Enjoy an Evening of Entertainment and Music with the Pre-Raphaelites
- Immerse yourself into the world of the Pre-Raphaelites, with an evening of harp music, herbology and inspiring artwork for one night only at the newly reopened William Morris Gallery, Thursday 13th December between 5pm – 9pm, £5 for entry to the event
- Enjoy cocktails with health benefits - ‘The Gin Garden’ explores and educates visitors in taste, texture and fragrance with botanical demonstrations
- Tate Curator Alison Smith to discuss Pre-Raphaelites as the first modern, avant-garde art movement
Visitors to the new, beautifully refurbished William Morris Gallery will have the opportunity to enjoy all the grandeur of the Pre-Raphaelites on Thursday 13 December. The late-night event celebrates the work of William Morris and the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, exploring the art and culture of his avant-garde contemporaries.
Evocative harp music and cocktails with health benefits courtesy of herbalists and mixologists from The Gin Garden, designed to revive and make merry, will take their inspiration from Pre-Raphaelite artists and artworks. The bar, complete with themed cocktails and nibbles, all offered in a botanical setting, will create a sensory, decadent setting, educating visitors in taste, texture and fragrance with botanical demonstrations.
Visitors can also listen to Tate curator, Alison Smith, to find out why the Pre-Raphaelites rebelled against the art establishment and how they changed the artistic landscape of Victorian Britain as the ‘first modern art movement’. The talk coincides with the major exhibition 'Pre-Raphaelites: The Victorian Avant-Garde' at the Tate Britain (12 September 2012 - 13 January 2013), which includes objects on loan from the William Morris Gallery.
All images are © William Morris Gallery and © The Gin Garden (www.gingarden.com)
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Press contacts and images of gallery and key exhibits
Kallaway PR Nazneen Nawaz / George Eddy - 020 7221 7883
or email williammorris@kallaway.com
Images, detailed captions and full press pack at http://bit.ly/JpVV0X
About The Gin Garden
The Gin Garden (www.gingarden.com) provides entertainment and educate by way of lectures and demonstrations in mixology and herbology and other related topics.
The Gin Garden works with local distilleries, complimenting the botanicals of their unique gin with local herbs, fruits and flowers.
Public venue information:
William Morris Gallery, Forest Road, London, E17 4PP
Opening times 10am – 5pm Wednesday – Sunday. Pre-booked, group visits on Tuesdays. Closed on Mondays.
Telephone number: General: 020 8496 4390, Pre-booking group trips and pre-booked curatorial tours for all days: 020 8496 1466 or email wmg.enquiries@walthamforest.gov.uk
Website: www.wmgallery.org.uk
Entry is FREE
Nearest public transport links: The Gallery is a 15-minute walk from either Walthamstow Central or Blackhorse Road tube stations on the Victoria Line. It is also served by the 97, 215, 34, 357 buses from Walthamstow Central or the 123 from Blackhorse Road.
Follow William Morris Gallery on social media:
Twitter: @WMGallery
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/WMGallery
William Morris Gallery: Winter events programme
Everyday Encounters - 13 October 2012 – 3 February 2013
William Morris argued that art should be part of our everyday life. This exhibition is a response by members of the Society of Designer Craftsmen, whose collection of new work aims to bring the useful and beautiful into our homes and lives. Many of the works are for sale.
Festive Fun - Thursday 29 November 2012, 6pm – 8pm
The Performance begins at 7pm Celebrate the start of the Christmas season with traditional carols sung by the London Forest Choir. Treat yourself to a mince pie and pick up some original presents for friends and family in the gift shop.
Adults £3, children under 16 free, no booking necessary.
Family activities
Family Day: Craft in Action - Saturday 24 November 2012, 12noon - 3pm
Get hands on with artists and makers from the Society of Designer Craftsmen. Experience craft in action and have a go yourself in one of the demonstration areas. Family Day is packed full of creative things to make and do together. Free, drop-in event for families of all ages
Creative Kids: Winter Tales - Thursday 13 December, 10.30am – 12.30pm Jump into stories about real and imaginary places, from Iceland to Cinderella’s castle. Play, make and get hands on with Creative Kids, a regular session for children under five to enjoy with their parents and carers. In partnership with Lloyd Park Children’s Centre.
Free, booking essential
Creative Kids: Making Beautiful Objects - Thursday 10 January 2013,10.30am – 12.30pm
Make beautiful objects for the home, inspired by our exhibition ‘Everyday Encounters’ from the Society of Designer Craftsmen. Play, make and get hands on with Creative Kids, a regular session for children under five to enjoy with their parents and carers.
Free, booking essential
Everyday Encounters Curator’s Tour - Saturday 12 January 2013, 2pm
Discover the people and ideas behind the work on display in ‘Everyday Encounters’, with curator Carol Naylor from the Society of Designer Craftsmen. The tour last 30 minutes and take place in the exhibition room.
Free, no booking necessary
Family Day: Iceland Adventure - Saturday 26 January 2013, 12noon - 3pm
Go on a voyage to the wilderness of Iceland as we discover some of the stories which William Morris loved and translated into English. Family Day is packed full of creative things to make and do together.
Free, drop-in event for families of all ages.
Performances Arbutus String Quartet - Sunday 20 January 2013, 3pm
Enjoy an afternoon concert in the beautiful Georgian setting of the William Morris Gallery. The Arbutus String Quartet will play three quartets from the great masters of the genre; Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven.
£7, booking recommended.
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