The Harris Creates online virtual gallery

For those of us with an artistic inclination  we may be feeling slightly lost since many established galleries and exhibitions have been closed in response to the corona virus pandemic. 

 

Organisers though at The Harris Museum and Art Gallery are painfully aware of the importance of culture in our lives for sheer escapism and to enhance our thirst for art. 

 

The Artful Line opened just before lockdown began and has a selection of works from the Harris and the Courtauld Gallery in London.

 

Drawings and paintings on display are from the following five artists:-

In addition, there are a selection of contemporary works from local Preston artists Gavin Renshaw, Kathryn Poole and Anita George.

 

Preston and the Courtaulds have strong  historic roots  which sees the former textile factory being based up at Red Scar and the Harris  running a series of exhibitions and projects exploring the city’s connection with the brand.

 

As may of us are unable to visit the Harris an online virtual tour has been set-up. This tour allows you to walk around the exhibition space, virtually, and click on the different drawings and paintings for more information.

 

Leader of Preston City Council, councillor Matthew Brown, expressed these words of joy in response to the positive output of this service, 

 

“We are grateful that the Harris and Courtauld teams have been able to deliver this fascinating exhibition online for everyone to enjoy safely from home. I know many of us are missing the opportunity to visit familiar places such as museums, art galleries and libraries with friends and family. Going online with their work in this way means the Harris and the Courtauld Gallery can keep in touch with their visitors until it is safe to open again.”

 

When visiting the online site you’ll  be able to hear a curator talk from Dr Ketty Gottardo and the exciting opportunity to have a go at drawing yourself thanks to the Oxheys Mill Studio.

 

Regional programme co-ordinator for the Courtauld Gallery, Katherine Dunleavy, speaks in collaboration with the museum and encourages all to get involved in the creative pursuits, 

 

“We are delighted to have been able to work with the Harris to produce the exhibition online, alongside a special selection of talks and interactive activities available for people to do at home. We hope everyone will enjoy these easy to do activities, find out more about drawing and create their work at home with talks from curators and artists to inspire you.”

 

You can see the virtual exhibition on the Harris website, it’s free to use.

 

Harris Museum launches virtual Courtaulds gallery exhibition and tour 

 

^ Alex Ashworth CCG Art Blogger