Touchstones Rochdale - Oct 2014-Mar 2015

October 2014 - March 2015

Four Seasons in One Day until 7 March 2015 This exhibition from the borough’s art collection explores the four seasons through a range of historic and contemporary works of art. Springtime blossom, summer sunshine, autumn leaves and winter snows are all captured in work from a range of artists including Adrian Berg, Joseph Farquharson, Edward Stott and a recent acquisition by ceramicist Halima Cassell.

Jilly Edwards: Wanderlust 26 September – 22 November 2014 Jilly Edwards is one of the UK’s leading tapestry weavers.

Over the course of her 40 year career, she has exhibited internationally and has tapestries in collections in the UK, USA and Japan. The tapestries in this exhibition explore Edwards’ journeys through different landscapes, including new works in a vivid yellow colour palette.

Photography: Mei Lim

Rosa Nguyen: Sanctuary 26 September – 22 November 2014 Touchstones Rochdale is an Asia Triennial Manchester 2014 Partner and will be showing a new installation by Rosa Nguyen incorporating ceramics, glass and natural material to link with the festival theme of conflict and compassion. www.asiatriennialmanchester.com

Vladimir Sherwood, Picking Cobnuts (c.1860)

GalleryOne

Daksha Patel: Bodytopos 13 December 2014 – 7 March 2015

The Gallery for Everyone

Bodytopos is an exhibition of Daksha Patel’s drawings and prints that map the human body and its interaction with the environment. It includes new work in response to digital scans and environmental datasets. Her drawings experiment with materials such as clay, fat and natural pigments, as well as graphite on paper.

Natalie Giannikitzakis: Act Naturally until 8 November 2014 Recent Fine Art graduate Natalie Giannikitzakis explores the subtleties of body language through highly detailed pencil drawings.

Natalie Giannikitzakis: Shy

Stephen Pinnell: Waiting for the Miracle 15 November 2014 – 14 February 2015 Paintings by local artist Stephen Pinnell.

Glennis Brierley: Celebrating A Creative Life 21 February – 30 May 2015 Local artist Glennis Brierley died tragically in December 2013. This exhibition celebrates the richness and diversity of her artistic talents through paintings, drawings, embroideries and mixed media work representing a lifetime of creativity.

We welcome applications for Gallery One exhibitions from anyone who lives or works in the borough of Rochdale – just ask for an application form.

Junko Mori

Image courtesy of Adrian Sassoon, London

Art Gallery

See a wide variety of exhibitions in the Art Gallery’s four gallery spaces including those from the local community in Gallery One, selections from the borough’s impressive art collection and work by contemporary artists in the Contemporary Forward programme supported by Arts Council England.

A Common Ground: Ikuko Iwamoto, Junko Mori and Kayo Saito 13 December 2014 – 7 March 2015 A Common Ground brings together the work of three UKbased, Japanese-born artists who have a shared interest in the natural world as a source of inspiration for their work.

Ikuko Iwamoto makes tableware and sculptural ceramics based on the repetitive patterns such as those seen through a microscope. Junko Mori’s metalwork consists of multiples of individually forged steel, with her observations of tree and plant matter the driving force behind her sculptures.

Kayo Saito’s jewellery is influenced by plants and organic forms, whose apparent fragility, structure and vital energy stimulate her creativity.

The Contemporary Forward programme is supported by Arts Council England.

Ikuko Iwamoto

Kayo Saito

Talking Heads Heritage Gallery until 18 April 2015 Portraits are brought to life in this exhibition as personal objects are explored and stories are told. Talking Heads celebrates some of the people of Rochdale who have given to the borough.

The exhibition features faces from the past as well as the present. From celebrities such as Gracie Fields to philanthropists like Thomas Watson, each portrait will tell you about themselves and what they have done for the town.

Meet the Heape family who helped to create Rochdale’s Art Gallery and Museum.

Find out why Thomas Watson built Rochdale Infirmary and explore the artwork of Tim Bobbin.

James Ogden by H. Barrett Carpenter, 1910

Heritage Gallery & Local Studies

Museum

A changing programme of exhibitions bringing Rochdale’s past to life. The Heritage Gallery draws on the many extraordinary and rare objects in our museum and archives collections. Each exhibition concentrates on a different aspect of our borough’s fascinating history.

The exhibition includes hands-on activities for younger visitors.

Local Studies Centre Discover the past for yourself first hand. Whether you’re interested in local history, want to trace your family roots or just want to know a little more about the street you live on, we can help you find out more.

Our collections include maps, photographs, ephemera, archives and local newspapers on microfilm.

Free internet access including ancestry.com is also available.

Just pop in and our friendly staff will help with your enquiries.

Our family friendly Museum is the place to find out all about Rochdale borough’s heritage from famous faces to the lives of ordinary people, there’s loads to see and do.

Events for Children & Families

M6 Theatre Company present Whatever the Weather

All children must be accompanied by an adult (max. 3 children per adult).

Booking required unless stated otherwise – please note this can only be made two weeks prior to the event on 01706 924492 or in person at Touchstones Rochdale.

Activities are FREE unless stated otherwise.

Fri 20 Feb Shows at 11am or 2pm

charming Living Prints Bringing the outside in, M6’s new production is set in the multi-sensory

Tues 17 Feb world of a traditional weather house.

1.30pm-3pm Two loveable characters diligently monitor

Join artist Frances the ever-changing weather. He is happy in Walker for this the bright, warm sunshine. She is happy drop-in session in the wet, refreshing rain. linked to the A But what happens when the winds of Common Ground change blow? exhibition to create Book your free tickets from simple prints on fabric M6 Theatre on 01706 inspired by natural forms.

355898 or email admin@ Drop-in session. m6theatre.co.uk No booking required.

Suitable for ages 3+ Suitable for 5-12 year olds.

Every Tuesday until 3 March (No sessions 23 and 30 Dec) 11am-11.45am Creative discovery and sensory play sessions in the Art Gallery for babies aged 0-2 and their parents. No need to book, just drop in.

This project is funded by the NHS Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale Clinical Commissioning Group.

Nature Tiles

Fri 31 Oct 1.30pm-3pm Join artist Alison Cooper

to create your own clay Every Saturday from 20 Sept to 6 Dec (except 25 Oct) and tile with relief prints from 10 Jan – 28 March. 10.30am-12noon or 1pm-2.30pm leaves and other natural An exciting weekly programme of art and craft activities materials linked to the for families to do together. Tickets cost £3 per child Sanctuary exhibition. per workshop and accompanying adults go free.

Booking required.

Tickets are only available to book via Suitable for 5-12 years. www.eventbrite.co.uk - search for Touchstones Rochdale.

Suitable for 5-12 years.

Holiday Quizzes

during Available term: October half Sat 25 Oct – Sat 1 Nov February half term: Sat 14 Feb – Sat 21 Feb

Spooktastic FREE Family Fun Day Thurs 30 Oct 11am-2pm There are plenty of FREE spooky activities and ghoulish goings on at Touchstones this Halloween inspired by Rochdale’s haunted, horrible histories!

This family quiz takes you on a

Try your hand at the fiendishly frightful arts tour of the exciting exhibitions and crafts activity stations if you dare! Why not and once completed you can also go on our 30 minute Blue Badge guided enter the free prize draw to family tour of three infamous haunted hotpots in win a high street gift card. the town centre? Tours start 11.30am, 12.30pm or Free drop-in activity.

1.30pm - just sign up on the day.

The Big Draw

Thurs 30 Oct 11am-2pm Come and join in with the world’s biggest drawing festival!

Over 280,000 people will be drawing this October in over 20 countries and you can take part right here in our Art Gallery. Drop-in event.

No booking required.

Suitable for 3-12 year olds.

Pop in for 30 minutes or stay and enjoy all three gruesome hours!

Drop-in event. No booking required.

Suitable for 5-12 year olds.

Shake,

& Ro l l Rattle

Every Thursday from 2 Dec to 3 March (apart from 25 Dec and 1 Jan) Join musician Beth Bishop for a fun, musical drop-in session in the Art Gallery for 2-4 year olds and their parents from 11am- 12noon.

This project is funded by the NHS Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale Clinical Commissioning Group.

Wildlife River-tastic!

FREE Family Fun Day Thurs 19 Feb 11am-2pm

Find out more about the bugs, beasties and birds that inhabit the local River Roch in our half term event.

Lots of FREE arts and crafts drop-in activities for the family to enjoy together - pop in for 30 minutes or stay and enjoy all three hours!

Drop-in session. No booking required.

Suitable for 5-12 years.

Santa’s Grotto

Sat 6 Dec

10am-5pm

Although Santa will be very busy preparing for Christmas Eve, Touchstones Rochdale has managed to convince him to take a couple of days off to visit the Museum. Meet the elves who will help you have some creative fun. Place a wish on the Christmas tree before meeting Santa in his magical Grotto. Each child will receive a gift to take home.

Spaces are limited and booking is essential. £6.50 per child (includes gift). Suitable for children of all ages. Bookings can be made in person or by telephone to Rochdale Visitor Information Centre 01706 924928 (Tuesday to Saturday 10am-5pm).

(Please note we are unable to change bookings once they have been made or to offer refunds due to Santa’s popularity).

Events for Adults

We have a range of regular and one-off events offering lots of opportunities to take part in the arts and find out more about our collections and exhibitions.

Touchstones Creative Writing Group First Thursday of every month 2pm-3.30pm Free Now independently constituted, the Touchstones Creative Writing Group meets monthly to encourage and promote creative writing. Encouraging positive health and well-being benefits, the group welcomes new members both would-be and existing writers, to join in. No booking required.

Sessions are led by Norman Warwick, Just Poets.

Knitty Gritty Last Tuesday of every month 2pm-3.30pm Free, just buy a brew Come along to our monthly knitting group which meets in Café Life. Feel free to bring along your own knitting projects, share ideas or start something new. Younger knitters are welcome in school holidays. No booking required.

Friends of Rochdale Art Gallery Second Tuesday of the month 12.30pm–1.45pm

Image © Barry Hobson

For many years the Friends have been helping the Art Gallery to conserve and acquire paintings for the collection. Talks by invited speakers about historic and contemporary art and craft are held most months with the occasional trip to visit other art collections. Talks cost £2 per person for members and £3 for non-members including refreshments.

Payable on the door – no booking required.

All welcome. Ring or visit our website for further details.

Look out for exhibiting artist Daksha Patel talking about her work on 13 January 2015.

Paper Gallery presents Drawing Club First Wednesday of the month from 1 Oct to 4 March 1.30pm-3pm Free Join artist Richard Meaghan from Paper Gallery for an informal drawing session in the Art Gallery taking inspiration from the artwork on display to create your own work. Basic equipment and materials are provided, but you are welcome to bring your own.

Stay for as long as you like. Drop-in session, no booking required.

Adult craft workshops to put you in a festive mood. Inspired to create a bit more of a homemade Christmas? Then look no further than Touchstones Rochdale. Spaces are limited and booking is essential for both workshops, ring 01706 924928.

Creative Christmas Cards with Alan Birch Sat 8 Nov 11am – 1pm

Festive Wreaths with Jude Murray Sat 13 Dec 11am – 1pm

Explore printing using the technique of etching and create your own handmade Christmas cards.

Cost £5, payable on booking.

Avoid the crowds and have a break from the Christmas shopping. Make your own evergreen wreath to finish off your festive decorations.

Cost £5, payable on booking.

MaD Theatre Company presents Gin & Chronic Arthritis Part of Rochdale Literature & Ideas Festival Fri 24 Oct - 7pm Marilyn is not your typical Nan. She drinks gin for breakfast, ice skates and has numerous internet lovers. When one of these men, Wheelchair Barry takes her to a psychic night at the local pub Marilyn gets a message from her childhood sweetheart from the other side. She is over the moon, but Barry is consumed with jealousy. Gin & Chronic Arthritis is one of MaD Theatre Company’s best loved comedies. Miss it and your life will be that bit emptier than it should be.

Suitable for ages 12+ Tickets £5 – please book at rochdaleliteraturefestival.co.uk

Wanderlust tapestry exhibition talk with Jilly Edwards

Please pre-book by calling us on 01706 924492

Sat 11 Oct - 2.30pm-4pm - Free Join exhibiting artist Jilly Edwards for an informal talk about her work starting in the exhibition and moving tohe Education Studio for a closer look at samples and sketchbooks for an insight into translating inspiration into finished work.

Ancient Greek Love & Magic: Two talks by local author Dr Regine May

Part of Rochdale Literature & Ideas Festival - Sat 25 October Ancient Magic and Greek Love Spells 11am-12noon & Love at First Sight in the Ancient Greek Novels and Bollywood 2pm-3pm

Dr Regine May works at the University of Leeds as

a Lecturer for Latin

Literature and Language Ikebana Landscape with Rosa Nguyen

and lives in Rochdale.

Each talk lasts 45 Sat 27 Sept - 2pm-4pm - Free minutes and is Join exhibiting artist Rosa Nguyen to explore

followed by a 15 her exhibition Sanctuary and the ideas behind it. minute Q&A. You will have the chance to work with Rosa to

Free - please create a landscape inspired by Ikebana,

book at the Japanese discipline of flower arranging,

rochdale using materials such as flowers, vegetables,

literature branches, clay, recycled

festival.co.uk plastic, glass and paint.

Outreach Displays

Café Life

See more of the borough’s Art Gallery and Museum collections in the display cases at Heywood Library and Middleton Arena.

Shop

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If you are a school or educational group looking for exciting and interesting learning experiences, then why not visit Touchstones Rochdale. Our expert led sessions support the new national curriculum and we have been awarded the Learning Outside the Classroom Quality Badge which is a nationally recognised indicator of high quality educational provision.

Download our Schools Programme from our website or ring the Education team on 01706 924931.

The place to get that unique card or gift.

We stock a range of souvenirs, postcards, local crafts, jewellery, books and pocket money gifts for children.

Arts and Heritage Resource Centre

The Resource Centre is where we look after our historic collections. You can arrange to meet a curator and get help with identifying and researching items at the Resource Centre. Ring: 01706 641085 or email: resourcecentre@link4life.org This centre is open Monday to Thursday 10am-5pm - visits arranged by appointment.

Tours can be arranged for small groups to visit this state of the art storage facility. Please book in advance. The Resource Centre is accessible for people with mobility difficulties and has limited parking outside including a designated bay for blue badge holders.

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Schools Service

Venue Hire

Café Life is the ideal place to Touchstones Rochdale offers a unique rest and refresh whether you’re venue for meetings and events. Our visiting exhibitions, just passing studio space and meeting room are by or meeting up with friends. available for hire. Catering can be Café Life is open Tuesdayarranged to suit your requirements.

Saturday 10am–4pm. Food Ring 01706 924492 for more details. served from 11am.

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Interested in getting involved in the arts such as theatre, dance, circus? Check out www.takepart.org. uk to find out what’s on offer around the borough!

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Visitor Information Centre

Don’t just stop in Touchstones Rochdale. Let the Visitor Information Centre provide you with details of places to visit including local, regional and national attractions. Information about events and accommodation is available. We can also arrange group tours of Touchstones Rochdale and other local heritage venues. Call 01706 924928 to discuss your requirements.

• Art Gallery • Museum • Local Studies Centre • Visitor Information Centre • • Events Programme • Education Service • Shop • Café • Where to find us A671 from Burnley

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Access

Main Reception: 01706 924492

Touchstones Rochdale is fully accessible for people using wheelchairs. There are three designated parking bays for blue badge holders outside the centre.

Visitor Information Centre: 01706 924928 Email: touchstones@link4life.org Online: www.link4life.org/touchstones

Travel Information Opening Times Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm Christmas hours: Closing at 3pm on Weds 24 and Weds 31 Dec and all day on 25-29 Dec and 1 Jan.

FREE Admission Café Life, run by Pure Innovations, is open Tuesday to Saturday 10am-4pm.

Touchstones Rochdale is located close to Rochdale town centre approximately 5 to 10 minutes walk from Rochdale Transport Interchange with bus and tram access and 10 minutes from the Rochdale Railway Station. We are 10 minutes drive from J20-M62. Cycle parking is available outside the Centre with Pay & Display car parking available close by.

Follow us on: Facebook (Touchstones Rochdale), Twitter (@Touchstones), Instagram (Touchstones_ Rochdale) and Pinterest (Touchstones Rochdale).

This information is available in large print on request.

www.link4life.org/touchstones The Esplanade, Rochdale, OL16 1AQ

01706 924492

Link4Life is the trading name of Rochdale Boroughwide Cultural Trust. Registered Charity No: 1118610

Cover image: Rosa Nguyen, Sanctuary (2014), detail

A58 from Sandbrook Park and J20 - M62

Contact Information