Information on Loughborough

Charnwood Museum Opens Two New Exhibitions

Posted on 16/07/2007
Loughborough Newsdesk

Joe Tormey, Debbie Green,Jo Sheppard, Marj Jones, Mike JonesTwo new exhibitions at Charnwood Museum started this week and County Council Chairman Mike Jones and Charnwood Mayor Joe Tormey visited them today (Monday 16th July 2007) to view them first hand.

The first exhibition is art inspired by fossils by Jo Sheppard. Jo currently lives in Quorn however was born in Lincolnshire and graduated with honours in 1991 from Coventry University where she studied fine art. It is here that she discovered a true passion for oil painting.

Taking inspiration from palaeontology, Jos Jurassic ammonites jostle for space with coral colonies as she explores the patterns of nature and the spiral of life. Using a variety of artistic mediums and contemporary techniques, more than twenty works pay homage to the richness, texture, form and patina of natural objects.  Jo says she has an interest in the ambiance characterised by architectural feature and creatively interpreting this is the primary focus of her work.

Displayed amongst the paintings and the mural is a selection of the original fossils studied by Jo, loaned with kind permission from the New Walk Museum in Leicester. Including a rather large ammonite. Jo visited the museum and browsed their vast reserve fossil collection which has led to the production of this interesting body of work. Some further pictures of some of the art work are available here. However it is recommended that you visit the Exhibion to see the full collection.

mike jones, Jo SheppardAlso forming part of the exhibition will be a fossil-inspired mural created by the people of Loughborough during the Streets Alive festival held in May this year in Loughborough town centre. The mural, which is over six feet long, was produced during a free two-hour workshop attended by over 30 local people " from pre-school children to grandparents.

The Stone Secrets exhibition at the Charnwood Museum, Granby Street, Loughborough will run from Wednesday 11th July to Sun 2nd September. 

The second exhibition is all about toys.

The exhibition is full of iconic toys from the past such as Action Man, Tiny Tears, the Care Bears and Star Wars that were made here in Leicestershire by Palitoy at their Owen Street works in Coalville. Alongside the Pailtoy toys are other classics from Teddy Bears to Edwardian Wax Dolls.

The exhibition also explores the history of toys and toy making through Leicestershire Environment and Heritage Services toy collection. Gems on display include a 19th century paper theatre, a toy theatre and puppets from around the world. Other treasures from the toy box on show will include a 19th century Spode dolls tea service and a giant Noahs Ark.

Fiona Ure, Assistant Keeper of Home and Family Life said "This is the first time that such a large part of the Leicestershire museum services toy collection will be on display in the Charnwood area. I am sure local people will fondly recall similar items in their own toy boxes.

joe tormey, mike jonesAn opportunity for visitors to relive their childhood and take a trip down memory lane to the toys of the past before getting hands on and having fun with a variety of modern toys and games. County Council Chairman Mike Jones (Labour, Loughborough East) and Charnwood Mayor Joe Tormey (Labour, Lemynton Loughborough) both got into the swing of things and tried things out for themselves.

Further photographs of the Mayors and County Council Leaders visit are available to view in the photograph albums