News Articles

Someone Who Waits by Spencer Gore | The Box Plymouth
Art - Jul 2022

Someone Who Waits by Spencer Gore

This oil painting, which dates from 1907, was purchased for Plymouth’s permanent art collections from the artist’s widow in 1958. It’s called ‘Someone Who Waits’ and was painted by Spencer Gore (1878-1914). It's one of the many works of art currently on show in our 'Dress Code: Fashion Stories from The Box' exhibition.

The Van Dike organisation and Greg Vandike | The Box Plymouth
History - Jul 2022

Countless bands, thousands of gigs and one family in Plymouth

Michele and Lauren Vandike share the story of The Van Dike organisation, Greg Vandike, and their family's longstanding relationship with the city's music scene.

George Shaw: The Local - Arrival turns to departure | The Box Plymouth
Art - Jul 2022

George Shaw: The Local - Arrival turns to departure

Turner Prize-nominated artist George Shaw has a wonderful exhibition on display at The Box this summer. ‘The Local’ features a carefully chosen selection of old and new paintings and is divided into three sections. In this post, we look at the second of these.

Plymouth gets ready to welcome Queen’s Baton Relay | The Box Plymouth
Press Release - Jun 2022

Plymouth gets ready to welcome Queen’s Baton Relay

A flotilla of vessels is set to escort the Birmingham 2022 Queen’s Baton Relay, as it crosses Plymouth Sound National Marine Park and arrives in Britain’s Ocean City, as part of a 25-day journey which will see it travel the length and breadth of England.

because the night belongs to us how did we get here | The Box Plymouth
Art - Jun 2022

because the night belongs to us: How did we get here?

Our large-scale summer exhibition, 'because the night belongs to us' recently opened across four galleries. But how did it get here? Co-curators Adam Milford, Senior Engagement and Learning Officer and Tony Davey, Engagement Officer reflect on the steps taken over many years to bring this project to life.

George Shaw: The Local - From Coventry to the world
Art - Jun 2022

George Shaw: The Local - From Coventry to the world

'George Shaw: The Local' has just opened at The Box. This major exhibition by the Dartmoor-based artist who was nominated for the Turner Prize in 2011, features existing and new works and is divided into three sections. The first section takes you through a series of scenes from the Tile Hill area of Coventry where he grew up - but they'll probably look very familiar to anyone who lives in a city.

Portrait of Catherine Savery | The Box Plymouth
News - Jun 2022

Portrait of Catherine Savery

There’s a huge amount of detail in this unusual portrait which is part of our historically important Cottonian Collection. You can currently see it on display in our 'Dress Code - Fashion Stories from The Box' exhibition (until 4 September).

The Box selected for V&A’s ‘DesignLab Nation’ | The Box Plymouth
Press Release - May 2022

The Box selected for V&A’s ‘DesignLab Nation’

The Box has been chosen to take part in a national education programme, led by London’s Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A).

High Street Sparks launches second round of funding | The Box Plymouth
Press Release - May 2022

High Street Sparks launches second round of funding

Plymouth’s High Street Heritage Action Zone has announced today that its second round of ‘High Street Heritage Sparks’ funding is now open.

Gertrude Benham: A woman of many mountains | The Box Plymouth
News - May 2022

Gertrude Benham: A woman of many mountains

A tiger puppet from Myanmar can currently be see on display in the ‘Zadie Xa: Long ago when tigers smoked’ exhibition, and it's one of over 800 objects donated to Plymouth’s collections in 1934 by Gertrude Emily Benham (1867-1937). Benham was a remarkable traveller and record breaking mountaineer who journeyed around the world at the beginning of the 1900s. Here's her story.

Bags of style | The Box Plymouth
News - May 2022

Bags of style

The ‘Dress Code – Fashion Stories from The Box’ exhibition includes a number of items from our costume accessories collection, and features a section which looks at how jewellery, shoes, bags and more have been used throughout the centuries to enhance an outfit as well as communicate someone’s identity and status. These three bags can be seen on display in the exhibition and each have a story to tell.

Labelled by Dail Behennah | The Box Plymouth
Art - May 2022

Labelled by Dail Behennah

In response to the ‘Breaking the Mould: Sculpture by Women since 1945’ exhibition, we’re highlighting some of the female artists and sculptors in The Box’s collections. ‘Labelled’ by Dail Behennah was a beautiful installation inspired by our natural history collections that was displayed on the former Museum and Art Gallery’s half landing from February 2009 until March 2010.