Our fine art collection consists of watercolours, drawings and prints which cannot be on permanent display as they will become damaged from too much exposure to light. We display the collection in themed exhibitions but sometimes your favourites may not be out. If there is a particular work you are coming in especially to see, please call or email in advance to check whether it is on display.
Current Exhibitions and Displays:
George Price Boyce 'At Binsey, Near Oxford', 1862 ©Trustees of the Cecil Higgins Art Gallery
15 February to 2 November 2025
Wixamtree and Connections Galleries – Free Entry
Discover the effects of colour and light on artists in this new exhibition drawn from the internationally renowned Cecil Higgins Art Gallery Collection. The two exhibition rooms will explore colour contrasts, sunshine and lowlight, southern light and eastern inspiration. Works will include sun-drenched watercolours by JMW Turner, ethereal moons by Arthur Rackham and explosions of colour by Patrick Heron.
In the Connections Gallery works from the abstract art collection are shown alongside a new digital art installation produced by artist Alison Goodyear in collaboration with four community groups. Reflecting on the works in the exhibition, together they will create a virtual abstract painting, which will be filmed in Virtual Reality and shown in the gallery as an animated film.
A full colour catalogue by curators Professor Christiana Payne and Dr Mary O’Neill will be available from The Higgins Bedford shop.
For further information about Colour & Light Study Day and exhibition tour see Talks and Tours
'Covent Garden', 1967 © The Estate of Edward Bawden
Edward Bawden Gallery - Free Entry
Edward Bawden, has quite rightly, been described as ‘The Master of the Linocut’. This new exhibition, drawn from the Edward Bawden Archive, will show the inventiveness and skill involved in printing some of his most famous works through original lino blocks, sketches and the marvellous prints themselves.
For further information about the Edward Bawden Archive Session and exhibition tours see Talks and Tours
Ukrainian Folk Art and Heritage Exhibition
5 April 2025 to 19 April 2026
Outside Settlement Gallery, Collectors Gallery and Dressing Room
Join us for an exhibition of beautiful, colourful, regional antique costumes of Ukraine curated by a local Ukrainian artist. It will showcase embroidered items including rushnyky (long embroidered cloths), serviettes and cushions.
The exhibition will start with the theme of Easter, featuring stunning hand-decorated eggs and a chance to join an Easter egg hunt through the museum. Throughout the year exhibits will change with individual collections of costumes being displayed and various crafts such as Hutsul wood craft and Petrykivka art. Ukrainian folk art workshops will be run during the year.
©Viktoria Tymoshenko
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Camera in the Community Exhibition
19 July – 28 September
Sir William Harpur Gallery
In partnership with Bedford Camera Club
This exhibition shares the story of Bedford Camera Club, founded in 1906, showcasing highlights of their community projects. Come and enjoy a rich selection of photographs capturing our local communities including Bedford street photography, Indian Nritham dancers, Ampthill Festival, Rush farming and cottage industry, Pubtraits (portraits captured in local pubs), and members artwork past to present.
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Bedfordshire Police: A history
19 July - April 2026
Somewhere in England Foyer, First Floor
Come and discover the history of our local Bedfordshire Police forces curated by the Bedfordshire Police Historical and Museum Society. The society is run by volunteers who carry out research and maintain a display at Bedfordshire Police Headquarters. The bulk of the collection is housed at the former Police Station at Kempston, visits by appointment only. The display at The Higgins will highlight objects and their stories collected over the decades.
Let's Be Open About Mental Health to Break the Stigma
Castle Lane Cases Outside The Higgins Bedford, Free Entry
The Higgins Bedford has worked with the Let's Be Open About Mental Health campaign to showcase this display of poems, artwork and messages made by local people, to give encouragment to people who may be struggling with their mental health at this current time.
Find out more about the display here >
Poland: in Bedford
Great Bedfordians Gallery, Free Entry
Explore the stories of Bedford's Polish community in celebration of the 100th anniversary of Polish Independence. Follow their experiences of early life in Poland, memories of migration, journeys to Britain and life after settling in Bedford.
Find out more about the exhibition here >
Spotlight on the Collections
Spotlight Gallery, Free Entry
The Spotlight Gallery currently hosts a display of Greek coins from our collections. Future displays will explore a wide range of themes, including objects and their stories from our stores, recent archaeological finds from around Bedford and the Portable Antiquities Scheme.
Find out more about the display here >
'Paved with Gold': Bedford's Windrush Generation
Online Exhibition
Explore the stories of the people that settled in Bedford, and the contributions they have made to the community in this online exhibition.
Find out more about the exhibition here >
International Women's Day - Pearl Thomson
Online Display
Celebrate the life of one of our Great Bedfordians; Pearl Thomson. Born in Jamaica, Pearl arrived in Bedford in 1956 and became the town's first female teacher from the Caribbean.
Find out more about the display here >