Web Watch : Reading Museum : Jacqueline Alexander : BBC Berkshire

Web Watch : Jacqueline Alexander : BBC Berkshire

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The Reading Museum

Whilst researching The Big Draw, Reading Museum's exhibition of Stanley Spencer aroused my curiousity. I had very little knowledge of Stanley Spencer or his work so I started investigating.

It turns out that Stanley is a world renowned artist. He was born and lived in the Thames-side village of Cookham in Berkshire. The Methodist Chapel he attended as a child is now the Stanley Spencer Gallery which, as you may guess, is dedicated to his art. This gallery has received a huge donation from lottery funding and is currently closed for renovations so part of the collection has been loaned to the Reading Museum.

Spencer was so attached to Cookham that it actually became his nickname after he chose to commute to college in London every day. Some of his paintings, such as The Resurrection, Cookham (1923-27), set Biblical scenes in Cookham and depicted the villagers as characters from scripture.

The exhibition, as I mentioned is at: http://www.readingmuseum.org.uk/

This museum definitely looks worth a visit. In addition to the permanent and visiting exhibitions, there are a vast amount of activities:

Egyptian Fun
Handle real Egyptian artefacts and make your own necklace.

Let's Print: Make and Take
Try your hand at simple printing.

Going Batty: Make and Take
Make some decorations for Halloween.

Picture Me
Work with an artist to create portraits in the style of Stanley Spencer.

Penguin by Design-A Cover Story The clu is in the title! And there's an exhibition of Penguin Covers through the years.

During October, the museum is showing the Stanley Spencer exhibition. Each Saturday Custodians from the Stanley Spencer Gallery will be in the exhibition to chat to visitors about their local hero and his work. There are also Spencer inspired drawing activities for all ages, as well as talks for adults by Spencer experts. According to their web site, you don't have to be able to draw to join in as there is something for everyone!

I am on my way.

http://www.readingmuseum.org.uk/

Jacqueline Alexander

Web Watch : Jacqueline Alexander : BBC Berkshire