Saturday 30 April will see the launch of an exciting new initiative at the Framework Knitters Museum.
The museum has partnered with the Nottingham Society of Artists (NSA) to create a new exhibition space that will become an ‘annexe’ of the main NSA gallery at St Luke’s House on Friar Lane in the city centre. Here in Ruddington, the artworks will be displayed in the former Methodist Chapel located opposite the main museum buildings on Chapel Street.
Paul Baker, Manager at the Framework Knitters Museum, comments: ‘We’re very excited to be working with the NSA on the Chapel Gallery project, which is set to become a major new tourist attraction for Ruddington.
We’re still finalising the details, but the idea is that works by different artists will be exhibited for around 6 to 8 weeks at a time. That means there’ll be something new to see at the Chapel Gallery at least every couple of months, with lots of variety in terms of artistic style, media and subject matter. There’ll also be opportunities to meet some of the exhibiting artists and even watch them at work in the Chapel.’
Once launched, the Chapel Gallery will be open on the same days and times as the Framework Knitters Museum. From Good Friday (25 March), these will be Wednesday to Saturday, 11am to 4:30pm and Sunday from 1:30pm to 4:30pm. Entrance to the Chapel Gallery will be free, although you’ll need to pay the usual admission fee if you want to visit the museum as well. The museum shop and café will be open for visitors and the public to purchase refreshments and souvenirs as usual.
Adds Paul: ‘All the artworks exhibited at the Chapel Gallery will be for sale, with 15% of all sales being put towards the museum’s plans to redevelop our existing site and expand into the adjacent property, Gunn Cottage.
The project really is a win-win for everyone concerned as it will help the museum raise much-needed funds, boost awareness for the NSA and its artists, and provide a fantastic new tourist attraction for the village.’
If you’d like to know more about the Chapel Gallery project, please contact the museum on 0115 984 6914. For information on the NSA, please visit www.nottinghamartists.org.uk, where you can also download their latest exhibitions programme.
Faye Stenson