ATHELSTAN MUSEUM TAKES THEIR TURNER DIVERSITY PROJECT INTO THE COMMUNITY

The Athelstan Museum is taking their Turner Diversity Project into the community as part of their outreach programme to bring living history and art to more local people.

Following the museum’s purchase of the watercolour of Malmesbury Abbey painted by the celebrated artist Joseph Mallord William Turner RA (1775-1851) the Athelstan Museum made a commitment to engage with the local community in various ways to celebrate the town’s art and heritage. 

The Turner Diversity Project is programme of events both within the museum and without to reach more people. One is a schools’ outreach programme led by Janet Casselden. Another is a series of classes in art which are free for those who find it difficult to access such classes because of a medical condition such as Parkinson’s Disease or dementia.

Susan Mockler from the Athelstan Museum explained: “Our Turner Diversity Project is dedicated to taking the Turner painting of the Abbey out to as many people as possible.”

“One of the ways, we’re achieving this is to run workshops in April, May and June for people who do not usually get out to enjoy such activities in the Rausing Building. These will be led by artists Rachel Heard, Jill Buckley and Paul Deacon who have an interest in Turner and the sessions are designed to engage everyone in enjoying producing some art.

“The schools’ project where children have been involved will culminate in a display at the museum’s Rausing Building in June.

“We continue to visit local groups and residential homes too. When we visit residential homes, we gift a framed print of the Turner as a reminder of our visit.”

The Turner painting which had been in private hands for the last 40 years was purchased with the help of funding from the Arts Fund and National Lottery Heritage Fund. The painting shows Malmesbury Abbey from the north on a summer morning.

The free art classes will take place on April 13, 20, 27; May 4, 11, 18 and 25 and also June 1. Places are limited and must be booked in advance by calling Susan Mockler on 01666 577526. 

To find out more about the Athelstan Museum visit https://www.athelstanmuseum.org.uk/