'Streets of Bournemouth' exhibition will open at Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum in 2010

News release

1 May 2008

Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum announced today that it will open a physical exhibition of the ‘Streets of Bournemouth’ virtual museum.  Both the exhibition and the virtual museum will be launched by best-selling author Bill Bryson at the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum in April 2010, marking Bournemouth’s 200th birthday.

Sue Hayward, Heritage Manager at the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum said, “We are excited to be a key partner in the ‘Streets of Bournemouth’ project. The Museum has a wealth of local history material which is displayed on a rolling basis through our exhibitions and learning programmes.

“The Streets of Bournemouth exhibition in 2010 will really consolidate these local collections that are so important to the town, allowing everyone free access to them.”

The Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum was gifted to the town of Bournemouth by Lady Russell-Cotes in 1908, whilst her husband, Sir Merton Russell-Cotes gifted his important art collection. The collections have had local material added to them since then.

The museum provides a riveting ‘through the keyhole’ glimpse into Bournemouth’s most important historical figures during the turn of the nineteenth century. As well as exhibitions and displays from its own collections, the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum has a programme of temporary and touring exhibitions, bringing a dynamic range of art and culture to Bournemouth.

Admission to the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum and the Streets of Bournemouth exhibition is free and it is open 10am - 5pm Tuesday - Sunday and Bank Holiday Mondays (closed Good Friday & Christmas Day) and is at Russell-Cotes Road, East Cliff, Bournemouth, BH1 3AAT. +44 (0)1202 451 858. www.russell-cotes.bournemouth.gov.uk

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS

1. The Streets of Bournemouth virtual museum project is funded by a Heritage Lottery award of £440,000. Managed by Bournemouth University and Bournemouth Borough Council, the Streets of Bournemouth will become the first online museum devoted to the town’s history. Visitors to the site will be able to see how their own street developed by clicking down through a layer of historical maps.

2. Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum in Bournemouth is a dramatic experience for many visitors.  The exuberance and variety of styles found within the building creates a unique atmosphere that is a mixture of both private house and public museum.  Created by two dedicated collectors, the Russell-Cotes is a museum of national importance.

The galleries display a regularly changing programme of significant art. Famous permanent artworks include Dante Gabriel Charles Rossetti’s Venus Verticordia (oil on canvas (1864-68)) which has toured the world as one of the UK’s most acclaimed works of art.

3. Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday and Bank Holiday Mondays (closed Good Friday & Christmas Day), from 10.00am – 5.00pm and is at Russell Cotes Road, East Cliff, Bournemouth, BH1 3AA, UK, T. +44 (0)1202 451 858. www.russell-cotes.bournemouth.gov.uk

For press enquiries & images

Please contact:
Kerry Curtis at Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum:

T. +44 (0)1202 451823
E. Kerry.Curtis@bournemouth.gov.uk