2024 promises to be an exciting year for Hull Museums and gallery as the year’s exhibition programme is today revealed.
Starting at the Ferens Art Gallery in February, visitors are invited to a colourful journey into the imagination and experiences of disabled artist Jason Wilsher-Mills.
Created in response to disabled communities in Hull, Wakefield and Manchester, Jason’s theatrical portraits and sculptures reflect aspects of his personality, memory, and disability. This family-friendly exhibition is suitable for all ages and includes Augmented Reality and interactive experiences. Jason Wilsher-Mills: Are We There Yet? will be on display at the Ferens Art Gallery from Saturday 24 February – Sunday 2 June.
The summer will see the work of amateur and professional artists celebrated in the annual Open Exhibition. Running since 1967, the Open Exhibition provides an exciting opportunity for artists to display and sell artwork. Further details of how to submit work for the 2024 Open Exhibition will be released early January.
Young artists will also have the chance to display their artwork in the gallery during the summer as the Young Artist Open Exhibition celebrates its 20th anniversary. The exhibition is open to children aged 15 and under with a huge variety of work, from paintings and drawings, to pastels, collage, and prints submitted each year. Further details on how to enter will be released later in the year.
The autumn programme sees the themes of race, identity, gender and diversity explored through the works of outstanding artists who have made a major contribution to British art. The exhibition, Seen and Unseen, aims to promote artists that haven’t yet been fully recognised for their achievements, and questions who has ‘not been allowed in’ to the artworld.
Over at the Museums Quarter the programme starts in February with an exhibition at the Streetlife Museum created by students at Hull’s Sirius Academy West. It will showcase their creative work inspired by Hessle Road’s once thriving fishing industry, the tragedies of its trawlermen and their pioneering headscarf wearing wives.
The year ahead will also see exhibitions and events crafted with local partners and creatives. Launching on International Women’s Day (8 March), community producing company ARCADE and young people from the Warren youth project will highlight women’s stories and experiences in an exhibition during Women’s History Month, culminating in an evening event.
Yorkshire Wildlife Trust is holding a #TeamWilder empowerment day in April that will launch an exhibition showcasing the fantastic community led action that has been taking place in Hull, inspiring people to get involved.
Summer will see the story of women’s football in Hull explored in an exhibition at the Streetlife Museum. The Lionesses of Hull exhibition will feature different generations of women’s footballers in the local area, exploring how they got into the sport, why they play and their experiences.
The recently opened temporary display space at Wilberforce House Museum will host a range of exhibitions developed with partners and local communities.
Councillor Rob Pritchard, portfolio holder for culture and leisure said:
“2024 is shaping up to be an excellent year for Hull Museums and Gallery, with a fantastic collection of exhibitions and activities for all ages.
“We are incredibly lucky to have high quality museums in the city that are appreciated by our residents and visitors alike. I look forward to seeing this impressive looking year take shape.”
Hull Museums and Gallery Manager, Jane Avison said: “We’re delighted to announce a packed schedule of free exhibitions taking place across our venues during 2024. We’re looking forward to another busy year at Hull Museums!”
The museums events programme will also see the return of annual large-scale events that celebrate the Festival of Archaeology in July and the ever-popular Victorian Christmas in November.
There will be an exciting programme of talks, tours, workshops and family activities to accompany the exhibitions alongside regular events throughout the year and school holidays.
Ferens Art Gallery and museums are open Monday-Saturday 10am-4.30pm and Sunday 11am-4pm, entry is free.
Find out more about the 2024 programme here.
