Blog article Articles
News - May 2026
Beryl's Influences
Although artist Beryl Cook was self-taught, she didn’t create her paintings in a vacuum. She actively mined newsreels and local papers, was an avid reader who owned many books, captured hundreds of photographs and gained inspiration from a wide variety of materials and artists. There's a section in our ‘Beryl Cook: Pride and Joy’ exhibition which shows her work alongside some of these and demonstrates just how well-informed and considered her practice was. Discover more here!
History - May 2026
Tribute to June Marlow
When singer and actress June Marlow was invited to record ‘the voice’ of the Elizabethan House just a few weeks before her 90th birthday, she may not have known it would be her last professional role but she did know it was one she could perform with pinpoint accuracy, drawing from her earliest experiences and channelling the voices and dialect of her birthplace: New Street on Plymouth’s historic Barbican. June sadly passed away in late February but her legacy lives on. Here we explore her life in a wonderful article featuring her own writing and recollections and compiled by her granddaughter Lauren Vandike.
News - Apr 2026
Beryl's Travels
Beryl Cook painted Plymouth as it had never been seen before and the city influenced the way she saw and represented the wider world too. With the success of her first exhibitions and growing reputation she travelled to other places - for work as well as leisure. Here are some of the paintings in our ‘Beryl Cook: Pride and Joy’ exhibition that were inspired by her visits to other cities.
Press Release - Apr 2026
The Box makes history: shortlisted for Art Fund Museum of the Year 2026
The Box Plymouth has been named one of five finalists for Art Fund Museum of the Year 2026, the world's largest and most prestigious museum prize, putting the city on the national cultural map.
Art - Apr 2026
Collections Insight: A new display in North Hall
A new display featuring four paintings from The Box's art collection has just gone on display in our North Hall gallery. The paintings provide a glimpse into the breadth and depth of the collection and are also giving us an opportunity to share the stories behind them and some new research. Discover more about them here.
Press Release - Apr 2026
The Box Plymouth smashes records as landmark year delivers 356k visits
Plymouth's world-class cultural destination ends its fifth year with record-breaking figures, a blockbuster Beryl Cook exhibition drawing visitors from across the UK, and an ambitious summer season ahead.
Press Release - Mar 2026
Two new Beryl Cook sculptures join the family
Two new life-sized sculptures inspired by Beryl Cook’s much-loved painting Hips and Chips have been unveiled today near the Belvedere on Plymouth Hoe, adding to the growing trail across the waterfront and city centre that celebrates her life and work.
News - Mar 2026
Inspired by Beryl Cook
The four life-sized Beryl Cook sculptures that are located around Plymouth have been more popular than we could have hoped for since they were installed. They've created some great selfie moments too! As we seek a planning permission extension to keep them in place until at least 2029, here's more about the paintings that inspired them.
Press Release - Feb 2026
The Box celebrates record-breaking year as visitor numbers continue to rise
One month after its landmark 'Beryl Cook: Pride and Joy' exhibition launched, The Box has officially recorded its busiest year since it opened in 2020.
Press Release - Feb 2026
The Box and Arts University Plymouth launch ‘Where’s Your Head At?’ Children and Young People’s Open
Free to enter and open to ages 0–25 across the South West, ‘Where’s Your Head At?’ invites young artists to explore the theme of ‘Art and Emotion’, with selected works set to be displayed at The Box this summer.
Press Release - Feb 2026
The Box is the Museum in Residence at Downing Street
The Box has been selected as Museum in Residence at Downing Street for 2026, bringing Plymouth's remarkable artistic and maritime heritage to the nation's most iconic address.
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!