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:
Body & Soul
2 April 2022 - 2 October 2022
Wixamtree and Connections Gallery – Free Entry
Drawn from the internationally renowned Cecil Higgins Art Gallery Collection, explore artists’ depictions of women over the past two centuries. Old and young, fleshy or ethereal, fashionably dressed or nude, this exhibition examines how beauty and femininity has been celebrated and challenged through the ages, whilst questioning our own modern perceptions.
Almost 60 watercolours, oils and prints will be on display, including works by Edgar Degas, Edvard Munch, Dora Carrington, Stanley Spencer, Henri Matisse, Gwen John, Roy Litchenstein and Chila Burman.
Find out more about the exhibition here >
Future Bedford – An Exhibition of Children’s Work from The Harpur Trust Art Competition
9 July – 4 September 2022
Sir William Harpur Gallery – Free Entry
The Harpur Trust presents an exciting exhibition of artwork by young people aged 4-16 years from Bedford Borough schools as part of The Harpur Trust biennial Art Competition.
Thinking ahead to the future, pupils from local schools were asked to select any year and create their vision of what they think the future might hold for Bedford.
Find out more about the exhibition here >
Edward Bawden: Artist Plantsman
29 January 2022 - 15 January 2023
Edward Bawden Gallery, Free Entry
Explore Edward Bawden’s love of plants and gardens in this exhibition of all things botanical. Drawn exclusively from the Edward Bawden archive, view early wallpaper designs, advertising commissions and iconic linocuts.
Find out more about the exhibition here >
19 October 2021 - October 2022
Outside Settlement Gallery, Free Entry
Research by the Old Warden History and Heritage Society alongside the results of the geophysical survey by MOLA (Northampton) have revealed the grandeur of the medieval Cistercian abbey. The reconstruction illustration by Peter Dunn based on this work will be on display with a selection of archaeological artefacts recovered from excavation at Warden Abbey.
Find out more about the display here >
11 November 2021 – 30 October 2022
The Higgins House – Free Entry
In 2013, artist Arabel Lebrusan received several crates of confiscated knives and weapons from Bedfordshire Police. Through photography, drawings, sculpture, jewellery and audio, this display curated by Arabel explores our complex relationship with knives, and whether the meaning of an object can be re-established and transformed to evoke different emotions.
Find out more about the display here >
Innovation and 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.
Find out more about the display here >
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 >
UK Disability History Month
Online
For UK Disability History Month (UKDHM), explore the personal experiences of people living with disabilities through the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown.
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 >