holiday Family Fun Activity

This stunning exhibition showcases a newly commissioned piece of silver by Birmingham silversmith Kevin Grey. The piece celebrates the historic Jewellery Quarter, drawing inspiration from the area, its buildings and architecture. Kevin Grey reveals in his work the extraordinary skill and creativity that thrives in the Jewellery Quarter today. The exhibition gives insight into the processes involved in making the piece of silver including preparatory works and photographs of the silversmith in his workshop. The exhibition also displays a collection of spoons made by participants of the Cultural Champions project. These Ladywood

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Thursdays 4, 11, 18 and 25 August, 11am – 1pm A series of summer holiday workshops suitable for all the family; create a piece of artwork to take home. Booking essential, £2.50 per session.

Aston Hall Trinity Road, Aston, Birmingham, B6 6JD Tel: 0121 675 4722

Garden Talk Tuesday 10 May Weather permitting! A lively walk and talk on the history of Aston’s garden. Meet in the Stables Courtyard at 2:00pm. Free

Young Readers’ Birmingham Book Bash

For the Young Readers Festival. Free

Sunday 29 May – Monday 30 May Two fantastic days of free events, from 11am – 4pm with an exciting line up of top children’s authors, poets and storytellers.

In the Jungle: Crazy Animal Cards

Family Craft Activities

The Lost Gardens of Soho

Wednesday 1 June Make a stained glass suncatcher to take home. Slots at 1:30, 2:00, 2:30 and 3:00, £1 per child.

Saturday 11 June A garden study afternoon and tour. Discover the history of Matthew Boulton's landscaped park and gardens, and find out how they have been recreated today. Prebooking essential. Afternoon cream tea included. £10

Aston Heritage Day Saturday 18 June Be amazed by Aston! Find out about Aston’s heritage. Many local sites open to the public today.

Soho House Soho Avenue, Handsworth, Birmingham, B18 5LB. Tel: 0121 554 9122

Friday 3 June Drop-in children's craft activity. £1

Soho House Roof Tour Sunday 26 June See where Matthew Boulton watched the stars. Timed ticket admission, limited places available on the day. Free.

Family Fun Friday Fridays 29 July, 5, 12, 19 and 26 August Drop-in children's craft activity. £1

Soho House Roof Tour Sunday 29 May, 12 – 4pm See where Matthew Boulton watched the stars. Timed admission, limited places available on the day. Free

Meet the Housekeeper Monday 30 May, 12 – 4pm Discover more about life below stairs and join a costumed historical demonstrator to enjoy some sights and smells of the past. Free with admission ticket.

Sitting Pretty! Tuesday 31 May Make a swinging parrot window decoration. Drop-in children's craft activity. £1

Children's storytelling Thursday 2 June

Blakesley Hall Blakesley Road, Yardley, Birmingham, B25 8RN. Tel: 0121 464 2193.

Family Craft Activities Tuesday 31 May, Thursday 2 June. 12:30 - 3:30pm, £1.00 per child.

Garden Party Bank Holiday Monday 30 May 2011, 12 - 4pm A celebration of Blakesley’s wonderful gardens. Garden tours, country dancing, plant sales and garden games.

Falconry Day Sunday 19 June Eagles, hawks and falcons take to the air.

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12 – 4pm, Adults £2, children free.

Laydes Nite

the steam engine and listen to the baker to find out what it was Like to be a baker in the 1850s. Adults £2, Children Free.

Thursday 23 June Learn how to be a Tudor domestic goddess!

Weoley Castle Sarehole Mill Cole Bank Road, Hall Green, Birmingham, B13 0BD. Tel: 0121 777 6612.

Alwold Road, Weoley Castle, Birmingham, B29 5RJ. Telephone bookings via Blakesley Hall 0121 464 2193

Guided Walk Sarehole Mill is fully open until the end of October, Tuesday to Sunday from 12:00 to 4:00pm. Milling takes place on the first Sunday of the month. Closed on Mondays except for Bank Holidays.

Sunday 8th May 2011, 2pm. Free

Ramblers’ Get Walking Day

Sunday 17 July. 1:00 to 4:00pm Sword and archery demonstration. Free

Family Craft Activity Friday 3 June 1:30 to 3:30pm. Free

A Call to Arms Saturday 7 May 2011, 12-4pm (Walk at 1pm) Join family activities or an organised taster walk along the river Cole. Free step counters for new walkers. Free.

Middle Earth Weekend Saturday 21 & Sunday 22 May 2011, 11-5pm Entry to the mill and grounds are free. Some activities /performances may charge.

Family Craft Activity Wednesday 1 June. Make an artwork to take home. £1.

Storytelling in the Mill Yard Sunday 5 June. Part of Young Readers Festival www.birmingham.gov.uk/youngreaders. Free.

Tolkien Themed Guided Walk Saturday 18 June. To Moseley Bog - duration approx. 1 hour. Please wear sturdy shoes. Free.

Victorian Day at the Mill Sunday 26 June. Enjoy a Magic Lantern show, meet our Victorian engineer to discuss

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Wightwick Manor has an extensive talks programme in 2011 On Monday 23 May, Sanderson representative Caroline Bennett-Jane gives a highly informative and lavishly illustrated talk on the history of Morris & Co. Throughout the year Wightwick Manor House Steward, Helen Bratt-Wyton will host a series of walking tours. This isa unique chance to see items from the collection not usually on show. Highlights include Morris and the Kelmscott Press, William De Morgan & The Life and Works of Lizzie Siddal. Later in the year hear about the delights of Morris & Co. at Standen from Visitor Services Manager Christopher Hill. All talk tickets must be booked in advance. Exhibition is open from 12:30 - 4:30. Entrance to the exhibition is by timed ticket available on the day at visitor reception. Please check our website for open days.

For more information or to book talk tickets call Lisa Fleetwood on 01902 761400 or visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/wightwickmanor

Reviews

Recent Events 80th Birthday Reception Friends for 80 years!

at the tremendous achievements of the last 80 years since the Friends were formed in 1931 – and looked forward to the exciting prospects which await us in the next 80 years and beyond. She also announced that the Friends have agreed to commission an exciting major art installation which will hang from the ceiling in the new History Galleries.

The Poetry of Drawing We launched our 80th Birthday celebrations in style on Tuesday 22nd February in BMAG’s magnificent Round Room – revealing a birthday year packed full of events. Dr. Jennifer Young, one of the Friends’ Committee members, presented a cheque for £26,016.55 to Councillor Martin Mullaney, Birmingham City Council’s Cabinet Member for Leisure Sport and Culture. The cheque represented the fantastic fundraising efforts she has coordinated for the Friends, raising this grand sum to help with the research, conservation and display of the Staffordshire Hoard. Councillor Mullaney said: “I am immensely grateful to the Friends of Birmingham Museums & Art Gallery for their sterling fundraising efforts in support of the Staffordshire Hoard. The money raised will make a huge contribution to moving forward on the extensive programme of conservation work now underway. Over the years, the Friends have given invaluable support to the Museum in so many ways and I wish them all the very best in their 80th year.” Deborah de Haes, our Chair, looked back

Pre-Raphaelite Designs, Studies and Watercolours Victoria Osborne, who co-curated this exhibition with Colin Cruise from the University of Aberystwyth, led two Lunch Clubs in the Gas Hall. Around two thirds of the pieces are from the Museum’s own collection. Others have been borrowed and some, from private collections are on public view for the first time. The huge range of work goes from early training in drawing at the Royal Academy School to late cartoons and portraits and examples of work by some of those influenced by the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood (PRB). The work shows how the PRB changed portrayal of the human body from idealised to realistic and attempted to show emotion in drawings and paintings rather than the cool classical styles that had gone before. The PRB gave drawings to each other and used each other as models. We saw Rossetti’s picture of Holman Hunt and Hunt’s of Rossetti. Dante Rossetti also drew his usually sweet and calm sister, Christina, throwing a tantrum. As well as works by John Ruskin, there are works by other, less wellknown Pre-Raphaelites and their admirers, of detailed aspects of nature and landscapes. Further, the very familiar paintings from the

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Museum, The Long Engagement, The Last of England and the Finding of Christ in the Temple, have been brought to the Gas Hall to be seen from a different perspective in the context of their preparatory drawings and other work.

the Lalique collection of glass and jewellery was definitely the favourite while the Almeida House-Museum was a work of art in its entirety - and for those of a mechanical bent an oasis of happiness could be found at the Coach Museum.

The exhibition is too big to describe in detail and requires several visits to absorb it all. This is a great advantage of being a Friend. We can go as many times as we like! Carol Miller

Beyond Lisbon, we explored a little of the Portuguese coast and countryside – visiting fishing villages, a hilltop Moorish Castle with spectacular views, a wine cooperative (winetasting included) and of course the UNESCO World Heritage site of Sintra, the place favoured by the kings of Portugal for their summer retreat from the heat of Lisbon.

Lisbon Art and Culture Tour 6 – 12 April 2011 A fitting starting point for our trip to Lisbon was a talk on the Romans in Lusitania given by David Johnson a few days before we left Birmingham. In Lisbon this historical context was continued in brilliant commentaries from our expert guides, Ana and Isobel, who told us a great deal about the later political and social history of Portugal while they showed us the wealth of art and cultural artefacts in their art museums and churches and their palaces and gardens. Our first visit was to Belen at the mouth of the river Tagus, the town inextricably linked with Portugal’s golden age of discovery - which filled the royal coffers of Manuel 1 and led to the building of grand monuments, churches and palaces. At the Belen Tower and the Monastery of St Jerome Ana pointed out the features of the manuelian style as we enjoyed the views along the river in the spring sunshine. Our visits to the museums of Lisbon provided something for everyone’s taste. Perhaps it was the Exhibition of ‘Portuguese Primitives’ at the National Museum of Art or a favoured European artist - The Temptations of St Anthony by Hieronymus Bosch attracted a large crowd – or a beautiful oriental screen in the Far East galleries or the gold and silver collection. At the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum,

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The National Palace, which dates from the Middle Ages, is decorated very much in the Moorish artistic tradition with walls and doorways covered with ‘azulejos’ of several different designs and colours and with some beautifully painted ceilings of swans and magpies or galleons and mermaids. On our final day we ‘returned’ to Lusitania and visited the Roman remains at Evora. These included the monumental Temple of Diana and, unexpectedly, excavated roman baths beneath the floor of the Town Hall. Back in Lisbon, the day finished with an excellent fish dinner at the Golden Lion Restaurant. Thank you John for organising such a successful trip – enjoyed by all. Joyce Stewart and Honor Dixon

Friends'

Diary Dates June 7 * Oxford – Ashmolean Museum exhibition 24 * Guided Tour (105) – Jane Howell – “The Reason Why?” 26 * Blakesley Hall – 80th Birthday Garden Party

July 1 * Sheffield – Town hall, Cutlers’ Hall 7 * Luncheon Club – Martin Ellis - The Silver Collection Part 2 (1) 8 * Luncheon Club – Martin Ellis - The Silver Collection Part 2 (2) 12 * AGM and Talk by Adam Jaffer, Curator of World Cultures 19 * Luncheon Club – Brendan Flynn - “New Art Now 2” (1) 22 * Luncheon Club – Brendan Flynn - “New Art Now 2” (2) 25 * Guided Tour (106) – Tom Grosvenor – “Home of Metal”

September 9 + Wakefield – the new Barbara Hepworth Gallery and Nostell Priory 23-26 * Bristol Weekend Away

* Details and application forms are enclosed with this mailing ** Fully booked, sorry

# Included in a previous mailing, but still some places available $ Event arranged by BMAG

Th th e n e S ex ed um t Ar it m te pu ion er fac bl wil 20 ts, in ish l b 11 Ju ed e , ly

+ Dates for your diary, no applications in this mailing