Tamworth Borough Council and St Editha's Church are hosting a week-long art exhibition featuring rare works from Tamworth Castle Museum's archives. The Athelstan Pop-Up Art Gallery will run from Sunday 20 July to Saturday 26 July, located in Ankerside, and is free to enter.
The gallery will be open daily between 9am and 3pm. Visitors will have the chance to see fine art oil paintings by nationally renowned artist Richard Whitford, alongside works by celebrated local artists.
Featured artworks and artists
Key highlights include two paintings by Charles James Fox, a member of the Royal Academy, London. Fox has recently been discovered to have had a studio on Ladybank in Tamworth.
The exhibition also displays works by the late John Tracey, landscapes by ceramicist Edith Gater, previously unseen oil paintings by Mary Edwards (best known for her line drawings of Tamworth), and artworks from the private collection of the Weale family. The Weale family were well-known Tamworth photographers, artists and playwrights who lived and worked in Victoria Road.
About the collection
Tamworth Castle Museum cares for more than 40,000 objects in its archives collection, documenting the story of Tamworth and its people across centuries. The collection includes archaeology, social history, fine art and decorative objects.
Councillor Lewis Smith, portfolio holder for people services, engagement, leisure and heritage at Tamworth Borough Council, said the partnership aims to make these collections more accessible to residents and visitors by bringing the castle's hidden treasures into the community.
The exhibition welcomes art enthusiasts, local history researchers and families. Drop-in visits are welcome throughout the week.