Blog article Articles
Press Release - Dec 2025
Twixmas at The Box
Schools out and many of us are now in holiday mode or dealing with last-minute festive preparations, but if you're thinking about what to do with your family, friends and time off over the next few days or during 'Twixmas' - that strange stretch between Christmas and New Year that seems to have a rhythm all of its own - we hope this handy checklist will help!
Press Release - Dec 2025
Beryl Cook: Pride and Joy - Centenary exhibition repositions Britain's most popular painter as radical voice of 20th century British life
100 years after her birth, Beryl Cook (1926-2008) once named Britain's most popular painter is finally receiving the serious artistic recognition that eluded her during her lifetime. The Box’s landmark exhibition, 'Beryl Cook: Pride and Joy' opens on 24 January 2026 and will fundamentally reassess Cook's significance as a chronicler of everyday life during Britain's most tumultuous period of social transformation.
Collections - Dec 2025
Collections Insight: Polar specimen gives staff the shivers
This specimen from the herbarium at The Box certainly gave some of the Collections Team the shivers when they came across it recently while they were carrying out an inventory. It’s Cerastium alpinum, more commonly known as Alpine mouse ear or Alpine chickweed, and although it might look pretty humble, it has connections to some historic events and people - and a sad and somewhat gruesome tale of failed survival.
Collections - Nov 2025
Collections Insight: Plymouth and Poland Connections
In 1976, a twinning agreement was established between Plymouth and the Polish city of Gdynia to promote international cooperation. It strengthened bonds that had been forged during the Second World War and has included many cultural exchanges since. As part of our 'Remember Respond Resist' exhibition, a display in our first floor Bridge gallery features items from the archives that relate to this relationship between Plymouth and Poland. Here are a few of the highlights.
Press Release - Nov 2025
The Box Plymouth announces ambitious programme for 2026
We're delighted to unveil more details about our 2026 programme which will feature major exhibitions that explore the connections between Plymouth and the South Pacific, celebrate the legacy of two female artists with strong links to the South West, involve important national partnerships and collaboration with young people.
News - Nov 2025
Meet the Makers
The Box is hosting its first ever 'Winter Makers Market' on 22 and 23 November 2025 in the beautiful St Luke's gallery. The event will be a great opportunity to browse and buy from a selection of exceptional local makers and artists - just in time for Christmas! Here's your chance to find out more about some of the many makers who will be there.
Natural History - Nov 2025
Collection Insight: Radiocarbon dating a Woolly Rhino Tooth
Radiocarbon dating has helped piece together human history, showing when early people farmed, built homes or migrated. It’s not perfect – items older than about 50,000 years can’t be dated accurately because there’s too little carbon-14 left in them – but it remains one of our most important tools for understanding the past and the timeline of the Earth’s story and the people who lived here long before written records began. Here's what it's helped us learn about a woolly rhino tooth from the natural history collection.
Art - Nov 2025
Collection Insight: Execution of a Traitor
Millions of people across the UK have been glued to 'The Celebrity Traitors' over the last few weeks. The first episode alone has been watched by over 12 million. The series has captivated audiences with its mix of plotting, backstabbing, trust and contestants and culminates on 6 November. Who will be victorious? Will those who are Faithful successfully banish all the Traitors in time?
Press Release - Oct 2025
Celebrate Christmas at The Box
There are plenty of Christmas treats on offer at The Box this year. From late November until late December its St Luke’s church gallery will be transformed into a truly festive space with a programme of wonderful seasonal events for everyone to enjoy.
Press Release - Sep 2025
Five Years On: The Box celebrates its fifth anniversary and outlines its impact
To mark The Box's fifth anniversary, we are proud to release the results of a new report which outlines the impact the venue has had since it welcomed its first visitors on 29 September 2020.
Art - Sep 2025
Collection Insight: 'Energy Locator' by Anne Hardy
We are delighted that ‘Energy Locator’ by Anne Hardy has been purchased from Maureen Paley, a well-established art gallery, by Jill Hackel and Andrzej Zarzycki who have gifted the work to the Contemporary Art Society to present to The Box.
Art - Aug 2025
Spotlight On: Salvador Dalí
There aren’t many people who haven’t heard of Salvador Dalí (1904-1989). The Spanish painter, sculptor, graphic artist, designer, film maker and writer turned to Surrealism in 1929 and quickly became one of its most well-known names. If you visit the 'Forbidden Territories: 100 Years of Surreal Landscapes' exhibition (until 7 September 2025) you can see a beautiful work by him that is full of symbolism.