Highlights of 2014

This year we have had seven fantastic temporary exhibitions in the main gallery space and many memorable events.

• We ran six successful cultural tours in collaboration with the Gibberd Garden attracting visitors from as far as Leeds and Northampton.
• The Gallery hosted the launch for the Essex Summer of Arts in June with invited guests from across Essex.
• Hundreds of people came along to a family day of poppy making and poetry readings in relation to the commemorative exhibition 'Lest We Forget'.
• Turner Prize nominated, BAFTA winning artists Langlands & Bell exhibited, for the first time, 30 of their working models here in Harlow.
• We won the Essex Community Partner Award from Denne/Moat Construction.
• Our innovative, education programme saw 10 young people gain their Silver Arts Award, complete a six month Young Curators course and host the "Dreams and Fantasy" exhibition, a student show with workshops .
• Our three John Nash watercolour paintings from the collection were loaned to the Royal West of England gallery in Bristol and our Rodin sculpture, "Eve" went on tour with the "Moore/ Rodin" exhibition to Compton Verney.
• The 'Open 15' exhibition, which can still be visited until the 19th December, attracted over 60 artists, a record number, to submit work and presents more than 100 beautiful pieces.
•        

Corrina Dunlea (Gallery Director) -  My 2014 highlights at the Gibberd Gallery are always welcoming new visitors to the gallery and their surprise that Harlow has such a wealth of cultural attractions in all artistic disciplines. I'm particularly proud of the team and volunteers who are passionate about the arts in this town and work hard to make this gallery space interesting, inviting and memorable. Of course none of this would be possible without very talented artists that have exhibited here.

Alastair Howe (Chair of Harlow Art Trust) - For me the year has been a non-stop series of highlights just anticipating what our fantastic Gallery team are going to pull out of the hat next. From a minimal budget but with maximum enthusiasm they create one outstanding show after another, the Gallery looking completely new and fresh each time. Further highlights are in the back stage discussions about the future, who we can get to show and what we can do next - watch this space!

As always we are grateful to our volunteers for their support of the gallery, without them we would be unable to have such an exciting programme and involve so many different people in the gallery.

What is coming up in 2015?

Next year we have another packed programme of exhibitions and events. Our January to July programme will be available in January but here are a few sneak peaks.

MIDPOINT emerging talent 2015 - Opens on the 7th January

Harlow Art Trust is committed to supporting new talent and has selected three artists that are showing exceptional, exciting artworks full of innovation and promise. One artist featured is Abe Pardue who is a Harlow resident artist. He has recently been commended in our Open 14 for the painting Wall. We hope by giving these newly graduated artists an opportunity to exhibit we can nurture their development as artists whilst also showing visitors new innovative artwork.

Save the date - Saturday 31st January we are open between 11am - 3pm -

'Meet the artist talk' at 1pm which offers you the opportunity to ask questions about the work on display and the artists' practice.

Abe Pardue, Berlin, Oil on Canvas, 2014

Light, Art, Action!

20th February - 28th March

Do you enjoy dance and theatre? This exhibition will be packed with theatre set designs, live dance performances, film and props. Keep a look out for our Saturday openings where local dance schools will be performing dances inspired by Harlow sculptures.

Jazz as artists see it

9th April - 15th May

Chosen artists with an interest in jazz have been selected to create work for this exhibition which will feature painting, musical instruments and live Jazz events.

The gallery closes between 23rd December and the 5th January.

We look forward to seeing you again in the gallery soon,

The Gibberd Gallery Team