THE PERSEID METEOR SHOWER The Moon sets at 10 pm so prospects are good if the weather is kind. Hopefully a good showing for our annual viewing of one of the best meteor showers of the year. More details nearer the time on our web site or by contacting Nick directly.
Give your young adventurer (aged between 9 and 13) an epic summer experience exploring Gods, heroes, monsters and mayhem in our mythology themed camp. Using theatre, storytelling, crafst and more, they will explor and take inspiration from tales from different ancient partheons whilst honing their imaginations and creative skills to become the hero of their own legendary story. For more information, please email getinvolved@royalandderngate.co.uk Bursaries and Lunch Clubs are available. (For younger adventurers aged 4-8, we have Holiday Club: Dragon Masters from Mon 4 – Fri 8 Aug)
Explore the history of gladiatorial fights in Britain. The events of the amphitheatre – its wild beasts and enslaved fighters – are one of the most enduring aspects of Roman culture that still capture the public imagination today. This touring exhibition brings together some of the country's most important objects to tell the story of Britain's entertainment venues and the people who died to the roar of the crowd. It will reveal the violence of the arena, and the importance of spectacle within Roman culture. Highlights include the Colchester Vase loaned by Colchester Museums, which records an actual battle between two real gladiators, and the Hawkedon Helmet, the only confirmed piece of gladiatorial armour from Roman Britain. These iconic loans will be supported by a selection of other items that reveal the popularity of gladiators throughout Roman society. This tour is in partnership with Colchester and Ipswich Museums and is inspired by the recent exhibition at Colchester Castle, Gladiators: A Day at the Roman Games which featured British Museum loans. It will explore Roman spectacle in the local region, following in the footsteps of the gladiators who fought in the amphitheatres of Britain.
For centuries, landscape was considered an unworthy subject for serious artistic exploration. Northampton Museum & Art Gallery Until Sunday 4 October When landscape did appear in paintings, it was often relegated to the background—merely a setting for religious or historical scenes. This perception began to shift in the 17th century with the work of Nicolas Poussin and Claude Lorrain. These pioneering artists crafted idealised rural vistas to illustrate the myths of Ancient Greece and Rome, imbuing natural elements with metaphorical meaning. Through their romantic and structured visions of the countryside, landscape painting began to gain recognition as a meaningful art form. It was not until the 19th century, however, that landscape truly came into its own. Artists such as J.M.W. Turner and John Constable redefined the genre, capturing the drama, emotion, and grandeur of the natural world. Their work affirmed landscape as a powerful subject in its own right—one that continues to inspire artists to this day. Drawing from the museum collections, this exhibition explores the evolution of landscape painting, where nature takes centre stage.
We are very pleased to be hosting this exhibition across all our galleries here at 78 Derngate. Simon James is a multi-disciplinary artist who explores themes of nature and the urban environment in mostly abstract or semi-abstract forms and takes inspiration from his surroundings in the cities of Asia and Europe or, more recently, the English countryside. James trained in Fine Art and Printmaking at London’s Royal Academy and Royal College of Art and he now works across the spectrum from painting and drawing to video and photographic works, having adopted the expressive potential of digital media while working as a designer and independent artist in Asia. Having held solo shows in London, Berlin, Singapore, Shanghai and Tokyo, whilst also designing for TV, publishing and the music industry, Simon was also a university lecturer in multimedia and photography. www.simonjames.com
Wednesdays on 30 July, 6, 13, 20, 27 August 12-4pm Northampton Museum & Art Gallery Looking for the perfect way to keep the kids entertained this school holiday? Pop in for Wednesday afternoons packed with fun activities, puzzles, and games! Let them explore exciting themed trails, challenge themselves with brain-teasing games, and dive into interactive experiences designed to spark their curiosity. Whether they’re solving mysteries, getting hands-on with crafts, or discovering something new, there’s plenty to keep young minds engaged. No need to book—just drop by and join the adventure this Wednesday afternoon! Free of charge – donations welcome!