The New Art Gallery’s anniversary celebrations began exactly 25 years after the building opened its doors, on the 20th of February. They continue with a fresh take on an old exhibition - The People’s Show - the addition of a new work of chrysanthemum flowers gifted by Walsall-born artist Hannah Maybank, and plenty more besides.

Opening just weeks into the new millennium - and replacing Walsall’s previous gallery & arts centre - the New Art Gallery represented a forward-looking perspective for the region, while the modern design of the building itself caused quite a stir. Indeed, it was shortlisted for the prestigious Stirling Architecture Prize that very year.

Regular free events are scheduled throughout 2025, including a big summer bash and the continuation of a popular series of community festival celebrations. 

What’s On here picks out a few highlights from the Gallery’s anniversary programme...

---

A Bundle of Joy

A new collaborative exhibition, The Joy Project, commemorates the gallery’s 25th anniversary and runs until Sunday 6 July. 

Created by young people over the last year, the project explores the concept of ‘joy’. The participants - all of whom are younger than the New Art Gallery! - worked as part of a Collections Youth Panel, gaining an outside perspective by collaborating with other groups, colleges and schools. 

As part of the exhibition, the Youth Panel have revived a popular show that was exhibited in the 1990s in the previous gallery, now Walsall’s library. The original, entitled The People’s Show, was inspired by the need to create more space for the gallery’s collections. In a series of photographs, it showcased local people and their personal collections. 

In The Joy Project, new photo portraits by Sherrie Edgar have been added to the series, exploring what ‘the joy of collecting’ means to individuals under the age of 25 - whether they’re fans of trainers or vinyl records.

---

Art in architecture

The New Art Gallery was designed by architects Peter St John and Adam Caruso, who were selected for the job following an international competition. 

The building contains six interconnected floors, designed to inspire visitors to explore the space and discover the treats contained in each of the galleries. 

The rooms which house the Garman Ryan Collection are at a comfortably domestic scale, contrasting with the large and impressive temporary exhibition space on the floor above. 

Nods to natural materials - from the building’s exterior terracotta, to the mixture of wood used inside - gives the design warmth while still retaining a contemporary, airy brightness. The building is literally topped off by a roof terrace designed by artist Sarah Staton.

---

Community ventures

The gallery hosts a World Book Day celebration on Saturday 8 March. The event includes a special performance of Mughal Miniatures: The Peacock & The Princess by Sonia Sabri Company, interactive poetry from Pep the Poet, and the chance to make bookmarks with illustrator Bec Tonks. 

The following Saturday (the 15th) is a community day to celebrate Holi, the Festival of Colours. Bharatanatyam dance performances, sessions led by different artists, and food provided by Hargun Sweet Centre all feature. 

The gallery also hosts a regular Sunday Art Club - a weekly, artist-led initiative aimed at young people aged four and upwards. The sessions take place from 12pm to 3pm, on Sundays throughout the year. More information about the content of individual sessions can be found on the New Art Gallery’s website.

---

The Garman Ryan Collection

The New Art Gallery is the permanent host to an exceptional collection of artwork, gifted in 1973 by Kathleen Garman. Garman grew up locally, in Wednesbury, and although she lived most of her life in London, donated the works to her home county, believing in the importance of cultural development outside the capital. 

Developed by Garman alongside artist Sally Ryan, the collection features works by Henri Matisse, Edgar Degas, Paul Cézanne and Vincent van Gogh. Sculptures by Garman’s partner, Jacob Epstein, are also included, among other works. 

The New Art Gallery was designed with the collection very much in mind. The works are housed in unique galleries, and grouped - as suggested by Garman - to prompt viewers to make links across cultures and centuries.

---

Flash forward...

Other shows this year include Suzanne Holtom’s And Hills Bore Scars (opening on Saturday 29 March) in which she explores her deep connection to her Midlands roots. According to the artist, the exhibition “encompasses geological time, social histories, personal experiences and memory”.

Looking ahead to summer, the gallery will host a National Open exhibition presented by Outside In, a charity that provides a platform for artists who encounter significant barriers to the art world. This year’s theme is ‘Shelter’.

Walsall-born artist Hannah Maybank is creating a special new work as a gift to celebrate the gallery’s birthday, also exhibiting a series which explores the still-life genre. The works all make use of materials that change over time - including silver - to create ‘living still lives’. 

---

Reasons to visit

• The Gallery features world-class art exhibitions, which include works by Van Gogh, Monet, Picasso and more

• It’s centrally located and easy to access - only three minutes’ walk from major transport links, like Walsall Train Station

• The venue hosts a welcoming programme of events, celebrating a range of festivities and reflecting the local community

• Children and young people can join the regular Sunday Art Club, for free, to get involved and learn new creative skills

• The New Art Gallery represents a flagship drive to bring exceptional artwork to the Black Country

Find out more at thenewartgallerywalsall.org.uk.