January 6, 2025
Exhibition Picks in Bath
American Museum, Bath. Claverton. The Museum’s founders, Dallas Pratt and John Judkyn, an anglo-American couple, wanted to show the achievements of Americans in the decorative arts and to show a British audience that there was more to America than stereotypical depictions commonly shown in Western films popular in the 1950s and 60s. They also wanted to foster the friendship and alliance between Britain and America that had been so important during the twentieth century’s two world wars..
Bath Medical Museum. The Bath Medical Museum reopens on the 11th January 2025. In conjunction with the Bath Rebalance Festival, Bath Medical Museum will be providing an exhibition for all the family, inviting visitors to immerse themselves in Wellbeing from January 28th to February 14th, 12 pm to 4 pm, every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at The Hetling Pump Room (opposite The Hot Bath).
Herschel Museum of Astronomy. It is located in a town house at 19 New King Street that was formerly the home of William Herschel and his sister Caroline and features a permanent display of prints, objects and everyday items from the Georgian era when the Herschels lived there including telescopes. There is also a new object: a Gregorian Reflector telescope created by James Short, the pre-eminent telescope maker of the 18th century. The telescope, which is on long-term loan from Richard N. Blythe of Shropshire, was created between 1738-1768.
Holburne Museum. At the heart of the Holburne Museum is the collection of Sir William Holburne (1793-1874), fifth baronet of Menstrie. William seemed destined for a naval career but, following the death of his elder brother Francis, he inherited the family title and a modest fortune. He left the navy and embarked on an eighteen-month Grand Tour of Europe, visiting Italy, the Alps and the Netherlands. Exhibitions: Neon Dreams: Chila Kumari Singh Burman until 12 January 2025; Uncanny Visions: Paula Rego and Francisco de Goya until 5 January 2025.
Museum of Bath at Work. Julian Rd, Bath BA1 2RH. Enter the world of working Bath through a series of authentically reconstructed workplaces, workshops and display galleries. Exhibition: All Day Long: The Workers of Bath in Fifty Portrait Photographs.
Museum of East Asian Art. MEAA’s collections consist of some 2,000 objects. The majority of these are of Chinese origin, spanning from 5,000 BC to the present. The tea ceremonies run on Thursdays every month.
Victoria Art Gallery. Exhibition: Bath Society of Artists 119th Annual Open Exhibition from 13 Oct to 11 Jan to 2025. Browse and buy from a huge variety of artworks by some the region’s top artistic talent.
Exhibition Picks outside Bath
Bristol Museum & Art Gallery. Queens Road. Exhibitions: Bristol Photo Festival: Hashem Shakeri – Staring into the Abyss. His images capture daily life as the country readjusts to life under the Taliban. Until 12 January 2025; Wildlife Photographer of the Year 60. 100 stunning photographs showcasing Earth’s extraordinary diversity and highlighting the fragility of wildlife on our planet. Until 27 April 2025.
Taunton. Museum of Somerset. A retrospective of paintings, sculpture and wood engravings by the West Somerset artist Rachel Reckitt (1908-1995.)
Freshford, Bath. Remembered / Imagined? at The Galleries at Freshford. Multi award-winning painter/printmaker Gail Mason will be exhibiting new works as part of the ongoing series of paintings exploring the semi-abstract landscapes of her day-dreaming world. 13 Jan to15 Mar. Open 8am-5pm.