From January 2011
Laura Thomas is designing architectural glass to create a visual link between the Beaney’s ‘tudor-bethan’ building and its dramatic new extension.
The Beaney comprises Canterbury City Council's main art gallery and museum, and the Kent County Council-run Canterbury Library. Founded in the late 19th century, through the bequest of Dr James Beaney, it houses a rich and diverse collection including decorative arts, paintings, world cultures and natural history. It is currently closed for a £12 million redevelopment and major extension project, funded by the City and County Councils, with grants from Heritage Lottery and SEEDA. The architects are John Miller & Partners who designed TATE Britain extension and the re-display designers are Casson Mann – who are responsible for the Great Northern Museum (shortlisted for the Art Fund prize 2010).
The museumaker commission brief was informed by the museum’s response to community consultation in which residents asked that the re-development should especially focus on bringing more colour and light into the building. Following discussion with the architects Laura Thomas is designing three internal windows to mark the juncture of the old and the new buildings. She will use her characteristic colour and line to create a striking craftwork that marks a real departure from her small-scale fabric embedments. A sense of structure, deriving from her weave practice will be evident and inspiration will be drawn from The Beaney’s important stained glass collection to create a sensitive permanent work to complement exhibits.
Take part: Laura Thomas is working with museum staff to develop an active community engagement programme that makes links between the collections, the building and the museumaker commission. It will involve students from Centerbury College and local schools. Details of the programme will be confirmed later in the summer.
the museum for visitor information and opening times.
Visit the museum
The Beaney Art Museum & Library, Canterbury
(The Beaney Art Museum & Library is currently closed for redevelopment)
High Street
Canterbury CT1 2RA
Meet the maker
Laura Thomas
Laura Thomas divides her time between public art commissions, research and her freelance design consultancy for the home furnishings industry. ...
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