I-Spy Signs of Spring

Looking for a way to entertain the kids this Easter? How about trying out this fun new i-spy trail inspired by springtime?

Kevin the Platypus has spotted some signs of spring around the Castle Gardens outside The Higgins Bedford. Download a copy of the I-Spy trail here and see if you can spot the signs of spring as you enjoy a wander through the Castle Gardens.

The Higgins Bedford has many online activities that can be enjoyed from home. 

The next Craft Club session is on Thursday 8th April at 10:30am. Led by Katie Allen, we will be looking at pattern and texture whilst making illustrations of potted plants. Email gemma.hutton@bedford.gov.uk if you would like to join in.

Our Sketch Friday group continues to meet online on Facebook. Every Friday, we post objects or artworks from the collections to inspire the group to make their own art. No particular skills needed to join, it's just for fun. 

The Higgins Knitting and Crochet Group also stays in touch in a Facebook Group and meets once a month on Zoom for a friendly chat and to do some knitting and crocheting together. The next meeting is on Tuesday 20^th April at 11am. Email gemma.hutton@bedford.gov.uk if you would like to join in.  

There's also online jigsaws made from artworks by Edward Bawden, Cecil Lawson, Dante Gabriel Rossetti and more to enjoy, as well as quizzes and blog posts inspired by the collections.

Airship Dreams: Escaping Gravity

Opens 10th July 2021

Bedford Creative Arts, The Higgins Bedford, the Airship Heritage Trust and artist Mike Stubbs, have joined forces to launch this two-fold exhibition which celebrates Bedford’s airship heritage.

Part audio-visual installation, sometimes performance, Mike Stubbs’ contemporary new media artwork invites the viewer on a spectacular journey - weaving material generated in Unreal games software, immersive audio composition, choir, archive film, and interactive sculptural elements.

Alongside it and curated in partnership with the local community, visitors will discover community treasures, oral histories, artefacts, screened digital materials, animation, graphic design and young people’s responses to the themes.

Supported by National Lottery Heritage Fund, Arts Council England, Bedford College, Harpur Trust and Airship Heritage Trust.

Find out more about the exhibition, as well as blogs, videos and activities at

www.airshipdreams.com

Image: © Made by Sam Wiehl as part of the Airship Dreams Project

Going to Town – 200 Years of Bedford’s Art

Opens 10th July 2021

This exhibition celebrates the beauty of Bedford and the surrounding area with artists views highlighting what they have found fascinating about the town and the River Great Ouse.

Some forty watercolours, oils and prints from the past two centuries will be on display, including works by JMW Turner, Dora Carrington, Thomas Fisher and Stanley Orchart. 

Image: Unknown Artist, Bedford Regatta, 1851 © The Higgins Bedford