Museum and Art Swindon opened 9th of July 2024

 Museum and Art Swindon, the former Swindon Museum and Art Gallery, officially opened its doors today at 10.30am. This is great news for all who have missed being able to visit the museum and gallery over the last 4 years. There was a preview yesterday and I was privileged to be able to look round, although I must say I was so excited, I didn't really take much in. The new museum and gallery are now situated on the first floor of the Civic Offices in Euclid St; the conversion is really good, and the space and general ambience of the site is perfect. This is what the Adver said about the opening last Friday: Swindon's museum and art gallery to open in new location | Swindon Advertiser

I didn't take many photos, this one taken before the ribbon cutting was taken by Friends committee member Martin Newman, thank you Martin. Back row, Frances Yeo, Museums Manager, Cllr Jim Robbins, Leader of the Council then front row, right to left, Cllr Strinkovsky , the Mayor, Cllr Imtiyaz Shaikh and me: 

I looked on social media and found Wessex Museums had taken some excellent photos, these are courtesy of them; I hope they don't mind my sharing them:

Above a view of the shop with the Origins exhibition which looks at the history of MAS from 1912 until the present day.

The Elisabeth Frink exhibition is a highlight, a travelling exhibition made possible by Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation funding through the Wessex Museums. Above ;The Risen Christ' Maquette and on the right, 'Green Man' part of the Swindon Collection.

Above and below different views of the Frink exhibition. We are holding a Friends' talk by Wilfrid Wright on Elisabeth Frink on 25 July after a celebration of the opening.

It's quite interesting that Swindon had an Elisabeth Frink sculpture outside WH Smith. It was a running man and was sold about 20 years ago. Money raised reputedly paid for new signage.

I also included a photo of the ceramics and jewellery cabinet, there's lots of fabulous stuff to buy in the shop with a high standard of displays both with things to buy and also with the other displays. 

There are quite a few talks and tours, so check out the What's On section of the website.

Great to have Museum and Art Swindon open after 4 years and looking forward to seeing more of the Swindon Collection of Twentieth Century Art on display soon.