Visit to Burrell

Friends attended Burrell on the 24^th August at the invitation of the Burrell renaissance team. We were welcomed by James  Robinson who gave an overview of the collection  and introduced the team’s aspirations for the collection and the building which houses it. Rebecca Quinton covered some of the ongoing research into textiles and carpets, particularly mentioning the catalogue of tapestry which is nearing completion and will be published soon. There were tours to parts of the building not usually available to the public and to the stores housing art and furniture.  We also saw the skills needed to conserve textiles and some of the glorious carpets. There was an opportunity to meet with staff informally and to have discussions about the future of the Burrell collection.

 Thanks to all staff for the welcome.

Kelvin Hall Visits

In July and August 120 Friends enjoyed visits to see the newly refurbished Kelvin Hall before it opened to the public.

We saw new storage for Glasgow Museums, the splendid lecture room for Scottish Film Archives and all the sporting facilities. It will make a change being on a treadmill and looking out over leafy views of the West End!

There is also a fascinating display in the main corridor showing all the different activities which have taken place in the Kelvin Hall over the years. Brings back memories to all of us of the slightly older generation!

Well worth a visit.

Invitation: Burrell Renaissance event 24 August from 6pm

There are still spaces left for Friends for the evening event at the Burrell Collection on Wednesday 24 August.

The evening is an opportunity to hear from Curators and other members of the project team working on the major refurbishment and redisplay of the Burrell Collection. There will also be the chance to see spaces which are not usually open to the public such as the stores and the flat on the upper level.

The team look forward to welcoming you.

Please RSVP to:

RSVP@glasgowlife.org.uk confirming you can attend on the 24^th August or call 0141 302 2748

(please note that the wrong number was given out in the newsletter. Glasgow Museums apologises for the confusion. The number above is the correct one to use)

Charlotte di Corpo

Head of Development

Glasgow Life

Visit to Cornwall led by Dr Colin Bailey June 2016

Nineteen Friends travelled to Cornwall for a cultural tour led by Dr Colin Bailey. Our visits included the  Royal Cornwall Museum Truro cathedral, two spectacular houses and gardens, the Lost Gardens of Heligan the Penlee Museum and the Newlyn painters , a pottery in St Ives and the Barbara Hepworth sculpture garden. Then on the last day, we crossed the causeway and climbed  St Michael's Mount We were blessed with good weather and well-informed local guides. Thanks to Colin Bailey and ACE tours.

The group outside Truro cathedral

  Photograph by Jennifer Semple

What we did in 2015-2016

Once again the Friends have approved a number of Grants towards the acquisitions of works of art and have supported various other projects carried out by Glasgow Museums.As ever the Children’s Art Exhibition was supported by the Friends, with £1,777.70 going towards the purchase of the medals and the engraving of them. £350.00 was also given for the cash prizes and a further £600.00 was given towards the cost of Display Boards to display the children’s work.A Grant of £9,000.00 was made to Kelvingrove towards the cost of staging the costume exhibition. The Friends also approved a Grant of £3,000.00 to help in the purchase of James Salmon Art Nouveau Furniture.

The largest Grant this year was of £42,587.63 to go towards the Redisplay of the West Court Gallery. The money will help to support an African Eco Zone within the West Court Gallery.

The Museum of Religion staged an exhibition called Angels Galore !and the Friends agreed to grant an amount of £3,500.00 to help towards this.