Colchester and Ipswich Museum Services Gallery: Gallery 3 at the Town Hall Galleries
Dragons, Silks and Stories
Opens 3rd May 2008.
An enchanting and FREE day out not to be missed!
This May a brand new exhibition opens at Gallery 3, in Ipswich's Town Hall Galleries. Exploring life in traditional China, the exhibition will feature beautiful objects from the museum service's collection, many of which have not been seen in public before.
See, learn about and explore items and stories that will leave you inspired as you discover life in traditional southern China as it was on the brink of change between 1840 – 1860.
Featuring a fine selection of costumes and ornaments you can see beautiful examples of life from this fascinating point in history. See a wedding robe, a dressing table, mirrors, shoes and more. You can also discover more about Taoism and the beliefs of the time through immortals, gods and the work of a priest in popular religion.
Take a closer look at daily life with examples of tea pots, cups, tea chests and coolie hats, as well as umbrellas, eating vessels and baskets. Plus, discover martial arts with a wall hanging of Kuan Ti, the God of War, paintings of people exercising with different weapons and examples of actual weapons!
Don't miss this fantastic and free exhibition.
Summer Events!
Make Your Own Chinese Art @ Gallery 3, Ipswich Town Hall Galleries
Sat 5th July
Come along to Gallery 3 and see the enchanting Dragons, Silks and Stories exhibition! There is so much to see and explore that you will be spoilt for choice. Be amazed by the beautiful art and paintings on display in the exhibition, then have a go at our fun art activity. Take your pick from a selection of some of the most beautiful and colourful pieces of art in the exhibition, then have a go at recreating your own version.
Free activity and free entry to Gallery 3.
Drop-in 10am – 4pm.
The Silk Trail @ Ipswich Museum, Christchurch Mansion and Gallery 3
Thu 24th July – Sun 31st August
FREE
Everyday over the summer holidays you can enjoy a fun quiz trail at Christchurch Mansion, Ipswich Museum and the Dragons, Silks and Stories exhibition at Gallery 3 in the Town Hall Galleries. In the quiz trail you can learn more about the museums and how many of their fascinating objects were inspired by, or came from the East. Plus, everyone that completes a quiz trail form will be entered into a prize draw, for the chance to win a fabulous prize.
Gallery 3, Town Hall open Tuesday – Saturday, 10am - 5pm.
Chinese Calligraphy @ Gallery 3, Ipswich Town Hall Galleries
Thu 31st July
Come and have a go at doing some Chinese Calligraphy in this enchanting activity. In this session our professional Chinese Calligrapher will demonstrate this art and help you to complete your own banner to take home. She will also reveal more to you about this fascinating and beautiful art of writing Chinese characters.
Chinese Calligraphy, £1.50 per person (suitable for ages 7+).
Bookable activity, sessions at 12pm, 2pm and 3pm.
Spaces are limited, please book by calling Christchurch Mansion on 01473 433554.
Free entrance to Gallery 3, 10am - 5pm.
Chinese Valentines Day @ Gallery 3, Ipswich Town Hall Galleries
Sat 2nd Aug
Come and celebrate Chinese Valentines Day, which traditionally takes place on the seventh day of the seventh month of the Chinese calendar. In this fun activity session you can have a go at making your own enchanting matchstick temple. In imperial China an Emperor was represented by a dragon and an Empress by a Phoenix, and the two would be united at a wedding. Come and decorate your own cardboard puppets of these mythical creatures to make up your own stories with and have some fun.
Free entrance to Gallery 3, 10am - 5pm.
Drop-in activities, 10am - 4pm.
Make your own Phoenix or Dragon puppet, 10am - 4pm. 50p per child.
Great Wall of China @ Gallery 3, Ipswich Town Hall Galleries
Thu 7th Aug
Add you own piece of art to our Great Wall of China mosaic in Gallery 3 this summer. A professional artist will be on hand to assist you to complete a section of the wall with a basic mosaic inspired by your favourite object in the exhibition. Leave your mark by taking part in this fun and free activity.
Free entrance to Gallery 3, 10am – 5pm.
Free drop-in activity, 10am – 4pm.
Emperor’s New Clothes @ Gallery 3, Ipswich Town Hall Galleries
Thu 14th Aug
Why not come and visit the Dragons, Silks and Stories exhibition this summer and have a go at designing some new clothes fit for a Chinese Emperor. Colour and detail your Emperor and stand him tall, ready to be fitted with clothes that you can colour, cut and hang on your Emperor figure.
Drop-in activity, 10am – 4pm.
50p per child.
Free entrance to Gallery 3, 10am - 5pm.
Opera-Masks @ Gallery 3, Ipswich Town Hall Galleries
Thu 21st August
Chinese opera performers wear masks and the colours give us clues about their character’s personality. Create your own opera character and make a mask, which you think shows the audience what they are like. Our professional artist will show you how to make your foam mask and then you can decorate it will beautiful colours and all sorts of sticky bits and bobs!
Opera-masks, £1.50 per person.
Bookable activity, sessions at 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2.30pm and 3.30pm.
Spaces are limited, please book by calling Christchurch Mansion on 01473 433554.
Free entrance to Gallery 3, 10am-5pm.
Chinese Hats @ Gallery 3, Ipswich Town Hall Galleries
Thu 28th Aug
Be inspired by the beautiful hats in the collection and have a go at making your own Chinese summer hat using a variety of unusual materials. Our friendly artist will help you to construct and decorate your hat to take home with you to remind you of your visit to this fascinating exhibition.
Chinese Hats, £1.50 per person.
Bookable activity, sessions at 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2.30pm and 3.30pm.
Spaces are limited, please book by calling Christchurch Mansion on 01473 433554.
Free entrance to Gallery 3, 10am-5pm.
Chinese Moon Festival @ Gallery 3, Ipswich Town Hall Galleries
Sat 6th Sept
The Moon Festival, or Mid Autumn Festival as it is often referred to is when the Chinese celebrate the moon being at its fullest and brightest. Come along to Gallery 3 and gather around our storyteller to listen to this and other fabulous stories. There will also be the chance to sample some moon cake and take part in other free activities. Don’t miss out.
Free entrance to Gallery 3, 10am - 5pm
Drop-in activities, 10am - 4pm
Storyteller, 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2.30pm and 3.30pm