***There are some empty display cases in Settlement Gallery and Somewhere in England due to flooding. ***
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:
Community Portrait Exhibition
28 September – 23 February 2025
Sir William Harpur Gallery – Free Entry
In partnership with Bedford Creative Arts and Fuji film
This exhibition explores the history of photography from 1840s glass-plate techniques to the latest digital technology through images taken by local school children, Bedford College students, community groups and professional photographers.
Delivered in partnership with Fujifilm and Bedford Creative Arts it showcases the Bedford community through their own portraits, whilst inviting the viewer to reflect on the art of image-making through the decades.
Community Portrait: Reprint Revolution Symposium
Tuesday 14 January 2025
13:30-17:00 - Free Entry
Booking Essential
For more information and how to book, visit
https://bedfordcreativearts.org.uk/events/community-portrait-reprint-revolution/
Peter Brathwaite – Rediscovering Black Portraiture
18 May to 2 February– Free Entry
During the first lockdown in 2020, with all his performances cancelled, local baritone, artist, broadcaster and writer Peter Brathwaite began researching and reimagining more than 100 artworks. These artworks featured portraits of black sitters, as part of the online #GettyMuseumChallenge to use household objects to restage famous paintings. He called the photographic series Rediscovering Black Portraiture.
Brathwaite's exhibition at The Higgins Bedford features a collection of his most fascinating images. His works emphasise issues of power, privilege, and identity, as well as the absence or marginalisation of black individuals in European art.
Peter Brathwaite’s restaged version of The Virgin of Guadalupe, and the original artwork, right. Anon, ‘The Virgin of Guadalupe’. Oil painting, 1745. Wellcome Collection. Attribution-Non Commercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) / Cropped from original and colour saturated.
The Gnat and the Lion, 1970 by Edward Bawden (C) The Estate of Edward Bawden
Opens 17 February 2024 - 26 January 2025
Wixamtree and Connections Galleries – Free Entry
This exciting exhibition celebrates the work of Edward Bawden through the work of a new generation of artists.
The exhibition is curated by Edward’s good friend, illustrator and printmaker, Chris Brown. Chris has chosen twenty well-known artists working today to produce art works inspired by Bawden. This new collection will be shown alongside the works from The Higgins Bawden archive that have inspired them.
Chris has chosen a diverse range of artists and makers from different disciplines to make this exhibition an eclectic, fun loving celebration of Edward’s work.
Upstairs in the Edward Bawden Gallery the exhibition continues with a local group of Bedfordshire illustrators, the Circus of Illustration, who have been commissioned by The Higgins Bedford to support eight local artists to produce a collection of new illustrations inspired by the Edward Bawden Archive.
More information about the exhibition can be found here.
Bedford Car Club
Until May 2025
Somewhere in England Foyer – Free Entry
This display celebrates the history and heritage of Bedford Car Club. In February 1906 Bedford Automobile Club was founded and in December 1907 were meeting at the Swan Hotel, Bedford High Street. In 1914 the Bedford & District Motorcycle Club was formed and was meeting at The Lion Hotel. By the 1920s these two clubs had merged and became known as Bedford Motor Club. Members took part in competitions, trials, driving tests, gymkhanas, treasure hunts, dinner dances etc. In 1953 some members broke away to form Bedford Automobile Enthusiasts Club concentrating on the competition aspects. For three decades the two clubs in Bedford co-existed, but in the early 1980s united as Bedford Car Club, going on to great success in various forms of motorsport such as autotests and rallying. During the 2000s club motorsport declined and nationally motorsport was suspended over the period of the Covid 2019 pandemic. Bedford Car Club closed in 2023, donating their heritage trophies to The Higgins Bedford, which are shared with visitors in this display.
Image courtesy of Nick Pierpoint
Mary Anning Rocks
Saturday 9 November – Sunday 23 March
Outside Settlement Gallery – Free Entry
Find out more about the awe-inspiring story of Mary Anning, the pioneering fossil hunter who unearthed marine reptiles and discovered the secrets of Jurassic life. Explore the Jurassic specimens held at The Higgins Bedford in this display curated in partnership with Bedfordshire Geology Group.
Mary Anning Rocks - The road trip
The stunning mini-statue, a maquette made by artist Denise Dutton, has toured the country and is now here in Bedford until 5 January 2025 giving those who can't make it to the South Coast a chance to see the statue that was unveiled in May 2022 in Mary's home town of Lyme Regis.
Find out more https://www.maryanningrocks.co.uk/
Bedfordshire Police: A history
Opens May 2025
Somewhere in England Foyer, First Floor - Free Entry
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.
Ukrainian Folk Art and Heritage Exhibition
5 April 2025 onwards
Outside Settlement gallery, Entrance Foyer and Dressing Room
Join us for an exhibition that will be a celebration of the rich cultural heritage of Ukrainian Folk Art, curated by a local Ukrainian artist.
It will showcase beautiful hand-crafted textiles, jewellery, woodwork and Petrykivka art. The display will share the history and cultural roots of Ukraine as well as a fun Pysanky egg trail around the galleries.
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 >