Now Bath and North East Somerset Council have introduced a charging policy for temporary exhibitions at the Victoria Art Gallery, it might be worth considering the £10 ‘season ticket’ that is now available.
It’s an annual pass which allows visitors to ‘come and go’ as often as they please, which is a boon for workers popping in during their lunchtime break or wishing to attend a talk or tour related to the exhibition.
Councillor Paul Crossley (Lib-Dem, Southdown), Leader of Council, said: “The £10 Annual Exhibition Pass works out at just 83 pence a month, or around 20 pence a week. Our frequent local visitors appreciate that this offers great value for money, as Bath & North East Somerset Council strives to protect front line services and still offer everyone a range of opportunities to enjoy culture.”
One particularly happy visitor remarked in the Victoria Art Gallery’s comments book that it costs less to buy an annual exhibition pass than it does for two cinema tickets. She added: “You can also get coffee or tea here for £1 per cup – where else can you find value like that? There is also a new shop in the small free gallery with a variety of gifts and books.”
The Victoria Art Gallery’s upstairs permanent collection remains free to all visitors and has a stunning array of artworks. They are all in public ownership, from a large collection of paintings, by artists including Gainsborough, Sickert and Klee, right through to the modern day. You can also view almost 100 watercolours and drawings of Georgian and Victorian Bath, including a watercolour by Turner, in the drawer cabinets.
Jon Benington, Manager of the Victoria Art Gallery, said: “We’re also proud to present some beautiful sculptures of William Harbutt, George III, the wonderfully-named Admiral Cloudesley Shovel plus a new abstract piece, ‘Solid Air’, by Peter Randall-Page, amongst others. These can all be found in the upper gallery, alongside an exceptional collection of perfume bottles and coloured drinking glasses to be found in Bath. Families and schools are welcome to enjoy the free children’s trails, quizzes and art materials on offer.”
Hundreds of ceramics and glassware from Georgian and Victorian times are always on display in the open storage area, which is a riot of colours and styles. The small upper gallery has a further display of rare 18th century drinking glasses and a varied ceramics display.
Tickets for single visits to the temporary exhibition gallery are available from £2 to £3.50, depending on the exhibition, and will always be available on the day. Children under 16 have free entrance to all parts of the building and Art Fund members receive a discount.
The annual exhibition pass is available for £10. Friends of the Victoria art Gallery can buy the annual pass for £8.
