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:
La Bouee 1894 by Paul Signac, lithograph on paper
©Trustees of the Cecil Higgins Art Gallery
15 February to 2 November
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
Bedford Car Club
Until 6 July 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 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 19 July - April 2026
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
12 April 2025 to 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. For further details please see The Higgins website, www.thehigginsbedford.org.uk.
©Viktoria Tymoshenko
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 >