Introducing Beryl: Bath Spa Students Bring Beryl Cook Exhibition to Life

The Victoria Art Gallery has been working with Bath Spa University acting students to bring its Beryl Cook: Intimate Relations exhibition to life.

The show, devoted to one of Britain’s best loved painters, has been breaking attendance records since it opened to the public on March 7th.

On Saturday May 2nd, from 12 noon – 3pm, 15 actors will be on hand to introduce visitors to the paintings of Beryl Cook (1926-2008).

Stationed next to key works in the exhibition, the students will respond to the people and situations in the artworks with words and poetry readings.

At a first run of the event on March 21, the public response was overwhelmingly positive. Verbal feedback included:

“Great exhibition, brought to life brilliantly by talented Bath Spa University acting students.”

“Fabulous art – fabulous students bringing it to life with their poems.”

“Fantastic. Bought a book for her to sign – she is so still here! If/when the student returns to read their poems – could one please dress up as Beryl?” 

“Fantastic exhibition – makes everyone smile. Poetry by Bath Spa students inspirational.”

“My face is aching from smiling! A very happy show. Loved the poems too.”

The Introducing Beryl event on May 2nd, is free to Discovery Card and exhibition ticket-holders and has been organised in association with Bath Spa University.

Beryl Cook: Intimate Relations remains open to the public until Wednesday May 6, by which point it is expected to have attracted 10,000 visitors. It was co-curated by the Victoria Art Gallery and the Alexander Gallery who are the Bath-based publishers of Beryl’s limited edition prints.

The Victoria Art Gallery is run by Bath & North East Somerset Council, and is open Tuesday – Saturday 10am – 5pm, Sunday 1.30– 5pm, closed Mondays. Telephone 01225 477233; website: wwwvictoriagal.org.uk