MEET THE ARTISTS
Worcester BID has been busy making over the city with artwork on electric boxes and signposts!
Want to know more about the artists? Visit their socials by pressing the link below.
PRESS HERE TO MEET THE ARTISTS
Innovative Solar Butterfly to Stop in Worcester as Part of World Tour
A butterfly-shaped trailer, powered entirely by the sun, will be making a stopover in Worcester this summer as part of a world tour promoting solutions to stop global warming.
The Solar Butterfly was developed by Lucerne University of Applied Sciences in Switzerland and is the world’s largest fully functioning ‘tiny’ house powered by solar energy and pulled by an electrical vehicle. Its creators are driving around the world, across 90 countries over four years, powered only by solar energy in the hope of raising awareness of the climate crisis.
It will be travelling through the UK this summer, stopping off in Worcester on June 1st, before continuing on to Canada, USA, Mexico and Central America.
The Solar Butterfly will be on display in Cathedral Square in the City before spending the night at the University of Worcester to re-charge before continuing its tour.
During the day there will be a chance to see the 80-square-metre solar panel covered trailer, which powers the Tesla vehicle towing it, and take part in a climate quiz while also learning about solutions to stop global warming.
Members of the University’s and Worcester City Council’s Sustainability teams will also be on hand to talk about their work.
Katy Boom, Director of Sustainability at the University of Worcester, said: “We are delighted to be hosting the Solar Butterfly World Sustainability Tour here in Worcester. This fascinating concept will help to keep the climate crisis at the front of people’s minds and help them to learn about the things we can all do to stop global warming.”
The Solar Butterfly began its adventure amid dramatic alpine vistas at the United Nations office in Geneva, Switzerland. The first phase of the project – which has been largely crowdfunded, along with support from corporate sponsors – will take it on a six-month, 22,000-kilometer (13,670-mile) trip across 32 countries in Europe.
Louis Palmer, the brains behind the Solar Butterfly, who, in 2007 became the first person to drive around the world in a solar-powered car, says the purpose of the trip is to highlight climate crisis solutions that already exist – and inspire others to take action.
“The message is that it’s possible to save the planet,” he said.
Find out more about the Solar Butterfly project at www.solarbutterfly.org
Summer bunting is on its way in Worcester!
Towards the end of April, colourful bunting will be installed across the city on the High Street, Pump St, Mealcheapen St, St Swithins St and Broad St!
Join in the fun and decorate your shop windows in the most colourful way you can! Sign ups for the Worcester BID summer window art are still open for all BID businesses until tomorrow at 4PM.
This is a joint installation bought to the city by Worcester BID and Worcester City Council.
Worcester Whitehouse Hotel enjoys visit from Robin Walker MP
Aspire - Contemporary art exhibition by artist Wayne Warren The Commandery, Worcester
Aspire arrives at The Commandery, Worcester on 1 April until 3 September 2023
8 works on the themes of aspiration, dreams and ambition placed at significant points
Free family workshops with artist Wayne Warren on Easter Monday 10 April
Butterflies and angels are taking over The Commandery in an exhibition filled with hope and aspiration. Aspire opens at The Commandery on Saturday 1 April and runs until Sunday 3 September 2023.
The artworks have been created by contemporary artist Wayne Warren in response to the beautiful Commandery building and it’s amazing one-thousand-year history. The artworks represent aspirations, dreams and ambitions.
Visitors can follow the trail of artworks around The Commandery, take a selfie in front of huge angel wings in the historic Great Hall and enjoy a programme of wing-inspired family activities over the Easter holidays, including a workshop with the artist himself on Monday 10 April.
Situated in the heart of Worcester, The Commandery has been a medieval monastic hospital, a Tudor home and a 1950s print works, but is most well-known for being the headquarters of the Royalist army during the Battle of Worcester in 1651 – the deciding battle of the English Civil War.
The artworks include Golden Wings, situated in the building’s beautiful Great Hall; and Growth, a new artwork commissioned especially for the exhibition at The Commandery, featuring gold leaf on oak leaves and acorns, situated upon a stool made of wood from the Boscobel Oak, purported to be the tree King Charles II hid in when fleeing from the Battle of Worcester.
Wayne Warren’s work has been exhibited at Worcester Cathedral and internationally in Hong Kong, Beijing, New York and Venice. Wayne says of his show at The Commandery: “My work reflects my thoughts and feelings about the 1,000 years of history contained within the fabulous building.”
Commandery Manager Rachel Robinson says: “It is fascinating to have The Commandery’s history interpreted in new ways and to shed light on its many layers of history. We hope visitors will enjoy finding the artworks around the building, taking their angel wing selfies, and having fun with the family activities.”
The Commandery is open Tuesday – Saturday 10am – 5pm and Sunday 11am – 3pm. It is also open Bank Holiday Monday 10 April 10am – 5pm and there are workshops at 11am, 1pm and 3pm. Normal admission applies, no extra fee for the exhibition. Small fee for the family activities. For more information, please visit www.museumsworcestershire.org.uk
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗼 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗚𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗹𝗮𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗱!
KEEP UP TO DATE ON OUR SOCIALS AND FIND THE ORIGIONAL NEWS HERE
The new exhibition From the Cornish Coast to the Malvern Hills arrives at Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum
Saturday 4 March – Saturday 1 July 2023 | Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum
Monday to Saturday 10.30am – 4.30pm
FREE entry
The new exhibition, From the Cornish Coast to the Malvern Hills, arrives Saturday 4th March until 1st July 2023, celebrating Worcestershire’s influence on British Impressionism Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum and the links between Worcestershire and the Newlyn School of artists who were pivotal in this magical moment of British art in the nineteenth and twentieth century. Including paintings by Stanhope Forbes, Dame Laura Knight and Elizabeth Forbes. Camille and Lucian Pissarro represent the influence of French Impressionists. As well as, two works by Dame Laura Knight recently acquired for the Worcester City Collection. The artworks were purchased with support from Art Fund, the Arts Council England/V&A Purchase Grant Fund, Worcestershire Heritage, Art & Museums Charity and kind donations from Art Gallery & Museum Members. Dame Laura Knight lived and painted in Malvern and the town and hills become very dear to her, influencing her work.
For more information visit
www.museumsworcestershire.org.uk
There’s still time to get your entries in for this year’s Worcester Show
Whether you’re a great gardener, a brilliant baker or a creative crafter – there’s still time to showcase your talents at this year’s Worcester Show.
With 140 competition classes, there’s something to suit entrants of all ages – and even the family dog can join in the fun. But don’t leave it too late - entries close on August 8! All entries need to be submitted online at worcestershow.org.uk. Those without internet access can visit the Tourist Information Office for a paper copy.
Classes range from floral displays, fruit and vegetables, jams, cakes, art, photography and handicrafts – and you don’t need to be an expert – novice classes are available, plus classes just for children. Entries for the dog show can be made on the day. All judging will take place on Saturday 13 August, excluding Cacti & Succulents which will be judged on Sunday 14 August.
This year’s Worcester Show will be held on Sunday August 14 in the spacious surroundings of Pitchcroft Racecourse, and it promises to be a great day out for all the family.
Children can enjoy a whole host of activities from bouncy castles and a traditional merry-go-round and the ever-popular bungee rides. Free activities include face-painting with Doorstep Princesses, crafting with Arts & Wonder & Wotahoot and the brilliant Music bus from Severn Arts. A sports zone will offer taster sessions of a variety of different sports and an array of market stalls and independent stalls will offer bargains and gifts galore.
To add to the festival atmosphere, there will be musical entertainment throughout the day spread across two stages, with bands taking to the Tom Jones main stage and other acts appearing on the community stage. For the first time the show will also feature an Asian Mela Marquee showcasing food, art, music, dance and craft from across South Asia. This will include cooking demonstrations and henna and creative craft activities for all the family to enjoy.
The show is delivered by Worcester City Council, supported by the Friends of Worcester Show, and for 2022, in partnership with Worcester BID and Chin Badger Media.
Mayor of Worcester, Cllr Adrian Gregson said: “Worcester Show is always a fantastic day out for all the family and I’m very much looking forward to the event – there is so much to see and do. It’s also a great opportunity to show off your talents, whether they be cookery, gardening or art; it’s well worth entering one – or many - of the competition classes.”
Entries for the show are open until August 8. To enter a class or to find out more about the event, go to www.worcestershow.org.uk
Exciting News from Bottles HQ!
A message from Bottles HQ to you!
Exciting News from Bottles HQ! After lots of lovely feedback and the growing success of our Wine Shop we will now be extending our opening times and utilising the gorgeous space within and above the shop for full ‘Drink In’ service. Customers will have access to our FULL range of wines to drink in the comfort of our beautiful and classic Wine Shop.
New opening times will be;
- Monday-Friday 10am-10pm
- Saturday 9am-10pm
- Sunday 10am-5pm
Not only will you have access to our incredibly versatile wine list, but we will also be stocking only the most premium spirits and a small selection of European bottled beers (for those that don’t fancy the vino!)
We will also be offering taster ‘Wine Flights’ accompanied with bites of perfectly paired cheese & meat, as well as full cheese or charcuterie boards. Kick back in the cosy comfort of our ‘Bordeaux Room.’ Think; old oak Barrels, warm glowing tapered candles and of course our trained sommeliers on hand to guide you through our unique and extensive collection of wine. This could be your new weekly (or multiple times weekly!) spot to kick back after a hard day at work.
We also offer outdoor seating as those summer nights are just on the horizon, our shop is situated in the heart of Worcester’s historic city Centre in Reindeer Court (WR1 2DS.)
So what are you waiting for? We’re just waiting for you!
What's new in Worcester? And how can your shopping support Ukraine?
What's New In Worcester?
Art is Ar't has its official opening!
Mayor Stephen Hodges with the ribbon
Having arrived in Worcester from Redditch in December 2021, Art is Ar't had its Official Opening day on Saturday just gone, 26th of March. The Mayor, Stephen Hodges, performed the duty of cutting the ribbon and announcing the gallery as officially open at 10.30 am. A small gathering was there for the ribbon-cutting, made up of the gallery staff and some local artists and their partners.
Dermot O’Connor, Owner
Gallery owner Dermot O’Connor said "visitors to the gallery were greeted with Prosecco and small bites to eat throughout the day, to help us to celebrate our arrival in the city centre, which was needed in order to expand our business operations. Based in Crowngate, opposite the House Of Fraser, the move here has proved very successful, with good footfall to the gallery from the shoppers in Worcester, resulting in a good level of art sales and wonderful feedback from locals and visitors to the city alike. As a Fine Art gallery, we exhibit and sell original works of art and exclusive Limited Edition prints by award-winning, world-renowned artists. We also give up wall space for local artists to show and sell their art too."
Some of the gathering for the ribbon-cutting ceremony
Throughout the day, local artists met with the public and talk about themselves and their art. There was also a crafting table set up for the children of the visitors. Being Mother’s Day on the Sunday, 27th, children were able to decorate wooden hearts and plaques with colouring pens and stick on shapes, for their mums, for a personalised Mother’s Day gift.
Some of the childrens’ decorated hearts
The event was a big success. Make sure to check out the new gallery when you are next visiting the City Centre.
How can your shopping support Ukraine?
The Entertainer is running a fundraising appeal to support the work of both the British Red Cross and The Salvation Army in their response work to the Ukraine crisis.
As of Thursday 31st March, 100% of proceeds (excluding VAT) from selected Mattel products sold in The Entertainer stores will be donated to the British Red Cross and The Salvation Army’s Ukraine Crisis Appeals. The programme features four of The Entertainer’s best-selling Mattel products; the Barbie You Can Be Anything Travel playset, Hot Wheels Infinity playset, Scrabble and Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn 123 Schoolbook Activity Toy. The Entertainer is providing the funds up-front to both the British Red Cross and The Salvation Army’s Ukraine Crisis Appeals ahead of the sales programme launch, to ensure families and those affected can receive urgent support.
These toys will be in a prominent location in-store to make them easy to find. So if you were considering buying a scrabble set, make it The Entertainer to provide support to Ukraine.
