Swindon museums and art gallery team up to celebrate Coate Water's 200th anniversary

By Jessica Durston - 9 August 2022

CommunityHeritage
  • Frank William Salvage ‘A View of Coate Water, Swindon, Wiltshire’, 1974, Oil on Canvas, Swindon Museum and Art Gallery, copyright of the Estate of Frank William Salvage

    Frank William Salvage ‘A View of Coate Water, Swindon, Wiltshire’, 1974, Oil on Canvas, Swindon Museum and Art Gallery, copyright of the Estate of Frank William Salvage

In celebration of Coate Water’s 200 year anniversary, Swindon Museum and Art Gallery has loaned a selection of artwork to display at the Richard Jefferies Museum.

The artwork in question is facilitated through the Art on Tour programme, which makes Swindon’s art collection accessible through partnerships across the Borough.

The exhibition, Coate 200, will show artworks inspired by Coate Water, including George Reason’s painting ‘The Polluted Lake’, and a new acquisition depicting Coate Farm in 1902. 

These join paintings by Kate Tryon which are on long-term loan to Richard Jefferies Museum from Swindon Museum & Art Gallery. Tryon was an American artist who made several trips to Swindon in the early 1900s to paint 'Jefferies’ Land.'

An outdoor pop-up exhibition and free drop-in drawing activities will visit Coate Water on 14 August from 10am-4pm.

People are also invited to view the Coate 200 exhibition at the Richard Jefferies Museum, whilst enjoying live folk music.

Cllr Matty Courtliff, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture, Heritage, Leisure and Town Centre Experience, said: “It will be great to see lots of families visiting Richard Jefferies Museum and exploring Coate Water over the summer holidays. The Coate 200 exhibition and activities will allow everybody to get involved in the 200 year celebrations and learn more about the history of Coate.”

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