THE BEST of nation’s art will be showcased at Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum during 2017 thanks to a partnership with the British Museum.
Gallery chiefs are celebrating the link with displays of outstanding artworks by Constable, JMW Turner and the superstar of Pop Art, Andy Warhol.
A packed year of events kicks off on Saturday, February 11 with the start of the ‘David Cox and his Contemporaries’ exhibition.
Celebrating the life and work of one of the West Midland’s greatest painters, the exhibition features the museum’s wonderful and rarely seen collection of paintings by David Cox.
To complement the exhibition the gallery has also secured loans from the British Museum of works by Constable and Turner.
An exciting summer show entitled ‘Celebrity’ opens on June 17 and features a collection of costumes and props from the small and big screen including Marilyn Monroe’s little black dress, Fred Astaire’s shoes and a Michael Jackson “Dangerous” tour jacket.
Visitors can dress up as their favourite screen star, immortalise themselves at the #selfiespot and play their favourite tracks on a jukebox.
Later in the year the gallery will welcome a touring exhibition from the British Museum; Warhol to Walker; American Prints from Pop Art to Today.
Part of the British Museum’s Spotlight Tour, the show includes work by Andy Warhol, Robert Rauschenberg and Jim Dine.
Alongside these works will be a series of late 1960s prints by Eduardo Paolozzi from the Worcester City Museum collection.
Coun Lucy Hodgson, chairman of the Joint Museums Committee said: “The partnership with the British Museum is truly exciting and we should relish the fact that these incredible works of art will be on show on our doorstep.
“We look forward to welcoming visitors old and new to enjoy the exhibitions, events and permanent displays,” she added.
A full list of talks, events and activities can be found in the Art Gallery and Museum leaflet which can be picked up from the gallery or the Tourist Information Centre at the Guildhall.
Visit www.facebook.com/worcestercitymuseumandartgallery or www.museumsworcestershire.org.uk for more information.
