The triumphant tones of one of County Durham’s oldest colliery bands marked the official opening of the region’s new Mining Art Gallery on Saturday, October 21st.
The first gallery of its kind in the country, the Mining Art Gallery in Bishop Auckland Market Place has been created by The Auckland Project, in partnership with Dr Robert McManners OBE and Gillian Wales, to celebrate and preserve a unique element of the UK’s cultural heritage.
Ferryhill Town Band marked the event by filling Bishop Auckland Market Place with the poignant and traditional music they have been performing since 1909, while visitors of all ages gathered together in the town centre to see the gallery opened to the public for the first time.
At noon the Mining Art Gallery was officially opened by Chairman of The Auckland Project, Jonathan Ruffer alongside Dr Robert McManners and Gillian Wales, who have gifted more than 400 pieces from their Gemini Collection of Mining Art to the gallery.
Dr McManners said: “Coal mining wasn’t just a job, it was a way of life and in this gallery are the underground scenes the miners wanted to articulate alongside the community life, the long term-friendships and pride.
“Heritage doesn’t have to be something which is fossilised in the past, it’s something we can take to the future and tell people about in this new gallery.”
After the opening ceremony and throughout the celebratory afternoon, visitors enjoyed free entry to the gallery, filled with original artefacts and powerful artworks by mining artists such as Tom McGuinness and Norman Cornish.
And outside, in the Market Place, youngsters got to grips with their region’s cultural history in free Mining Art activities in the Creative Corner marquee led by members of The Auckland Project’s Engagement Team.
The camaraderie and strong bonds of colliery towns and villages were brought back to life at the Mining and Memories stall, where visitors shared and recorded their memories and experiences of mining life for posterity.
And all ages enjoyed hearing tales from the coalfield as local musician Gareth Davies-Jones performed new songs he has created by working with groups across the region to turn mining stories into music.
Since October 22nd, the gallery is open daily, from 10am-4pm. Tickets are £4 for adults, £3 concessions, and free for Under 16s, National Art Pass holders and HHA members.
A special half price introductory ticket offer is also available for residents of postcode areas, DL4, DL13, DL14, DL15 and DL16.
Bishop Auckland's local community newspaper.
It’s great being a volunteer at the mining art gallery. Visitors are really engaging with the paintings and spend time discussing their thoughts on individual exhibits with staff. The art generates many fascinating stories and memories which people happily share.
We have had visitors from as far away as San Francisco! This gallery is capturing and celebrating our social history and is something the whole family can enjoy. It’s educational and school and community groups are signing up to visit. It’s a real experience and not to be missed.