Accompanying a change to Brighton & Hove’s Covid restrictions, Brighton Museum & Art Gallery reopens this week.
Rock ‘n’ Roll with Me: Bowie/MacCormack 1973 – 76, a show of candid photos of David Bowie taken by his childhood friend, opened for just over a fortnight before the second lockdown was imposed. The show was fully booked throughout November meaning ticket holders have now had to rebook or been given a refund.
Now visitors can book slots for the show through the Christmas and New Year period offering a welcome opportunity for some culture and music nostalgia.
In addition, visitors can enjoy the new Queer the Pier gallery, exploring the history of LGBTQ+ community in Brighton & Hove.
A new display, Designing an Enchanted Palace: The Crace decorators at the Royal Pavilion, explores the work of the Crace brothers, designers to the Royal Pavilion is also on show. In our Fine Art Gallery, a new show called Down from London: Spencer Gore & Friends revisits the influential work of the Camden Town Group.
At the Royal Pavilion, visitors can take advantage of the coronavirus restrictions imposing limited numbers to enjoy the splendid interiors of Brighton’s most iconic building. Guests can book up to six in a group, allowing families a welcome alternative activity.
You will also be able to enjoy A Prince’s Treasure: From Buckingham Palace to the Royal Pavilion, a loan of 120 exquisite items from Her Majesty The Queen. The Chinese-inspired pagodas, vases and furniture are usually to be found in Buckingham Palace but have been returned to the Royal Pavilion where they were originally in the in time of George IV over 170 years ago.
Families will love the fascinating upstairs and downstairs stories to be found in Preston Manor, an elegant manor house near Preston Park which will re-open on Fri 4 Dec from 10am.
“We’re so pleased to be reopening for Christmas,” said Royal Pavilion & Museums Trust Chief Executive, Hedley Swain. “We have lots to offer for everyone with our fantastic Bowie show as well as fine art, fashion and our local history galleries.
“Our buildings are Covid-safe and visitors can feel confident when they visit that their safety is paramount. We can’t wait to open the doors on Thursday knowing we have a wealth of rich culture and art to share with people in these difficult times.”
Visitors can also find some unusual and unique Christmas gifts on both the online and Royal Pavilion shops. Many items are inspired by our collections and the exotic interior of the Royal Pavilion as well as souvenirs to accompany the current Bowie show at Brighton Museum & Art Gallery.
Proceeds of all sales go towards the Royal Pavilion & Museums Trust and many of our products are produced locally or made in the UK.
For more information, visit: www.brightonmuseums.org.uk
Bowie image by Geoff MacCormack