The famous gharial, however, is still being restored and not yet available to view
The new Swindon Museum and Art Gallery will open on Tuesday, in the specially adapted upper storey of the Civic offices in Euclid Street, following the closure of the previous museum and galley in Apsley House in Bath Road just before the first lockdown of 2020.
And it has been given a new name: Museum & Art Swindon and, a new website was also launched for Museum & Art Swindon and can be found here.
Councillor Marina Strinkovsky, the borough council’s cabinet member for planning and placemaking has overseen the project for just over its final year. She said: “I’m thrilled that we’re finally able to open this amazing museum and provide a new home for Swindon’s impressive collection of art and artefacts.
“People might be wondering ‘where’s the gharial?’, well don’t worry, that’s the next project for the museum staff. There’s already a project underway to bring the gharial into its new home at Museum & Art Swindon – hopefully arriving by the end of the year.
“This is just the start of our plans to improve Swindon’s art and culture offering and I’m excited that our Arts and Cultural Strategy will be available for public viewing later this month.”
Council leader Councillor Jim Robbins added: “I’m proud of the team and the council for getting this museum over the line.
“The Civic Offices is a fantastic building and having Museum & Art Swindon located here is only going to make it a bigger part of Swindon’s offering.
“I’m excited to see people enjoy the art we have within our collections and to learn more about our history before the railway.”
Linda Kasmaty, Chair of the Friends of Museum & Art Swindon, said: “We’re very pleased and excited that Museum & Art Swindon is opening and look forward to continuing to support them in their new premises on the first floor of the Civic Offices, and publicising the museum and art gallery which we predict will become a cultural beacon, attracting visitors from not only within Swindon but surrounding areas.
“We’re looking forward to being able to see some of the magnificent Swindon collection of 20th Century art again as well as the new interpretations in the museum.”
Opening exhibitions for the museum include:
Elisabeth Frink: A View from Within – produced using the Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation funding through Wessex Museums
Double Take – explores inspiration and creativity using artworks from the Museum & Art Swindon collections alongside works produced by 200 Swindon school children
Pieces of Me – an exploration of identity through art, co-curated with young people from Swindon
Origins – an exhibition showcasing some of the diverse material collected by Museum & Art Swindon since its inception
The History of Swindon – galleries telling the history of Swindon from the Jurassic period up to today
During its opening week, the museum will be open from Tuesday to Sunday between 10.30am and 4.30pm with family activities planned for the weekend.
On Saturday, July 13 this will include family Art Lab sessions, where participants can try a bite size costume design session, create a costume collage or try paper weaving. The following day there will be History Detectives sessions, where visitors will be delving into the world of Saxon Treasure and have the opportunity to design their own Saxon brooch or sword.