Check out the rich cultural heritage and vibrant art scene of Sheffield this July with a series of exhibitions and events hosted by Sheffield Museums Trust. From historical collections to contemporary installations, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Sheffield Museums Trust Overview
Sheffield Museums Trust, established in 2021, is an independent charity responsible for six of Sheffield’s prominent museums and heritage sites: Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet, Graves Gallery, Kelham Island Museum, Millennium Gallery, Shepherd Wheel, and Weston Park Museum.
The Trust preserves and showcases Sheffield’s diverse collections, including art, archaeology, social and industrial history, and natural sciences. They engage with communities to narrate the city’s stories, emphasizing Sheffield’s excellence in craftsmanship, making, and innovation.
Exhibitions and Displays
Lubna Chowdhary – PLURIVERSE
Location: Graves Gallery
Dates: Thu 4 July – Sat 21 December 2024
Entry: Free, donations appreciated
Lubna Chowdhary’s PLURIVERSE is a striking exhibition that delves into the interconnectedness of objects within our material world across various cultural contexts. This exhibition features Chowdhary’s latest works, including sculptures and drawings developed during her residencies in India and Italy.
The display explores the relationship between diverse visual languages, materials, and processes, encompassing sculpture, architecture, and craft. Highlights include installations and new works, as well as Certain Times LII, a notable glazed ceramic landscape added to Sheffield’s art collection.
Tess Jaray: Paintings and Drawings Across 60 Years
Location: Millennium Gallery
Dates: 20 Jul – 13 Oct 2024
Entry: Free, donations appreciated
Tess Jaray, a pivotal figure in British painting, presents a retrospective spanning her six-decade career. Jaray’s abstract works, inspired by Italian Renaissance and Islamic architecture, deconstruct recognizable forms into pure, abstract shapes. This exhibition features a selection of her paintings and drawings, offering insights into her creative process and the evolution of her artistic vision.
Show Your Metal
Location: Millennium Gallery
Dates: Until Sun 29 September 2024
Entry: Free, donations appreciated
Celebrating the 400th anniversary of the Cutlers’ Company of Hallamshire, Show Your Metal highlights Sheffield’s significant contributions to metalworking.
The exhibition displays over 100 objects from Sheffield’s Metalwork Collection, showcasing innovations in Old Sheffield Plate, electroplated metals, and stainless steel. The exhibit also features contemporary artworks that blend industrial and precious metals, reflecting the material’s cultural and economic value.
City of Rivers
Location: Weston Park Museum
Dates: Until Sun 3 November 2024
Entry: Free, donations appreciated
City of Rivers explores Sheffield’s historical and ongoing relationship with its waterways. The exhibition combines stories, objects, artwork, film, and photography to illustrate how rivers have shaped the city and its industries. Contributions from local residents highlight the role of rivers in work, leisure, and wildlife habitats, offering a comprehensive view of their impact on Sheffield’s landscape and community.
Events
Lunchtime Talk: Transforming Spaces – Macalloy’s Architectural Innovation
Date: Thursday 18 July, 1–1.45pm
Location: Millennium Gallery
Entry: Free, booking recommended
Explore the architectural innovations of Sheffield-based Macalloy, known for their high-strength steel rods and bars used in modern architecture. This talk traces the company’s history and its contributions to expansive interiors and bridge aesthetics.
Talk: The Story of Two Sheffield Cutlery Companies, John Bishop and George Watts
Date: Wednesday 24 July, 2pm – 3pm
Location: Kelham Island Museum
Entry: Free, booking required
Learn about the unique histories of two independent Sheffield cutlery companies, John Bishop and George Watts. The talk covers their rise, the evolution of the shoe buckle industry, and the survival of an iconic cutlery works building.
Mindful River Walk
Date: Sat 27 Jul, 10.30am – 12.30pm
Location: Shepherd Wheel
Entry: £12, booking essential
Join Caroline Cook for a relaxing, mindful river walk along the Porter Brook. Inspired by the City of Rivers exhibition, this session encourages participants to slow down, notice their surroundings, and reflect on the natural beauty of Sheffield’s rivers.
Embrace Abbeydale: Share Your Stories
Date: Sat 27 Jul, 11.30am – 3.30pm
Location: Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet
Entry: Free, just drop in
Celebrate Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet by sharing your memories, photographs, or objects related to the site. This event includes family activities and free tours, contributing to a two-year project to enhance the hamlet.
Family Events
Fridays Under 5s – Get Stuck In!
Date: Every Friday during school term-time, 10am-12pm
Location: Weston Park Museum
Entry: Free, donations welcome
These creative sessions for under 5s include messy play, sensory exploration, and object handling, providing a fun and educational experience for young children and their caregivers.
Family Activity: Peg Butterflies
Date: Sat 27 Jul, 12 – 3pm
Location: Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet
Entry: Suggested donation £3
Celebrate the Big Butterfly Count by creating your own Peg butterfly and exploring the hamlet to spot butterflies in the wild.
Family Activity: Darns and Yarns Workshop
Date: Tue 30 Jul, 12pm, 1pm, and 2pm
Location: Weston Park Museum
Entry: Suggested donation £3
Join Sheffield Action on Plastic to learn mending techniques and enjoy a storytelling session. This workshop promotes sustainability and creativity in an engaging format.
Family Activity: Metal Embossing
Date: Wed 31 Jul, 12 – 3pm
Location: Millennium Gallery
Entry: Suggested donation £3
Discover the art of metal embossing through hands-on activities. Visitors can create their own 3D patterns on metal sheets, inspired by the museum’s Metalwork Collection.
Family Activity: Sheffield Action on Plastic
Date: Tue 30 Jul, 12pm – 3pm
Location: Weston Park Museum
Entry: Suggested donation £3
Learn about plastic waste and sustainable practices with Sheffield Action on Plastic. This educational activity aims to raise awareness and encourage eco-friendly habits.
For more information and high-resolution images, please contact: Amy Farry, Communications Officer, Sheffield Museums Trust
