ART AT THE ALEX: 'Family Lines, Another Look' exhibition (artist Eric Gaskell), Shanties and Pirate Poetry, and open studios
Art at the Alex (Alexandra Arts), 72-73 James Street, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV21 2SL
Art at the Alex is a small, quirky, independent arts centre in Rugby town centre and a hub for local artists and makers. Its main September exhibition is part of the Northants and Rutland Open Studios programme, an opportunity to meet artists and makers and see their work. Alongside art exhibits such as 'The Queen's Handbags' by fibre artist Irene Belcher, and stonecarvings by Pete Martin, visit four on-site studios to see modern and heritage crafts such as ceramics, printmaking, photography, weaving, spinning and dyeing.
During our Heritage Open Days (Fri-Sun, 11:00-16:00, 19-21 Sept) our special Heritage exhibit 'Family Lines: Another Look' will show how Eric Gaskell, an extraordinary artist, illustrated his fascinating family tree. There will be a talk on Saturday by Eric about his research and the development of the art. In a special evening session to mark Talk Like a Pirate Day (Fri 19th Sept, 6-9pm), musicians Keith and Kate of The B Road return with poet Matt Black to teach us to sing and appreciate sea shanties and pirate poetry. Pirate dress is encouraged. There is a pop up cafe and the Alex (although on edge of town centre) has a relaxing, slightly wild garden.
Further information on the programme is available on the https://artatthealex website.
No need to book but check if you wish to meet specific artists as some may be here for only one session during the programme.
Timings & Tours
- Friday 19 September:
- 11.00-16.00 (exhibitions and open studios), 18.00-21.00 (sea shanties & pirate poetry)
- Saturday 20 September:
- 13.30-15.30 (Eric Gaskell Family Lines Talk)
- Sunday 21 September:
- 11.00-16.00 Open studios and heritage crafts
Location & directions
Art at the Alex (Alexandra Arts), 72-73 James Street, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV21 2SL
- Directions:
- Based in a pair of Victorian terraced houses, formerly a pub (The Alexandra Arms), Art at the Alex is in Rugby Town Centre, next door to the lower level of the John Barford Car Park (multistory, £1 for 3 hours) and on the edge of the town's Independent Quarter, leave time to explore Rugby. Bus stops nearby. Mainline rail station 10 mins walk. Rugby is a small and very walkable town, with an Art Gallery and Museum, two theatres and a well known public school and cement works. Fridays and Saturdays are market days.
- Contact on day:
- Chris Pegler
- Telephone number:
- +441788438553
Booking information
- Pre-booking requirement:
- Pre-booking not required
Accessibility details
The porch at the front door has a sharp turn, but can be accessed by most wheelchairs with assistance to hold doors open – we can provide help. The site is level with access to the garden via a slope. Particularly large wheelchairs can access via the garden if arranged in advance - we can unlock the rear (service) gate in Charles Warren Close - please phone. You can store non-folding prams etc under cover in the garden - verandah or pavilion. There is limited space to store folding prams/pushchairs not in use within the Alex.
Additional information
The exhibition is open Thurs-Sat (11-4) throughout September, but the speaker, singers/poetry and heritage crafts demonstrations are for Heritage Open Days (19th-21st - open Sunday this weekend only). The pop up cafe will be available for cake/coffee/tea on Thursdays and Sunday. On Fridays and Saturdays there hot meals will also be available. You can find out more detail on each session and the timings of these from the website https://artatthealex.com
