Museum activities move online
St Albans Museums are offering a new way for audiences to engage with the collections and exhibitions while the buildings remain closed by hosting a series of online talks and workshops for all ages.
Kicking off the museum’s talk series will be Curator David Thorold who shares his knowledge of the Roman Coins of Verulamium. Join him on 3rd February to discover the significance of the roman coins on display. He will explore how coins were used not only for payment but also as a source of propaganda and news of the Roman Empire.
Another talk in the coming months is Automata and the Artists on 10th February: a discussion with the Director of Cabaret Mechanical Theatre, the company behind the museum’s latest automata exhibition. Audiences will learn more about these eye-catching and humorous moving objects, have a peek behind the scenes of the exhibition and learn about the artists behind the work on display.
In March, there will be a panel discussion with members of the local Jewish community who have been working on an exhibition to go on display at St Albans Museum + Gallery. At a time when a sense of ‘home’ is more important than ever, the panel will share stories of how they made St Albans their home, bringing to life universal themes of roots, community and work.
For those looking for something interactive to do, families can spend time together making wonderful creations inspired by our exhibitions. St Albans Museums is launching a series of online workshops where expert facilitators will help you to get your creative juices flowing, dreaming up creatures and characters that will form your own automaton or create colourful recycled collage artworks. The fun isn’t just for families either, the museum is also running one of its automata workshops just for adults.
Cllr. Anthony Rowlands, Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Heritage and the Public Realm at St Albans City and District Council, said: “When everyone is being encouraged to stay at home, it is more important than ever that there are things to keep our minds active and engaged. These events provide an excellent opportunity to expand your knowledge and get creative from the comfort of your sofa!”
For details of all the events, as well as prices and how to book, please visit St Albans Museum’s website: www.stalbansmuseums.org.uk/whats-on
Image: Baba Yaga’s House – an automaton by Keith Newstead, part of the Cabaret Mechanical Theatre collection, on display at St Albans Museum + Gallery.
For further press information and images, please contact:
Catherine Newley, Audience Development Manager, St Albans Museum + Gallery
Email: Catherine.Newley@stalbans.gov.uk
Councillor Contact:
Cllr. Anthony Rowlands, Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Heritage and the Public Realm, St Albans City and District Council.
Email: cllr.a.rowlands@stalbans.gov.uk; Tel: 07761 232064.
NOTES TO EDITORS
- Cabaret Mechanical Marvels is a touring exhibition produced by Cabaret Mechanical Theatre www.cabaret.co.uk. Although St Albans Museum + Gallery is currently closed, it is due to be on display until 27 June 2021 so will be available to visit as soon as the museum and gallery is permitted to reopen.
- Details of all the events described above can be found on the What’s On pages of our website here www.stalbansmuseums.org.uk/whats-on
- Follow @stalbansmuseums on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for latest news and updates.
About St Albans Museums
St Albans Museums manages St Albans Museum + Gallery, Verulamium Museum, the Hypocaust, the medieval Clock Tower, Sopwell Ruins and the thousands of objects in the City’s collection. Across our sites, we showcase over 2,000 years of priceless heritage and host cutting-edge art exhibitions, sharing local, national and world treasures with all.