The trust was honoured to welcome HRH The Duke of Gloucester to open the new Sir Charles Irving Community Art Gallery at The Wilson Art Gallery and Museum on Tuesday.
The duke was shown the community gallery’s first exhibition, Break The Cycle, by artist Jussara Nazare who led workshops with young people from National Star College and Gloucestershire Carers, reimagining old denim garments destined for landfill.
The gallery was funded by a bequest from the Sir Charles Irving Trust and will showcase local creative talent and help develop young artists. During his visit the duke visited some of the refurbished galleries, the exciting Wilson Kitchen arts café on the ground floor and viewed the plaque commemorating his first visit in 2014 when he opened The Wilson.
The £500,000 refurbishment, which was match funded by Cheltenham Borough Council, has also created artists’ studios on the third floor.
The Wilson’s first national touring exhibition is the acclaimed Body Beautiful: Diversity on the Catwalk, produced by National Museums Scotland, which is free to visit.
To find out what’s happening and the opening offers in the café, visit www.cheltenhammuseums.org.uk
