You should visit your local gallery this summer!
Many of us fear the boredom that a summer in our hometown brings, but there might just be a wonderful solution on your doorstep
By Poppy Edwards
As far as understanding the divide between the culture of hometown versus university city goes, I would say I am an expert; my meek West Midlands town centre has little to offer in comparison to York. Each time I’m forced to take the dreaded four-hour train home, I find myself struck by a profound boredom at what the city has to offer. With summer around the corner, I’m sure many of us from less exciting places are feeling the same worry over what they will spend the long break doing.
But, as I Googled (for the thousandth time, despite living there for over a decade) ‘things to do in Wolverhampton,’ I was struck by the realisation that despite its constant presence in the city centre, I never thought to consider visiting my local art gallery. It often feels like a thing you do in a new city, a way to venture into the cultural scene of an exciting place. Yet, so many smaller cities across the UK have wonderful art galleries! Often held up entirely by volunteer teams, these galleries rely on the support of locals to keep them going.
In a world where we are constantly complaining about the lack of third spaces, and the decline of things to do away from a screen, galleries are so often overlooked. Not to mention, smaller galleries are often much cheaper than the museums in larger cities (and sometimes, even free!). What’s a nicer way to connect with your hometown friends than a walk around a gallery and a coffee in their café?
Local galleries often have wonderfully diverse rotating exhibitions, since much of their art comes from temporary loans from larger galleries. Alternatively, they might have workshops or events to attend over the sprawling hot days of summer. If you’re staying in York, the gallery runs sketchbook circles and several events that allow you to sharpen up your creative skills. Why not have a look to see if your closest gallery back home is doing the same?
With friends from home scattered across the country, and family busy with work or school, those days back home can start to feel endless.Visiting art galleries can offer you some much-needed purpose, and mindfulness. So, why not consider a trip to your local gallery before you complain of nothing to do over summer?
By Poppy Edwards
As far as understanding the divide between the culture of hometown versus university city goes, I would say I am an expert; my meek West Midlands town centre has little to offer in comparison to York. Each time I’m forced to take the dreaded four-hour train home, I find myself struck by a profound boredom at what the city has to offer. With summer around the corner, I’m sure many of us from less exciting places are feeling the same worry over what they will spend the long break doing.
But, as I Googled (for the thousandth time, despite living there for over a decade) ‘things to do in Wolverhampton,’ I was struck by the realisation that despite its constant presence in the city centre, I never thought to consider visiting my local art gallery. It often feels like a thing you do in a new city, a way to venture into the cultural scene of an exciting place. Yet, so many smaller cities across the UK have wonderful art galleries! Often held up entirely by volunteer teams, these galleries rely on the support of locals to keep them going.
In a world where we are constantly complaining about the lack of third spaces, and the decline of things to do away from a screen, galleries are so often overlooked. Not to mention, smaller galleries are often much cheaper than the museums in larger cities (and sometimes, even free!). What’s a nicer way to connect with your hometown friends than a walk around a gallery and a coffee in their café?
Local galleries often have wonderfully diverse rotating exhibitions, since much of their art comes from temporary loans from larger galleries. Alternatively, they might have workshops or events to attend over the sprawling hot days of summer. If you’re staying in York, the gallery runs sketchbook circles and several events that allow you to sharpen up your creative skills. Why not have a look to see if your closest gallery back home is doing the same?
With friends from home scattered across the country, and family busy with work or school, those days back home can start to feel endless.Visiting art galleries can offer you some much-needed purpose, and mindfulness. So, why not consider a trip to your local gallery before you complain of nothing to do over summer?
31-35, F