Under the Same Sky
3rd October 2020 - 27 June 2021
Wixamtree and Connections Gallery, Free Entry
In this art and social history exhibition, discover the local impact of the weather alongside artists depictions of the sky above. Highlights include stories of the founders of the National Meteorological Society, the weather forecasters for the airships at Cardington and the recorders of rainfall, accompanied by artworks by JMW Turner, Alfred Sisley, Eric Ravilious, Paul Nash, Edouard Manet and more.
Find out more about the exhibition here >
8th February 2020 - January 2022
Edward Bawden Gallery, Free Entry
Explore the passion for architecture of influential British artist and designer, Edward Bawden, displaying his originality, wit and skill in giving character to the buildings featured in his work.
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The Cecil Higgins Art Gallery Sculpture Collection
20th October 2020 – Autumn 2021
Outside Settlement Gallery, Free Entry
To celebrate the Cecil Higgins sculpture collection featuring on Art UK as part of its online showcase of publicly owned sculpture, The Higgins Bedford is displaying some of the highlights from the collection. Ranging from the 18th century to the present day, the collection features artists such as Auguste Renoir, Henry Moore and Jacob Epstein.
Find out more about the display here >
Innovation & Tradition: 40 years of Morris
3rd November 2020 - Early 2023
Outside Somewhere in England Gallery, Free Entry
The last forty or so years have seen great shifts in what most people think of as a fixed and unchanging English tradition.This display traces the impact of innovation and change on tradition through the story of two local Morris teams: Redbornstoke Morris and Bedfordshire Lace Morris. See original costumes, archive photographs and objects connected with these teams over the years.
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Hull Grundy & Cecil Higgins
Continues until Autumn 2021
Higgins House, Free Entry
This display focuses on the lesser known items in the Cecil Higgins Art Gallery collection; jewellery and snuff boxes. Three quarters of the jewellery collection was donated by Anne Hull Grundy in the 1970s, including unique and fashionable mass produced pieces. The snuff boxes were items that Cecil Higgins personally collected, made of precious materials such as ivory and gold.
Find out more about the display here >
Poland: in Bedford
Continues until Autumn 2022
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 >
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.
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'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.
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Let's Be Open About Mental Health to Break the Stigma
Online Display
The Higgins Bedford has worked with the Let's Be Open About Mental Health campaign to showcase this online 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 >
The Fabric of Bedford: The Harpur Trust Art Competition
Online Exhibition
Before the Covid-19 pandemic, The Harpur Trust Art Competition would have culminated in an exhibition at The Higgins Bedford, but is now available to view online only.
This is an online exhibition of selected works produced by local children and young people aged 4-18 from across Bedford Borough schools. The Fabric of Bedford captures the heart of Bedford life in a variety of art mediums including drawing, painting, printmaking and collage.
Find out more about the exhibition here >