A time of celebration at Touchstones Rochdale

Date published: 16/11/2004

Rochdale's award winning arts and heritage centre, Touchstones Rochdale, launches its new exhibition programme this month under the banner of Ceremony and Celebration' and the next six months promise to reinforce the Centre's growing reputation as one of the best visitor attractions in the north-west with new exhibitions in all five of the Centre's galleries.

The 'Ceremony & Celebration' launch will take place on Thursday 18 November, from 6pm until 8pm, with Special Guest, Mr Allen Brett, Vice President of the United Co-operative's Board of Directors, who will open the ceremony at 6.30pm. The evening promises to be packed with fun & lively family friendly activities and provides an excellent opportunity to view Touchstones Rochdale's fine art exhibitions.

In Gallery One, the Community gallery dedicated to exhibitions by groups or individuals who live or work in the Borough of Rochdale, Cartwheel Arts Group have collaborated with local youth groups to capture the vivid and diverse nature of Rochdale today. This exhibition is called 'The Bigger Picture' which explores issues of identity, unity and diversity through various forms of media. The Bigger Picture will be on display until 21 November 2004.

Gallery Two illustrates works from the Touchstones Rochdale's own collection under the title 'Rites & Rituals'. Featuring works by William Hogarth, John Collier (Tim Bobbin) and Samuel Prout, 'Rites & Rituals' explores everything from parties, sports and shopping to marriage, fairs and festivals.Younger visitors can try out costumes in the gallery and transform themselves into a character from one of the paintings. 'Rites and Rituals' will be available to view until April next year.

2004 is the 160th anniversary of the birth of the Co-operative Movement and, in Gallery Three, a celebration of the original Rochdale Pioneers and the vibrant Co-operative Movement of the 21st century, provides the opportunity to see a fantastic collection of traditional & modern co-op banners which will be on display until the end of January.

For those who appreciate the contemporary arts, Gallery Four exhibits 'Fearless' - by artist Alan Birch'. 'Fearless' features issues, fears and phobias. The works range from laser cut pieces to photography, from cast bronze objects to print. All the work in this exhibition has resulted from Alan's personal reactions to images and witnessed events. He takes familiar images and subverts these messages through sharply observed irony and humour - inviting the spectator to be 'in on the joke'. This unique exhibition is on display until 5th December 2004.

And finally, a new and exciting exhibition, 'Ceremony & Celebrations', will pen in the Heritage Gallery. This exhibition, put together by the curatorial team at Touchstones Rochdale, takes a hands-on look at the wonderful festivals that are celebrated by the various sections of our diverse community. Touchstones Rochdale's Museum Access Officer, David Pugh talking about the exhibition said, "this colourful exhibition will appeal to the whole family, with loads to discover about festivals, traditions and costumes representing the many different sections of our community".

No visit to Touchstones Rochdale would be complete without a visit to the museum - this year voted one of the best in the country in the 'Interpret Britain' awards. A trip to the local studies library, tourist information centre, café and shop make up what is surely one of the best ways to spend a day that you will find anywhere.

Touchstones Rochdale is open seven days a week, Monday to Friday 10am-5.30pm and Saturday and Sunday 11am-4.30pm and entry is free. For a copy of the Ceremony & Celebrations Exhibition and Events Programme call into Touchstones Rochdale or telephone 01706 864986 to be added to the mailing list. Details are also available on line at  www.rochdale.gov.uk/touchstones
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