What s On. ART GALLERY & PARK July October 2017

What s On ART GALLERY & PARK July October 2017

Compton Verney ART GALLERY AND PARK Where art meets nature... Summer 2017 Tue Sun and Bank Holidays Park 10.30am 6pm Galleries and Activities 11am 5pm Welcome to our sizzling summer... which will continue to sizzle whether it s sunny or not! Our exceptional 2017 exhibition programme continues in July with Seurat to Riley: The Art of Perception, a fascinating show for young and old which looks at the phenomenon that is Op art short for Optical art : works which use geometric forms to create bizarre optical effects. This must-see exhibition traces how the Op art movement developed from the famous French Post-Impressionist Georges Seurat via M.C. Escher to Bridget Riley and her contemporaries, and demonstrates just how exhilarating, electrifying and (quite literally) eye-opening Op art can be. To complement Bridget Riley s timeless works from the 1960s, we will be running another of our hugely successful Vintage Days, on Saturday 5 August; while don t forget to put Sunday 20th August in your calendar, too, as Compton Verney installs an extraordinary Colourscape experience of light, colour and sound in the grounds. In addition, our first, Heritage Lottery-funded eyecatcher by the lake, The Clearing, continues to attract fascinated audiences and participants to its packed activity programme through the summer. While in the mansion itself the room beyond the British gallery will, thanks to the imaginative input of Oxford University s English Faculty, metamorphose into the re-imagined Victorian Women s Library it once was. And having returned Michael Dahl s 300-year-old Verney family portraits to this space, we will also be adding John Riley s impressive portrait of the 11th Lord Willoughby de Broke, which also once hung in the house. There s never been more to see, make and do at Compton Verney this summer. So having consulted this What s On, why not check out our website, too, and come and join us in the sun! All season Collection Tour Tiny Tuesdays Dementia Café Art in the Afternoon Parkland Tour Tai Chi Early Years Forest School Seurat to Riley Exhibition Tour Optical Illusions family trail Artspace: Optical Art Summer Forest School Daily, 2pm Every Tue, term-time, 11.30am 3pm Second Tue of the month, 10.30am 12.30pm First Wed of the month, 2pm 4pm First Thur of the month, 1.30pm First Thur of the month, 1.15pm & third Sat of the month, 11am Every Thur, term-time, 12.30pm 2.30pm Daily, 15 July 1 October, 12 noon & 2.30pm Daily, 22 July 3 September, 11am 5pm Weekdays, 25 July 1 September, 11am 4pm Every Thur, 27 July 31 August, 11am 4pm July Exhibition: Seurat to Riley In Conversation with Lothar Götz Curator s Talk & Tea The Clearing workshop: Making Medicine Wings and Water Meet Sigrid Holmwood August 1960s Vintage Day Sat 8 July Sun 1 October Sat 8, 1pm Thur 20, 2.30pm Sat 22, 11am 4pm Sun 23, 10.30am 5pm Sun 30, 11am 4pm Sat 5, 11am 4pm Segway through history Wed 9 & Sun 27, 11am, 2pm, 3.30pm Sara Moorhouse: The Right Stripes The Clearing workshop: Making Mead Dog Show & Family Fun Day Moonorooni Colourscape Thur 10, 2.30pm Sat 12, 11am 4pm Sun 13, 10.30am 5pm Sun 20, 11am 4pm The Clearing workshop: The Printed Word Sat 26, 11am 4pm September Wellness Day Dr Frances Follin: The Optical Conscious Sun 10, 10.30am 5pm Thur 14, 2.30pm The Clearing workshop: Harnessing the Wind Sat 23, 11am - 4pm October My Favourite Object Dr Paula Byrne: The Genius of Jane Austen China Revealed Jane Austen at Home one-woman show Rocco Singers concert Daily, Tue 3 Thur 19, 2.30pm Wed 4, 2.30pm Sun 8, 11am 4pm Wed 11, 2.30pm Thur 19, 2.30pm 2 Professor Steven Parissien, Director For the latest information about what s on visit 3

Summer exhibition Exhibition Talks 4 Sat 8 July - Sun 1 October Take an eye-popping journey through pointillism, pattern and perception. One of the first exhibitions of its kind in the UK, Seurat to Riley: The Art of Perception explores how artists have exploited the ways in which the human eye and mind perceive what we see. Containing over ninety works including painting, sculpture, light works, prints and drawings from public and private collections, the exhibition will also feature a gallery-sized mural by German abstract artist Lothar Götz commissioned by Compton Verney. The journey begins in the 19th century when artists were eagerly experimenting with the new exciting colour theories of the day. Discover how they began to use colour in ways that simulated our real world experiences, replicating the colours of nature and even movement. Learn how this desire to create art that conjured up the world around us evolved throughout the 20th century to the mesmerising Op art of today. Includes works by twenty three artists including Georges Seurat, M.C. Escher, Josef Albers, Victor Vasarely, Bridget Riley, Peter Sedgley, Daniel Buren, Liz West and more. Supported by FREE entry for Members Achæan, 1981, Bridget Riley (B. 1931) Tate, London 2017 copyright Bridget Riley 2017. All rights reserved. In Conversation with Lothar Götz Sat 8 July, 1pm Lothar Götz s work ranges from murals and room-sized spatial installations to paintings and drawings. Join exhibition curator Penelope Sexton and Lothar as he discusses his newly commissioned site specific wallpainting for Compton Verney and how his wider body of work references and engages with architecture, colour and space. Curator s Tour and Tea Thur 20 July, 2.30pm An opportunity to tour the exhibition with Penelope Sexton, followed by an informal discussion over tea and cake. Price per event: Members 10 Annual Pass holders 18.50 Non-Members 25* *Includes Exhibition, Collections and Park DAY TICKET. Sara Moorhouse: The Right Stripes Thur 10 August, 2.30pm Award-winning ceramic artist Sara Moorhouse has 8 works in the exhibition. Find out from Sara how she conceives and creates her beautiful ceramics, her techniques to create pattern and how she uses colour to reflect the ever-changing colours of season, weather and time. Dr Frances Follin: The Optical Conscious Thur 14 September, 2.30pm Dr Frances Follin, co-curator, art historian and author of Embodied Visions: Bridget Riley, Op art and the Sixties provides a unique insight to one of the most popular and influential British artists of the 20th century. Daily Exhibition Tour Sat 15 July - Sun 1 October, 12 noon and 2.30pm Explore the key themes and works of Seurat to Riley: The Art of Perception with this enlightening 45-minute tour led by our expert Gallery Interpreters. FREE for Members and visitors with a valid Exhibition Day Ticket. Sign up on the day. Places limited. Exhibition Book Available online, from the Shop and the Welcome Centre. 14.50 5

The Women s Library Unsilencing the Library Jane Austen Celebrations: 200 years Launches Wed 28 June This exciting reinterpretation, developed jointly with Oxford University, reimagines the Women s Library at Compton Verney which was created in around 1860 by Georgiana Verney, wife of the reclusive 17th Lord Willoughby de Broke. Georgiana was an enthusiastic champion of women s reading, women s education and ultimately, women s suffrage, and this reinterpretation invites you to sit down, learn about Georgiana, the history of the room, and about what women read in the late Victorian era. You can also browse through the books chosen by our six guest curators who range from actor and UN Goodwill Ambassador Emma Watson to students from nearby Kineton High School. You can even buy any or all of their book choices in the shop! Georgiana Lady Willoughby de Broke Talk: The Genius of Jane Austen by Dr Paula Byrne Wed 4 October, 2.30pm Austen expert Dr Paula Byrne reveals what s in her latest book, which looks at the comic art of Jane Austen, and her innovative approach to her life via objects and places. Talk takes place in the Chapel. Music: The Rocco Singers Thur 19 October, 2.30pm Theatre: Jane Austen at Home (in the most genteel surrounding of Compton Verney) Wed 11 October, 2.30pm 70 mins inc. interval This highly entertaining one woman show, featuring extracts from Jane Austen s letters, poetry and novels, celebrates the variety and wit of Austen s writing. Enjoy her satirical wit, social observations and captivating stories about young, well-to-do men and women in complicated courtship in the 19th Century. Performance takes place in the Adam Hall. Price per event: Enjoy a rendition of the songs that were highly popular during Jane Austen s lifetime. Some you ll recognise as today s familiar classical melodies; others will be new. Performance takes place in the Chapel. Members 10 Annual Pass Holders 12 Non-Members 20.50* 6 TORCH THE OXFORD RESEARCH CENTRE IN THE HUMANITIES unsilencingthelibrary.com *Includes Collections and Park DAY TICKET. 7

A vision of the future The Clearing Workshops Learn the skills you ll need to survive in a world afflicted by climate change. Led by a series of experts, and accompanied by artist Tom James, the workshops will cover everything from basic survival skills through to re-thinking some of the technologies of our current society. The Clearing Sat 18 March Sun 17 December The Clearing is a collaborative artwork by artists Alex Hartley and Tom James. See a vision of the future in our park, based around a geodesic dome on the shores of the lake which the artists have built. Learn how to live in the world affected by social and climate change that s coming our way. So far, 14 caretakers (and one baby) have occupied the dome, whilst a series of sold-out workshops have taught people how to build fires, dig toilets and forage for food. Come and join us for the next instalment of workshops, feel what the future might feel like, and see how The Clearing evolves. Making Medicine Sat 22 July, 11am 4pm Will modern medicine survive peak oil and rising tides? Explore how to make basic remedies from medicinal plants in the vicinity of The Clearing with Rasheeqa Ahmed and Sara Ghanchi from Herbalists Without Borders. Making Mead Sat 12 August, 11am 4pm The oldest alcoholic drink known to man, mead is made from fermented honey and water. Led by artist Dale Hipkiss, and using honey from Compton Verney s own beehives, learn how to make your own brew. The Printed Word Sat 26 August, 11am 4pm Discover the basics of printing and the ancient practice of making ink from oak galls with the London Centre for Book Arts. Please note that paper is not provided, please bring as much scrap A4 paper as possible from your workplace and home. Harnessing the Wind Sat 23 September, 11am 4pm Just because we re running out of fossil fuels, doesn t mean we have to go completely off-line. This workshop, by renewable energy experts V3 Power, will teach you how to construct a hand-built wind turbine to harness a natural resource that won t run out. Workshop places are limited, please pre-book. Suitable for ages 10+. Please bring lunch to share with fellow workshop attendees. Subsidised by the Heritage Lottery Fund. Adult 10 Child 5 Price is per workshop and includes entry to the Park only. 8 9

Events Moonorooni Colourscape Sun 20 August, 11am 4pm (last entry 3.45pm) For one day only, experience an extraordinary kaleidoscope of light, colour and sound in the grounds of Compton Verney. Wander through a labyrinth of 25 interconnected chambers flooded with intense colours. Colourscape is wonderful experience for visitors of all ages and promises to be an experience you will never forget. All events and activities are included in standard DAY TICKET admission and are FREE for Members and Annual Pass holders unless otherwise stated. Maximum capacity of 45 visitors at any one time, admission up to 30 minutes. We expect Colourscape to be very popular and there may be queues at busy times. Wheelchair accessible. Adult 4 Child/Concs 3 Pay on the day at the entrance to Colourscape. 1960s Vintage day at Compton VernEy Snap up some fantastic vintage finds at Ruby s Vintage and Retro Fair where you ll find everything from homeware to fashion. Complete your sixties look with a visit to our pop-up hair salon*. Enjoy the sounds of the 60s and learn some fun dance moves from Strictly Jitterbug. Sat 5 August 2017 Outside in the grounds there ll be vintage cars, tombola stall and fabulous WI ladies giving sewing demos and more! Keep little ones entertained at the Compton Verney pop-up seaside featuring a supersize sandpit, giant deckchairs and classic Punch and Judy show. Sun 23 July, 10.30am 5pm Displays of over 100 model planes featuring aerial demonstrations and water landings on the lake. Do you have what it takes to fly a plane? Find out on a large screen simulator. In partnership with Warwick Model Flyers. Sun 13 August, 10.30am 5pm Vintage games for the whole family, crafty hands-on fun and plenty of laughter with the Hand to Mouth Theatre Company and their new show, Piggery Jokery!. Love to show off your dog? There s a whole range of competitions you and your dog can enter including Waggiest Tail, Best Puppy and more. There s also demonstrations in the arena from the Heelwork to Music Crufts Champion as well as Gun Dogs, Shire Horses and Duck Herding! Pop in to see Avonvale Veterinary Practice for veterinary advice. Please note that dogs are not allowed in the main Park or Galleries. & Family Fun Day Pigment Garden In collaboration with contemporary artist, Sigrid Holmwood, we are creating a special pigment garden in the park. See how traditional plants have been used for centuries to create the colour for dyes and paints, and discover how to grow them. Throughout 2017 we will be working with community groups, school pupils and the public to grow the plants and produce our pigments, paints and dyes. Meet the artist Sigrid Holmwood Sun 30 July, 11am - 4pm Visit Compton Verney s brand new Pigment Garden and meet artist Sigrid Holmwood. Find out from Sigrid all about pigment making, help her forage for wildflowers to make yellows, make red pigments from the Madder plant and discover how to use natural dyes in art. Normal Collections and Park admission applies. *Pre-book hair salon appointments via cheztitine@outlook.com or call 07837 700 698. 10 11

School holiday activities Our holiday activities are suitable for the whole family. All events and activities are included in standard DAY TICKET admission and are FREE for Members and Annual Pass holders unless otherwise stated. There s no need to book in advance, just turn up and join in on the day. Perfect for families with older children Daily Activities INDOORS Art Explorer backpacks Marco s design cabinet Discovery room and Family room OUTDOORS Family trails Nature s art box Orienteering Pond dipping Outdoor adventure playground Super-size Sandpit and Giant s Deckchairs From Sat 24 June, 10.30am 5pm Back by popular demand! Build elaborate sandcastles or kick back and relax in a Giant s Deckchair. Enjoy a day at the beach in amongst the lime trees on the back lawn. Don t forget your bucket and spade! Artspace: Optical Art Tue 25 July- Fri 1 September (weekdays only), 11am 4pm Make a Kaleidoscope out of simple materials. Design a Colour wheel mixer to create your own illusion. Add to our ongoing giant collaborative wall artwork and watch as it changes shape. Optical Illusions family trail Sat 22 July Sun 3 September, Daily 11am 5pm Seurat to Riley: The Art of Perception is packed full of eye popping works that will delight and intrigue our smaller visitors. Our family trail pack includes a selection of helpful items that help children have fun with colour, perspective and shapes. Adults must have a valid exhibition ticket. Segway Through History Wed 9 August and Sun 27 August, sessions at 11am, 2pm and 3.30pm Enjoy an hour-long tour of the Park. A fun and novel way to learn all about Compton Verney and its historic Capability Brown landscape. Share your pictures with us /ComptonVerney @ComptonVerney Forest Schools Every Thursday during the Summer Holiday, 27 July 31 August, 11am 4pm Drop-in session for all the family exploring the different types of bugs and mini-beasts getting ready for Summer. Discover the seasonal changes to the plants and trees with crafts and games. Members/Annual Pass holders 23 Non-Members 30* *Includes Collections and Park DAY TICKET. Advance booking recommended. Minimum age 10 years and minimum weight 45kg. Organised by UK Segway Polo. 12 #ComptonVerney 13

Wellness and wellbeing Wellness Day Relax, Reflect, Revitalise! Sun 10 September, 10.30am 5pm Join us for a range of indoor and outdoor activities designed to help improve your sense of wellness and wellbeing. Explore a wide variety of ways to improve your mental and physical health and end the day feeling rejuvenated and invigorated! All events and activities are included in standard DAY TICKET admission and are FREE for Members and Annual Pass holders unless otherwise stated. Parkland Tour Every first Thursday of the month, 6 July, 3 August, 7 September, 5 Oct, 1.30pm Tour the grounds with Head of Landscape and Gardens, Gary Webb, to learn more about Compton Verney s Capability Brown Grade II* landscape. Subjects covered during the tour include historic trees and delightful plantations, how the landscape has been used through the ages, and the present day management of this important Local Wildlife Site. Dementia Café Second Tuesday of every month, 10.30am 12.30pm A supportive environment where those with dementia and their carers can meet with others in a similar situation, share experiences and take part in a variety of acivities. Hosted in association with the Alzheimer s Society and made possible through the generous support of Helen Rose and Roger Salmons. 9 per person, per year Includes Exhibitions, Collections and Park admission for the whole year. Carers go free with the person living with Dementia. 11 July Cream Tea Garden Party 8 August Visit the Pigment Garden with Sigrid Holmwood 12 September Make ceramic Christmas decorations which will be fired and decorated ready for Christmas. 10 October Flower arranging We both look forward to our Café at Compton Verney especially. The venue is brilliant we also thoroughly enjoy the arts projects set up for us. Dementia Café visitor Tai Chi First Thursday and third Saturday of every month. Thursday sessions start at 1.15pm and Saturday sessions start at 11am Join Swan Tai Chi and learn the graceful, flowing movements of this traditional Chinese exercise in our beautiful parkland. Members/Annual Pass holders 7 per session Non-Members 14 per session* *Includes Collections and Park DAY TICKET. 14 Sign up on the day. The tour includes some areas of uneven ground. Please speak to Gary if you require a level, smoother surface. For little ones during term-time Early Years Forest School Every Thursday, 12.30pm 2.30pm, during term-time Outdoor fun exploring different types of bugs, mini-beasts and trees. Build dens, cook on the camp fire and enjoy seasonal nature crafts and games. SPECIAL OFFER! Tiny Tuesdays Every Tuesday, 11.30am 3pm, during term-time Drop-in and meet other families and have fun with your little ones in our play area full of blocks, shapes and games. Arrive early to the Compton Kitchen between 10.30am and 11.30am to receive a 10% discount. Adopt a Bench for yourself or a loved one Your bench will be placed in the landscape with a personalised plaque and will be maintained by Compton Verney for ten years. Each adoption provides vital support for the ongoing upkeep of our historic Capability Brown Park. For more information please contact Fi Howell on 01926 645 547. 15

Enjoy the art My Favourite Object Looking ahead to autumn... 16 Art in the Afternoon Wed 2 August, 6 September, 4 October, 2pm 4pm Learn new skills to improve your confidence and ability to draw. Classes take place in the galleries or outdoor in the park. A great way to relax, learn and make new friends. Members 6 per session Annual Pass Holders 8 per session Non-Members 15 per session* *Includes Collections and Park DAY TICKET. Adopt an Artwork Leave a legacy and support the conservation and overall care of Compton Verney s wonderful art collections. For more information please contact Fi Howell on 01926 645 547. Private Tours Guided private tours of the exhibitions and collections can be arranged for 45 per group. Call Emily Medcraft on 01926 645 516 for more details. Tue 3 Thur 19 Oct, Daily, 2.30pm Our team each have their favourite artwork find out what they have discovered about their much-loved item and why they d take it home with them if they could! Collection Tour Daily, 2pm Discover the history and stories behind the artworks in one of the six art collections owned and maintained by Compton Verney. Sign up on the day Members/Annual Pass Holders: FREE Non-Members: Included in standard DAY TICKET admission. Heron Jackie Morris Quentin Blake: Inside Stories Sat 21 October Sun 17 December Enjoy the wonderful creations of one of the world s bestloved illustrators, Quentin Blake. Featuring a huge range of his witty characters from Roald Dahl s Illustration Quentin Blake books such as The Twits and Danny, the Champion of the World to The Boy in the Dress by David Walliams, this exhibition includes work never seen outside Blake s studio before. Quentin Blake: Inside Stories lifts the lid on how his magical ideas evolve and the artistry behind his unforgettable images. The Lost Words Sat 21 October Sun 17 December Celebrate the relationship between language and the living world, and in particular nature s power to spark the imagination. The Lost Words exhibition and accompanying book by Hamish Hamilton features spellpoems by writer Robert Macfarlane and watercolours by artist Jackie Morris that make the familiar appear magical. Sun 8 October Sat 28 and Sun 29 October and Sat 4 and Sun 5 November China Revealed Find out about Chinese culture, history and art with a variety of talks, tastings and tours related to our internationally-acclaimed Chinese collection. STORYTELLING Tai Chi Hear the Chinese Flute Play Mah Jong Traditional Dancing Chinese Calligraphy Join the Lion Dance Try Chinese Drumming CHINESE BRUSH PAINTING 17

Food and drink Membership and Admission Prices 2017 Become a Member and enjoy free entry to our seasonal exhibitions and get closer to our six permanent collections! Compton Verney is a charity and your membership helps us to preserve our art, history and parkland for future generations. Try our new look café Offering delicious hot meals, quick bites and delightful cream teas, Compton Kitchen is the perfect place to take a break. Children s portions and snack boxes available. Gold Membership Unlimited free entry to Exhibitions, Collections and Park Gold member previews 3 one-day guest passes for members of your family Exclusive member discounts Silver Membership Unlimited free entry to Exhibitions, Collections and Park Exclusive member discounts Corporate Membership Adult Joint Under 26s 32 62 18 28 54 15 SAVE 10% with Direct Debit. Up to 2 family children go FREE with each Adult or Joint Member. Membership valid for 12 months from date of purchase. Visit the website for more details and to purchase membership online. Local, national and international corporate members can promote their brand, products and services to our 75,000 annual visitors, whilst providing invaluable support to our exhibition, learning and events programmes. They also enjoy a wide range of benefits including free tickets, private view invitations and discounts on room hire. For more details please contact the Development Department on 01926 645 562. DAY TICKET Exhibition Collections and Park Includes access to the Exhibitions, Collections and Park for the date of ticket purchase. DAY TICKET Collections and Park Includes access to the Collections and Park for the date of ticket purchase. ANNUAL PASS Collections and Park Enjoy unlimited free entry to the Collections and Park for 12 months. Weddings Compton Verney is the perfect place for a wedding. With a tranquil lake, manicured parkland and a Georgian mansion house re-designed as an art gallery, this is a venue that will wow your guests. For more info please contact us on 01926 645 527. Adult Family Child 5 15 Under 5 15 with 13.60 Without 8.50 with 7.70 Without 32 with 29.00 Without 18 with 16.30 Without 3 Free 3 Free 3 Free 3 Free 10 22 3 Free Family tickets include two adults and up to four children. Concessions receive 1 off full price tickets. Please note that talks, tours and events are non-refundable. 18 19

Visitor information Public transport links Bus: The No. 6 from Banbury and Stratford-upon-Avon stops at Compton Verney. Call 01564 797070 or email businfo@johnsonscoaches.co.uk for times. Rail: The nearest stations are Leamington Spa, Banbury and Stratford-upon-Avon. Access The Gallery is fully accessible on all floors, and there are wheelchair friendly paths throughout the Park. Large print guides, wheelchairs and hearing loops are available. Assistance dogs are welcome. Dogs Assistance dogs only in the Gallery and main park. Dogs on leads are allowed in the Old Town Meadow only. Parking Parking is free. Blue badge spaces are available. Visitors can be dropped off at the gallery. Shuttle bus Available throughout the season from the car park to the gallery. Subject to volunteer availability. Group visits Discounted admission, free organiser tickets and exclusive offers are available for groups of 15+. Call Emily on 01926 645 516 for more details. Further information Please call 01926 645 500 or email info@ A46 Birmingham A46 Stratfordupon-Avon M40 Coventry Warwick Leamington Spa A429 15 14 B4087 Wellesbourne B4086 Fosse Way A46 Opening times 13 Kineton A422 We are open Tuesday to Sunday and Bank Holiday Mondays. Welcome Centre and Park open from 10.30am. Gallery open 11am 5pm. Park closes 6pm. B4086 B4455 12 B4100 A425 Banbury A423 M40 Southam 11 Compton Verney Warwickshire CV35 9HZ Oxford & London How to find us Postcode CV35 9HZ. We are situated 9 miles south-east of Stratford-upon-Avon, on the B4086 between Wellesbourne and Kineton. From the M40 take junction 12 or 15 and follow the brown signs. Warwickshire, CV35 9HZ T. 01926 645 500 Sign up to e-bulletins