All Articles
Collections - Mar 2025
Inspired by Smeaton's Tower
As we get ready to re-open Smeaton's Tower for summer 2025, we're taking a look at some of the items on display in our Port gallery that have either been inspired by or connected to key moments in the story of this iconic lighthouse.
Art - Mar 2025
'March Sky, Cape Cornwall' by Karl Weschke
This abstract, atmospheric painting is called ‘March Sky, Cape Cornwall’. It was acquired for Plymouth's permanent art collection in 1964 and painted two years before this. German-born artist Karl Weschke led an extraordinary life, many years of which were spent living in Cornwall.
Reimagining the Film Archive; Spotlight - Mar 2025
Spotlight on 'Plymouth Hoe' by Megan Roberts
We take a look at how Megan Roberts, recipient of the Emerging Artist Commission as part of the 'Reimagining the Film Archive' (RtFA) programme, responds to power and class within the Moving Image collection through her piece 'Plymouth Hoe'. Through a blend of archival footage and contemporary voices, the film reflects on how public spaces like Plymouth Hoe have transformed over time, serving as sites of resilience, renewal, and connection.
Reimagining the Film Archive: Discoveries - Mar 2025
Celebrating Sir Wesley Winfield Hall: A cricketing legend
In our recent RTFA discovery, we've discovered a clip featuring former cricketer and politician Sir Wesley Winfield Hall, born in Barbados on September 12, 1937. At 86 Wes Hall is celebrated as a legend in the cricket world for his fierce bowling techniques and tall stature.
Collections - Mar 2025
Carnivalesque in the Far South West
The display cases in our Active Archives gallery are currently full of information and objects that explore the theme of carnival and its related traditions in the South West. They've been created in response to our 'John Lyons: Carnivalesque' exhibition and include some brilliant loans from local organisations and individuals as well as items from The Box. Here are five objects from the collections to look out for next time you visit!
Collections - Mar 2025
Carnival Queen costume
The Carnival Queen is usually the star of any carnival procession and this 1930s costume once worn by 'Miss Plymouth' can be seen on display in our 'Carnivalesque in the Far South West' display until 23 March. Discover more about it and the woman who wore it.
Press Release - Mar 2025
Major Jyll Bradley exhibition will trace a journey of discovery
The Box will present 'Running and Returning' from 5 April-2 November 2025, a major exhibition that explores the rich, three-decade career of British artist Jyll Bradley.
News - Feb 2025
How it started v How it's going - Part One
As we get closer to welcoming our millionth visit, and start thinking about how we're going to celebrate our fifth birthday this autumn, we thought we'd take a look back and remind ourselves just how far we've come since the Museum and Art Gallery, former Central Library building and St Luke's closed so The Box could be created. In this post, we're taking a look at some of the spaces on our ground floor. Let's step back in time!
Reimagining the Film Archive: Discoveries - Feb 2025
Revisiting Woven Legacies: The Tapestry of Craft, Migration and Heritage
In the latest Reimagining the Film Archives (RtFA) discovery, we revisit a clip from the BFI Player: 'A Woven History: Exploring Craft, Migration and Legacy in the Varanasi Carpet Traditions'.
Press Release - Feb 2025
Meet the artist: John Lyons
John Lyons is the artist and poet behind the latest exhibition at The Box. 'Carnivalesque' is the first major survey of the contribution he's made to British art, art education and literature over the last 60 years and is filled with vibrant, dynamic paintings and a selection of his poems. Here are ten top facts about him and his career.
Press Release - Feb 2025
Steve McQueen’s 'Grenfell' to be shown in six cities across the UK including The Box
Over the next three years, Steve McQueen’s film installation 'Grenfell' will be shown in public art galleries in six major cities across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. It will open at Tramway in Glasgow this spring, after which it will travel to Chapter in Cardiff, The MAC in Belfast, The Box in Plymouth, Tate Liverpool, and MAC in Birmingham.
Press Release - Feb 2025
Sir Joshua Reynolds' 'Portrait of Mai' to visit The Box in 2026
'Portrait of Mai' by Sir Joshua Reynolds is set to embark on its first national tour, visiting Bradford, Cambridge and Plymouth as part of a major new partnership project. Touring for the first time since it was saved for the nation in 2023, 'Portrait of Mai' will travel to Bradford Council's Cartwright Hall Art Gallery, as part of Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture, The Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge and The Box in Plymouth.