News
Integration and Development Plan - The "One Gallery" Project
The planned phase 3 of the project to improve the Stormont Studio and to integrate it - through an extension and glass link - to the Easton Rooms is complete. Early in may 2010 the Rye Conservation Society granted its 2010 townscape award to the project. On 21 May 2010 an event was held to commission the new link.
Louis Turpin Workshops
On 21 August the Friends of Rye Art Gallery organised a one day workshop led by local artist Louis Turpin. 12 artists started out in the garden of Lamb House to make drawings before returning to the Stormont studio of Rye Art gallery to paint an image based on their observations. Neame Designs kindly sponsored the event by providing vouchers for each participant. Elizabeth Kimber, Chair Friends of Rye Art Gallery said "this was the first adult workshop programmed for some years and that others would follow". A half day workshop by Richard Adams is planned for 2nd September 2010.
Rye Art Gallery achieves full re-accreditation status
Following some 18 months of preparatory work, the MLA Council has awarded full accreditation status to the Trust. To achieve this the Trustees had to demonstrate that they had met a series of exacting requirements covering access, public information, facilities, exhibition standards and curatorial standards of the Permanent Collection and archives. Accreditation last for 5 years to mid 2015, during which standards must be maintained.
Funding
The Trustees were delighted that their August 2009 bid for funding from Rye Town and Rother District Councils was successful. Some £30K was allocated to enable the key parts of the development project to be completed. However, more funds would be welcome to provide some additional future improvements, such as new lighting, exhibition hanging and access improvements. All these aspirations remain in the standing strategic plan (available from the Chair Trustees). We welcome further donations from any source.
Sunday Opening Hours
Please note that Sunday opening hours for both the Easton Rooms and the Stormont (when an exhibition is mounted) will be open between 12pm and 4pm (continuously) only.
