The National Gallery’s Visits tour kicked off with a bang as over 2,500 Islanders flocked to see Constable’s ‘The Cornfield’ in Newport at the start of June.
In partnership with the visiting exhibition, the Museum of Island History welcomed over 750 visitors who enjoyed free admission during the week, including 180 people on Saturday the 10th June when a family engagement day was offered.
about the arrival of The Cornfield on the Isle of Wight
Community creative response
Local creative health charity Independent Arts were invited to lead on a community creative response to the painting.
Throughout the week, creative workshops were offered across singing, sculpting, watercolour, drawing and photographic mediums.
A new schools workshop
The National Gallery also funded the development of a new schools workshop which 10 local primary schools will receive. The workshop included dressing up, testing their handwriting skills with ink pens, and completing a photo-hunt from the amazing photographs taken circa 1900 of rural life on the Isle of Wight.
Children could ‘jump into the Constable painting’ and take themselves back in time to life in 1826, exploring the ‘day to day’ artefacts from that time. Be sure to look out for a fabulous upcoming display of the work soon to be appearing in Independent Arts high street windows.
Gagliani: This really was a once in a lifetime opportunity
CEO of Independent Arts Lisa Gagliani said,
“Over 300 of our participants and visiting public took part in the workshops and visited the painting.
“For many who attend our groups, a visit to London to a big gallery would just not be possible, so this really was a once in a lifetime opportunity.”
Garratt: Everyone was really positive about their experience
Councillor Andrew Garratt, Chair of Newport & Carisbrooke Community Council said,
“We were delighted to be the first host for the National Gallery’s Constable Visits tour, and to give so many people a chance to see this beautiful painting.
“Everyone was really positive about their experience, with many hoping that it would be an ongoing aspect of our new premises!
“We particularly appreciated how National Gallery staff took time to learn about our heritage display of Enfield 8000 car designed on the Isle of Wight in the early 1970s, helping visitors to enjoy this part of their visit as well.”
Jones-Evans: Priceless to see joy and emotion on people’s faces
Councillor Julie Jones-Evans, cabinet member for Economy, Regeneration, Culture and Leisure said,
“Just seeing the joy and emotion on people’s faces as they took in the painting was priceless.
“Having the opportunity to spending time with it, looking for all the details and connecting one’s own life experiences was really special.
“Without all the energy that has gone into High Street and Cultural Regeneration the project wouldn’t have happened here.”
Museum of Island History
The Museum of Island History is open 10-1pm Tuesdays and Thursdays, with admission costing just £1.
News shared by Isle of Wight council press office, in their own words. Ed
Image: Coburg councillors and Isle of Wight council officials visit John Constable’s The Cornfield in Newport on Saturday 10th June 2023
