News Articles
Press Release - Nov 2023
The UK debut of 'Arcadia', a new multi-screen film by artist John Akomfrah, opens on 30 November
Arcadia, the latest film work by the hugely respected artist John Akomfrah, will receive its UK debut at The Box – Plymouth’s award-winning museum, art gallery and archive – from Thursday 30 November 2023 until Sunday 2 June 2024.
Art - Nov 2023
Masters of their craft: van Walscapelle, de Bray and Ruysch
From detailed compositions and bold palettes, to skilful use of colour and light, we continue our tour of the beautiful ‘Dutch Flowers’ exhibition with a look at the work of Jacob van Walscapelle, Dirck de Bray and Rachel Ruysch.
News - Oct 2023
The trailblazer: James 'Jimmy' Peters
We're celebrating the story of Jimmy Peters at The Box this half term. Read on to discover more about the extraordinary life of the first black man to play rugby union for England.
Press Release - Oct 2023
The Box secures Lottery funding to research the South West’s Windrush connections
The Box has been awarded a National Lottery Community Fund grant of £9,500 to research the Windrush generation and its legacy in Devon and Cornwall. The project will take a deep dive into the passenger lists from the dozens of ships that arrived at the city’s Millbay Docks from the late 1940s to the early 1970s, uncovering the stories of the people that arrived here, their descendants and their lives in the South West.
Press Release - Oct 2023
The Box appoints Rebecca Bridgman as Head of Collections and Programme
The Box has made a significant addition to its Senior Management Team with the appointment of Rebecca Bridgman as its new Head of Collections and Programme.
Art - Oct 2023
Meet..... Lady Jane Grey
The woman at the centre of the giant history painting that is undergoing a conservation assessment at The Box until 4 October had a fascinating but tragic life. Find out more about Lady Jane Grey – otherwise known as the ‘Nine Days’ Queen’.
Art - Sep 2023
Meet..... Solomon Hart
Solomon Hart was one of the most respected British artists of the 1800s, but how much do you know about this Plymouth-born artist who went on to become the first Jewish Royal Academician? Here's your chance to learn a little more about his life.
Art - Sep 2023
'Imogen' by Elizabeth Adela Forbes
This 1898 oil on canvas by Elizabeth Adela Stanhope Forbes (nee Armstrong) ARWS RE (1859-1912) was purchased for the city’s permanent art collections in 1904.
Art - Sep 2023
Reynolds' studio materials
Artist Sir Joshua Reynolds’ set up his first studio in Plymouth Dock (now Devonport) in the 1740s, and then established and ran a studio in the Leicester Square area of London. Thanks to archival documents and other items that still exist, we have a good insight into how they ran and how he created some of the many portraits he’s still known for today. Some of these materials are on display in our ‘Reframing Reynolds: A Celebration’ exhibition (until 29 October). Here’s a guide to what you can see!
History - Sep 2023
Archives insight: A Plymouth doctor's gallantry
The Box is currently remembering the 75th anniversary of the foundation of the NHS through telling the story of the courage and self-sacrifice of Dr Alison Jean McNairn (afterwards Jesson) in our Active Archives gallery.
Art - Sep 2023
Rana Begum in The Box
There are 11 different works in the 'Rana Begum: Dappled Light' exhibition (until 24 September), three of which can be seen in The Box's main building. As we head into the final fortnight for this visually stunning show, make sure you check them out when you visit!
Press Release - Sep 2023
The Box awarded unique grant to acquire work by Turner Prize-nominated artist Ingrid Pollard MBE
The Box, Plymouth’s award-winning museum, art gallery and archive, is one of two organisations in the UK to be awarded funding through the latest round of the Freelands Art Fund Acquisition – a unique partnership between Art Fund and Freelands Foundation. Launched in 2021, the partnership helps museums acquire work by contemporary women artists that have won the Freelands Award.