Hot on the heels of their busiest ever festival season, The Green Man Gallery has announced a packed and varied Autumn programme.
“Audiences flocked to the gallery in July and many of our Buxton Fringe performances were sold out,” says events manager, Caroline Small. “Our programme for the rest of the year will keep the spirit of the Fringe alive with a mixture of music, spoken word and theatre, alongside fascinating exhibitions, creative opportunities and an evening of antiques.”
The gallery is in great demand as a venue and the new programme includes collaborations with local and national organisations. “It’s always exciting,” says Caroline, “but sometimes hard to fit everything in. We are still managed entirely by volunteers.”
Music and words
The first collaboration of the season brings together Buxton Spoken Words and English Touring Opera. Spoken Words meets at the gallery once a month and ETO have commissioned a member of this group to write a poem inspired by the operas coming to Buxton Opera House in early November. The new poem will be premiered at the gallery on 9th October at an evening of original writing by group members and local guest writers, exploring the themes of Love and Power. Anyone who attends will be offered discounted tickets for the Opera House performances of Cinderella and The Coronation of Poppea. Musicians and singers from ETO will give a free lunchtime recital at The Green Man in early November.
Music and art
The gallery’s #music+art collaboration with classical musician Henrietta Hill continues with a concert by the Endeli 5 Wind Quintet, a solo recital by cellist Ben Michaels and the return of Henrietta’s Trilogy Ensemble later in the year.
There are also gigs to look forward to from Charlie Moritz and Sarah McQuaid, two singer/songwriter/guitarists who relish the wonderful acoustics of the ground floor gallery and the very special atmosphere of live performances at The Green Man. The popular monthly Sunday BuskStop also continues with free live music from talented local musicians, soup on sale for lunch and excellent company. Dates and details can be found on the galley’s website.
Thought-provoking theatre and an evening of antiques
Working closely with Buxton Quakers who meet regularly at The Green Man, the gallery is hosting a performance in October of The Mistake – a new play by Michael Mears exploring the development and deployment of the first atomic bomb. “We are delighted to bring this important play to Buxton for one-night only,” says Caroline. “We expect a sell-out so book early.”
Also in October, Buxton and District Soroptimists have chosen the gallery as the venue for Going, Going, going…Gone! – an evening with TV antiques expert Charles Hanson, as a fund-raiser for Diabetes UK.
Tickets for performances can be booked in person or by phone during gallery opening hours. Online booking links are available via their website.
Regular exhibitions
The ever-changing visual art exhibitions throughout the gallery provide a striking backdrop for all of the live performances and play a significant role in attracting performers to the gallery. Musicians, actors, writers and presenters take inspiration from the vibrant work on display.
During the day, visitors can enjoy paintings, mixed media, printmaking, photography, ceramics and more, and view work-in-progress in the open studios upstairs. “We are proud to be an independent gallery with something for everyone,” says Caroline. The daytime gallery is a place for quiet browse and to buy something beautiful for yourself or as a gift. “Selling art in the current climate is one of the hardest things we do but our artists appreciate every purchase, whether it’s a large painting, a print, a small pot or just a card.” For larger purchases the gallery operates ‘Buy Art’, a payment in instalments scheme to make original art more affordable.
Art for well-being
A further exciting collaboration sees the gallery working in partnership with the Well-Keepers Art Group based at the Serpentine Community Garden. This Arts Council England funded project is led by eco artist Ruby Sufi, and provides workshops for women healing from emotional trauma. Their work, inspired by the rich history of settlements discovered at Lismore Fields, will be exhibited at The Green Man in late October.
Get creative
Ruby will lead three mask-making workshops using ancient craft techniques and materials to create otherworldly masks for Hallowe’en. Suitable for all ages, the workshops are free and will run on a drop-in basis.
There’s also Watercolour Taster Workshop with Resident Artist Costa Alecrim and further workshops in drawing and painting with Geoff Chilton alongside our regular Life Drawing sessions and one-to-one tuition on the potter’s wheels with Earth Pig Pottery.
Details of all the gallery’s exhibitions and events can be found on their website. You can also join their mailing list for regular updates.
The Green Man Gallery is located just off Terrace Road, behind Buxton Museum and Art Gallery.
Opening times are Tuesday and Wednesday from 10.30am to 2pm; Friday, Saturday & Sunday 10.30am to 4.30pm; this may be subject to change depending on staffing. Visit their website or Facebook page for up-to-date information about opening times.
The Green Man Gallery, Hardwick Hall, Buxton
T: 01298 937375
Did You Enjoy This?
You might like our regular newsletter. We put all the best events, cultural highlights and offers from Buxton and the Peak District in your inbox every month.
This information will only be used to send you this newsletter. It is stored in Mailchimp.
