October 2014 - March 2015

Vladimir Sherwood, Picking Cobnuts (c.1860)

The Gallery for EveryoneOneGallery

See a wide variety of exhibitions in the Art Gallery’s four gallery spaces including those from the local community in Gallery One, selections from the borough’s impressive art collection and work by contemporary artists in the Contemporary Forward programme supported by Arts Council England.

Four Seasons in One Day

until 7 March 2015

This exhibition from the borough’s art collection explores the four seasons through

a range of historic and contemporary works of art. Springtime blossom, summer sunshine, autumn leaves and winter snows

are all captured in work from a range of artists including Adrian Berg, Joseph Farquharson,

Edward Stott and a recent acquisition by ceramicist Halima Cassell.

Stephen Pinnell: Waiting for the Miracle

15 November 2014 – 14 February 2015

Paintings by local artist Stephen Pinnell.

Glennis Brierley: Celebrating A Creative Life

21 February – 30 May 2015

Local artist Glennis Brierley died tragically in December 2013. This exhibition celebrates the richness and diversity of her artistic talents through paintings, drawings, embroideries and

mixed media work representing a lifetime of creativity.

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Natalie Giannikitzakis: Shy

Natalie Giannikitzakis: Act Naturally

until 8 November 2014

Recent Fine Art graduate Natalie Giannikitzakis explores the subtleties of body language through highly detailed pencil drawings.

We welcome applications for Gallery One exhibitions from anyone who lives or works

in the borough of Rochdale – just ask for an application form.

The Contemporary Forward programme is supported by Arts Council England.

A Common Ground: Ikuko Iwamoto, Junko Mori and Kayo Saito

13 December 2014 – 7 March 2015

A Common Ground brings together the work of three UK-based, Japanese-born artists who have a shared interest in the natural world as a source of inspiration for their work.

Ikuko Iwamoto makes tableware and sculptural ceramics based on the repetitive patterns such as those seen through a microscope. Junko Mori’s metalwork consists of multiples of individually forged steel, with her observations of tree and plant matter the driving force behind her sculptures. Kayo Saito’s jewellery is influenced by plants and organic forms, whose apparent fragility, structure and vital energy stimulate her creativity.

Rosa Nguyen: Sanctuary

26 September – 22 November 2014

Touchstones Rochdale is an Asia Triennial Manchester 2014 Partner and will be showing a new installation by Rosa Nguyen incorporating ceramics, glass and natural material to link with the festival theme of conflict and compassion.

www.asiatriennialmanchester.com

Daksha Patel: Bodytopos

13 December 2014 – 7 March 2015

Bodytopos is an exhibition of Daksha Patel’s drawings and prints that map the human body and its interaction with the environment. It includes new work in response to digital scans and environmental datasets. Her drawings experiment with materials such as clay, fat and natural pigments, as well as graphite on paper.

Jilly Edwards: Wanderlust

26 September – 22 November 2014

Jilly Edwards is one of the UK’s leading tapestry weavers. Over the course of her 40 year career, she has exhibited internationally and has tapestries in collections in the UK, USA and Japan. The tapestries in this exhibition explore Edwards’ journeys through different landscapes, including new works in a vivid yellow colour palette.

Photography: Mei Lim

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Talking Heads

Heritage Galleryuntil 18 April 2015

Portraits are brought to life in this exhibition as personal objects are explored and stories are told. Talking Heads celebrates some of the people of Rochdale who have given to the borough.

The exhibition features faces from the past as well as the present. From celebrities such as Gracie Fields to philanthropists like Thomas Watson, each portrait will tell you about themselves and what they have done for the town.

Meet the Heape family who helped to create Rochdale’s Art Gallery and Museum. Find out why Thomas Watson built Rochdale Infirmary and explore the artwork of Tim Bobbin.

The exhibition includes hands-on activities for younger visitors.

A changing programme of exhibitions bringing Rochdale’s past to life. The Heritage Gallery draws on the many extraordinary and rare objects in our museum and archives collections. Each exhibition concentrates on a different aspect of our borough’s fascinating history.

Local Studies Centre

Discover the past for yourself first hand. Whether you’re interested in local history, want to trace your family roots or just want to know a little more about

the street you live on, we can help you find out more.

Our collections include maps, photographs, ephemera, archives

and local newspapers on microfilm. Free internet access including ancestry.com is also available.

Just pop in and our friendly staff will help with your enquiries.

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Our family friendly Museum is the place to find out all about Rochdale borough’s heritage from famous faces to the lives of ordinary people, there’s loads to see and do.

All children must be accompanied by an adult (max. 3 children per adult).Booking required unless stated otherwise – please note this can only be made twoweeks prior to the event on 01706 924492 or in person at Touchstones Rochdale.Activities are FREE unless stated otherwise.

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Every Tuesday until 3 March (No sessions 23 and 30 Dec)

11am-11.45amCreative discovery and sensory play sessions in the Art Gallery for babies aged 0-2 and their parents. No need to book, just drop in.This project is funded by the NHS Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale Clinical Commissioning Group.

Every Saturday from 20 Sept to 6 Dec (except 25 Oct) and 10 Jan – 28 March. 10.30am-12noon or 1pm-2.30pm

An exciting weekly programme of art and craft activities for families to do together. Tickets cost £3 per child

per workshop and accompanying adults go free. Tickets are only available to book via

www.eventbrite.co.uk - search for Touchstones Rochdale.

Suitable for 5-12 years.

Spooktastic FREE Family Fun Day Thurs 30 Oct 11am-2pm

There are plenty of FREE spooky activities and ghoulish goings on at Touchstones this Halloween inspired by Rochdale’s

haunted, horrible histories!

Try your hand at the fiendishly frightful arts and crafts activity stations if you dare! Why not

also go on our 30 minute Blue Badge guided family tour of three infamous haunted hotpots in

the town centre? Tours start 11.30am, 12.30pm or 1.30pm - just sign up on the day.

Pop in for 30 minutes or stay and enjoy all three gruesome hours!

Drop-in event. No booking required.Suitable for 5-12 year olds.

Holiday QuizzesAvailable during

October half term: Sat 25 Oct – Sat 1 Nov

February half term: Sat 14 Feb – Sat 21 Feb

This family quiz takes you on a tour of the exciting exhibitions and once completed you can enter the free prize draw to win a high street gift card.

Free drop-in activity.

The Big Draw Thurs 30 Oct

11am-2pm

Come and join in with theworld’s biggest drawing festival!

Over 280,000 people will bedrawing this October in over 20

countries and you can take part right here in our Art Gallery. Drop-in event. No booking required.

Suitable for 3-12 year olds.

Nature Tiles Fri 31 Oct

1.30pm-3pmJoin artist Alison Cooper

to create your own clay tile with relief prints from

leaves and other natural materials linked to the

Sanctuary exhibition.Booking required.

Suitable for 5-12 years.

Living Prints Tues 17 Feb 1.30pm-3pm

Join artist FrancesWalker for this

drop-in session linked to the A

Common Ground exhibition to create

simple prints on fabric inspired by natural forms.

Drop-in session. No booking required.

Suitable for 5-12 year olds.

Wildlife River-tastic! FREE Family Fun Day Thurs 19 Feb 11am-2pm

Find out more about the bugs, beasties and birds that inhabit the local River Roch in our half term event. Lots of FREE arts and crafts

drop-in activities for the family to enjoy together - pop in for 30 minutes or stay and enjoy

all three hours!

Drop-in session. No booking required.Suitable for 5-12 years.

M6 Theatre Company present Whatever the Weather

Fri 20 Feb Shows at 11am or 2pm

Bringing the outside in, M6’s charming new production is set in the multi-sensory

world of a traditional weather house. Two loveable characters diligently monitor

the ever-changing weather. He is happy inthe bright, warm sunshine. She is happy

in the wet, refreshing rain. But what happens when the winds of

change blow?Book your free tickets from

M6 Theatre on 01706 355898 or email admin@

m6theatre.co.ukSuitable for ages 3+

Every Thursday from 2 Dec to 3 March (apart from 25 Dec and 1 Jan)

Join musician Beth Bishop for a fun, musical drop-in session in the Art Gallery for 2-4 year olds and their parents from 11am- 12noon.

This project is funded by the NHS Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale Clinical Commissioning Group.

Shake, & RollRattle

Santa’s Grotto

Sat 6 Dec 10am-5pm

Although Santa will be very busy preparing for Christmas Eve, Touchstones Rochdale has managed to convince him to take a

couple of days off to visit the Museum. Meet the elves who will help you have some creative fun. Place a wish on the Christmas tree before meeting Santa in his magical Grotto. Each child will receive a gift to take home.

Spaces are limited and booking is essential. £6.50 per child (includes gift). Suitable for children of all ages. Bookings can be made in person

or by telephone to Rochdale Visitor Information Centre 01706 924928 (Tuesday to Saturday 10am-5pm).

(Please note we are unable to change bookings once they have been made or to offer refunds due to Santa’s popularity).

We have a range of regular and one-off events offering lots of opportunities to take part in the arts and find out more about our collections and exhibitions.

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Touchstones Creative Writing GroupFirst Thursday of every month 2pm-3.30pmFree

Now independently constituted, the Touchstones Creative Writing Group meets monthly to encourage and promote creative writing. Encouraging positive health and well-being benefits, the group welcomes new members

both would-be and existing writers, to join in. No booking required.

Sessions are led by Norman Warwick, Just Poets.

Knitty GrittyLast Tuesday of every month

2pm-3.30pmFree, just buy a brew

Come along to our monthly knitting group which meets in Café Life. Feel free to bring along

your own knitting projects, share ideas or start something new. Younger knitters are welcome in

school holidays. No booking required.

Friends of Rochdale Art GallerySecond Tuesday of the month12.30pm–1.45pm

For many years the Friends have been helping the Art Gallery to conserve and acquire paintings for the collection. Talks by invited speakers about historic and contemporary art and craft are held most months with the occasional trip to visit other art collections. Talks cost £2 per person

for members and £3 for non-members including refreshments. Payable on the door – no booking required.

All welcome. Ring or visit our website for further details. Look out for exhibiting artist Daksha Patel talking about her work on 13 January 2015.

Paper Gallery presents Drawing ClubFirst Wednesday of the month

from 1 Oct to 4 March1.30pm-3pm

Free

Join artist Richard Meaghan from Paper Gallery for an informal drawing session in the Art Gallery taking inspiration from the artwork on display

to create your own work. Basic equipment and materials are provided, but you are welcome to bring your own.

Stay for as long as you like. Drop-in session, no booking required.

Ikebana Landscape with Rosa NguyenSat 27 Sept - 2pm-4pm - FreeJoin exhibiting artist Rosa Nguyen to explore her exhibition Sanctuary and the ideas behind it. You will have the chance to work with Rosa to create a landscape inspired by Ikebana, the Japanese discipline of flower arranging, using materials such as flowers, vegetables, branches, clay, recycled plastic, glass and paint.

Wanderlust tapestry exhibition talk with Jilly Edwards

Sat 11 Oct - 2.30pm-4pm - FreeJoin exhibiting artist Jilly Edwards for an informal talk about her work starting in the exhibition and moving tohe Education Studio

for a closer look at samples and sketchbooks for an insight into translating inspiration into

finished work.

Adult craft workshops to put you in a festive mood. Inspired to create a bit more of a homemade Christmas? Then look no further than Touchstones Rochdale. Spaces are limited and booking is essential for both workshops, ring 01706 924928.

Creative Christmas Cardswith Alan Birch

Sat 8 Nov11am – 1pm

Explore printing using the technique of etching and create your own

handmade Christmas cards. Cost £5, payable on booking.

Festive Wreaths with Jude Murray Sat 13 Dec 11am – 1pm

Avoid the crowds and have a break from the Christmas shopping. Make your own evergreen wreath to finish off your festive decorations. Cost £5, payable on booking.

MaD Theatre Company presents Gin & Chronic Arthritis

Part of Rochdale Literature & Ideas Festival

Fri 24 Oct - 7pmMarilyn is not your typical Nan. She drinks gin

for breakfast, ice skates and has numerous internet lovers. When one of these men, Wheelchair Barry

takes her to a psychic night at the local pub Marilyn gets a message from her childhood sweetheart

from the other side. She is over the moon, but Barry is consumed with jealousy. Gin & Chronic Arthritis is one

of MaD Theatre Company’s best loved comedies. Miss it and your life will be that bit emptier than it should be.

Suitable for ages 12+ Tickets £5 – please book at rochdaleliteraturefestival.co.uk

Please pre-book by calling us on 01706 924492

Image © Barry Hobson

Ancient Greek Love & Magic: Two talks by local author Dr Regine MayPart of Rochdale Literature & Ideas Festival - Sat 25 OctoberAncient Magic and Greek Love Spells 11am-12noon & Love at First Sight in the Ancient Greek Novels and Bollywood 2pm-3pm

Dr Regine May works at the University of Leeds as

a Lecturer for Latin Literature and Language and lives in Rochdale. Each talk lasts 45 minutes and is followed by a 15 minute Q&A. Free - please book at rochdale literature festival.co.uk

Outreach DisplaysSee more of the

borough’s Art Gallery and Museum

collections in the display cases at

Heywood Library and Middleton

Arena.

Venue HireTouchstones Rochdale offers a unique

venue for meetings and events. Our studio space and meeting room are

available for hire. Catering can be arranged to suit your requirements.

Ring 01706 924492 for more details.

Arts and Heritage Resource Centre The Resource Centre is where we look after our historic collections. You can arrange to meet a curator and get help with identifying and researching items at the Resource

Centre. Ring: 01706 641085 or email: resourcecentre@link4life.orgThis centre is open Monday to Thursday 10am-5pm - visits arranged by appointment.

Tours can be arranged for small groups to visit this state of the art storage facility. Please book in advance. The Resource Centre is accessible for people with mobility difficulties and

has limited parking outside including a designated bay for blue badge holders.

Schools ServiceIf you are a school or educational group looking

for exciting and interesting learning experiences, then why not visit Touchstones Rochdale. Our expert

led sessions support the new national curriculum and we have been awarded the Learning Outside the

Classroom Quality Badge which is a nationally recognised indicator of high quality educational provision.

Download our Schools Programme from our website or ring the Education team on 01706 924931.

Arts Development

Interested in getting involved in the arts

such as theatre, dance, circus? Check

out www.takepart.org.uk to find out what’s

on offer around the borough!

Visitor Information CentreDon’t just stop in Touchstones Rochdale. Let the Visitor

Information Centre provide you with details of places to visit including local, regional and national attractions. Information

about events and accommodation is available. We can also arrange group tours of Touchstones Rochdale and other

local heritage venues. Call 01706 924928 to discuss your requirements.

ShopThe place to

get that unique card or gift.

We stock a range of souvenirs, postcards, local crafts, jewellery,

books and pocket money gifts for children.

Café LifeCafé Life is the ideal place to

rest and refresh whether you’re visiting exhibitions, just passing by or meeting up with friends.

Café Life is open Tuesday-Saturday 10am–4pm. Food

served from 11am.

PROGRAMME

SCHOOLS

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EARLY YEARS, PRIMARY & SECONDARY

2014/2015

DESIGNED FOR THE NEW NATIONAL CURRICULUM

YOUR MUSEUM NEEDS YOU!

PROGRAMME

SCHOOLS

www.link4life.org/touchstones The Esplanade,

Rochdale, OL16 1AQ

01706 924492

Link4Life is the trading name of Rochdale Boroughwide Cultural Trust. Registered Charity No: 1118610

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Bus Station

A671 from Royton and

Oldham

A640from

Milnrow and

J21 - M62

A58 from Sandbrook Park and J20 - M62

From Bury and Bolton

A680 from Blackburn

A671 from Burnley

A58 from Halifax

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Train Station

Where to find us

• Art Gallery • Museum • Local Studies Centre • Visitor Information Centre •• Events Programme • Education Service • Shop • Café •

This information is available in large print on request.

Access

Touchstones Rochdale is fully accessible for people using wheelchairs. There are three designated parking bays for blue badge holders outside the centre.

Travel Information

Touchstones Rochdale is located close to Rochdale town centre approximately 5 to 10 minutes walk from Rochdale Transport Interchange with bus and tram access and 10 minutes from the Rochdale Railway Station. We are 10 minutes drive from J20-M62. Cycle parking is available outside the Centre with Pay & Display car parking available close by.

Contact Information

Main Reception: 01706 924492

Visitor Information Centre: 01706 924928

Email: touchstones@link4life.org

Online: www.link4life.org/touchstones

Opening Times

Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm

Christmas hours: Closing at 3pm on Weds 24 and Weds 31 Dec and all day on 25-29 Dec and 1 Jan.

FREE Admission

Café Life, run by Pure Innovations, is open Tuesday to Saturday 10am-4pm.

Follow us on: Facebook (Touchstones Rochdale), Twitter (@Touchstones), Instagram (Touchstones_Rochdale) and Pinterest (Touchstones Rochdale).

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