Wandering around Cromer at the moment is a truly unique experience. 30 life-size reproductions of works from the National Gallery, from van Gogh to van Huysum, are on display around the town, in an exhibition organised by volunteers from Cromer Artspace. “It is just magical seeing the painting outside a gallery in such an inspirational way,” said Anna Murray from the National Gallery, “I just love the way the Cromer Artspace exhibition is bringing a new perspective onto the art.”
Jane Knowles, Director of Partnerships, brought a team from the National Gallery London to Cromer on Friday 2nd September to formally open the outdoor exhibition around the streets of Cromer. “I’m thrilled to be here in Cromer to open this really special exhibition,” Jane said, “this is a completely new initiative for us enabling the National Gallery to share 30 of our most iconic artworks with a new audience in Cromer…Pictures around Cromer is a really special project offering new opportunities for communities to explore their own cultural heritage and creative ambitions for the future…On behalf of the National Gallery I’d like to thank the team at Cromer Artspace whose vision, passion, energy and commitment is inspirational”
Tim Adams, leader of North Norfolk District Council thanked the National Gallery for enabling the opportunity, “this is an absolute steal for Cromer..to have this so visible across the town is tremendous, making a real difference to how the town looks – it really is a wonderful thing to see.”
On behalf of Cromer residents, Ruth Bartlett added her thanks to the National Gallery and Cromer Artspace, and described how some of the artworks had brought such joy to so many, giving so many the opportunity to experience great works of art. Duncan Baker, MP, said after the opening that he was “quite blown away…what has been achieved is thoroughly inspiring.”
The exhibition has been made possible through the support of North Norfolk District Council, Cromer Town Council, Norfolk County Council and many local people and businesses. The unique collaboration with the National Gallery has enabled picture licensing and special photographic facilities for selected images as well as invaluable assistance from a dedicated National Touring Exhibitions Manager and a schools liaison facilitator. The project has been made possible by highly skilled Artspace volunteers dedicating hundreds of hours to the project over the past year.
