centre Archives - Bonington Gallery

To accompany The Art Schools of the East Midlands exhibition in our Gallery by John Beck and Matthew Cornford, our Vitrines and Foyer will feature historical materials relating to the history of Nottingham School of Art & Design.

The School was first established in 1843, and counts painter Dame Laura Knight, Desperate Dan creator Dudley D. Watkins, BAFTA nominated director Jonathan Glazer, comedian Matt Berry and visual artist Hetain Patel amongst its notable alumni.

Come along to discover photographs, artefacts, aural histories, press cuttings and more from the art school’s rich 180-year history. Uncover some of the lesser known histories, and hear memories from those who worked and studied here over the years.

This exhibition has been assisted by Researcher & Assistant Curator: Lee Chih Han, Art Museum and Gallery Studies placement from University of Leicester.

Detail from archive footage from the art schools history

Brochure advertising the photography course at Waverly

Sample Book of students lace designs from 1930-1960

Images of the new Design & Digital Arts building

Images of the Waverly building, the original art Nottingham Art School Building

Detail of Fine Art Degree Show catalogue 1989

LAUNCH EVENT

Come along to our launch night on Thursday 21 September, 6 pm – 8 pm for a first look round, alongside Art Schools of the East Midlands in the Gallery.

NTU staff and students are welcome for a first look round from the slightly earlier time of 5 pm.

Free food will be available from 6 pm – first come, first served!

The menu will be:

Vegan Balti with Rice & Mixed Salad (V)
Chickpea, spinach & sweet potato Balti served with rice and fresh mixed salad (vegan, vegetarian & gluten free).
Thai Red Chicken Curry with Rice & Mixed Salad
Thai red chicken curry with mangos & sweet peppers served with rice and fresh mixed salad (halal & gluten free).

From 7 pm, the United Voices Choir will sing a selection of songs chosen for their positive and uplifting messages

Photography will be taking place. There is lift and stairs access and an accessible toilet.

This exhibition explores the rich history of Nottingham Women’s Centre and the fight for women’s rights in the city.

Starting life in a living room during the second wave of feminism in 1971, Nottingham Women’s Centre is one of the oldest organisations of its kind in the country. It was created to support women and fight for equal pay; education and job opportunities; an end to homophobic discrimination; and an end to violence against women – battles still being fought to this day.

Come along to see material from the Nottingham Women’s Library archives, protest placards from Reclaim the Night marches, and more.

Archived Feminist Journals from Nottingham Women's Centre library

Watercolour Painting of Nottingham Women's Centre library, by visual artist and feminist, Circle Yuen.

Artwork and Cover Design by Rosemary Wels

Video documentation of Reclaim the Night marches in Nottingham

Protest banner from Reclaim the Night march in Nottingham.

A Reclaim the Night banner, from the mid-1980s donated to NWC, by Ruth Lewis-Jones

Progression, a collaborative banner made by Terri-Ann, Karem, Kate, Jannet, Chloe, with artist Diana Ali

LAUNCH EVENT

Come along to our launch night on Friday 24 March, 6 pm – 8 pm for a first look round the exhibition, alongside Emily Andersen: Somewhere Else Entirely in the Gallery. There will be free food from 6 pm and a performance from the United Voices Choir at 7 pm.