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Exhibitions

Folk for Folk - Art inspired by the past and rooted in the present

#Folk­for­Folk is a project at the Nation­al Water­ways Muse­um Glouces­ter which engages with young peo­ple and com­mu­ni­ty groups.

#FolkforFolk is a project at the National Waterways Museum Gloucester which engages with young people and community groups.

The project encompasses artist commissions, community engagement, events and an exhibition. Opening March 23rd, the exhibition will showcase a selection of the canal folk art collection from the museum, alongside new interpretations created for the project.
The project is funded by Arts Council England and the Canal & River Trust.

The Folk for Folk project has brought together members of Gloucester’s community groups, young people and artists with a team of creatives to develop exciting new art inspired by the National Waterways Museum Gloucester’s canal folk art collection.

In total more than 50 people are contributing to the project, with the finished works including textiles, paintings, sculpture, digital art and photography. The pieces will be on display at the National Waterways Museum Gloucester from 23 March to 28 April 2024.

In the same way that 19th century canal boat people used folk art to proudly enhance their environment and define their identities, the Folk for Folk project is creating folk art for the 21st century. The finished works explore subjects that are important to Gloucestershire’s diverse communities – from housing and living conditions to relationships, personal identity, families and friends.

The National Waterways Museum Gloucester is working with Gloucestershire Arts & Social Projects (GASP!) on Folk for Folk. GASP! has brought together five Gloucestershire-based young creatives to work with groups including Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children, Matson Makers and Art School Matson. Other groups at the University of Gloucestershire, Gloucestershire College and Creative Sustainability are also contributing.

There will be folk art activities available to families throughout the duration of the exhibition including a stamping activity to make your own folk art postcard.

The National Waterways Museum Gloucester is open 10am-4pm, Tuesday-Saturday. The Folk for Folk Exhibition is included with Museum admission and is on Level 2 of the building, accessible by lift.