Reclaiming Art and Craft
20 August - 16 October
Precious objects from precious resources – nothing in this exhibition is what you expect. Taking a highly innovative approach to contemporary craft, Hove Museum commissioned eight artists and makers to create new pieces, and ten to exhibit existing work. Precious is the result, showing high-end contemporary craft, produced from discarded materials considered worthless in a different context.
The pieces speak of art, and it is not always obvious how the materials started life. Waste paper and fabric are transformed, landscapes made from computer parts. Books, parts of furniture, drink cans are all reclaimed and re-made.

TRIP : Textiles Research in Process
An exhibition by the Textiles Research Group, School of the Arts, Loughborough University
20 August – 16 October
Using the common denominator of the ‘design process’, TRIP Exhibition will reveal how many and varied are the approaches to creativity and research in textiles.
Supported by the use of a digital show reel, each participating member of the Textiles Research Group (TRG) will demonstrate individual approaches to design through revealing research concepts and the process journeys that lead to textile outcomes. The exhibition provides a snapshot of practice based work that addresses ongoing research narratives within the TRG. Common to all of the work is an interest in the connections between craft, design and new technologies within textiles.
    
    
Janette Matthews
Sleeping Beauty
Restoring the Talleyrand Bed
17 September - 4 December
This project will restore an extravagant gilded four poster bed, conserving the ornate carved grey and gold frame and restoring the intricate hand woven silk hangings.
The Talleyrand Bed, a beautiful example of Louis XVI style furniture, was bought by the sixth Duke of Portland for the State Bedroom at Welbeck Abbey at the beginning of the 20th century, and once belonged to the Prince de Talleyrand. It was brought to Welbeck during the age of great Edwardian entertaining on country estates, and the bed was a key feature of the reception rooms at the Abbey. King Edward VII, the Sultan of Zanzibar and Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother are among the esteemed guests who have rested on the Talleyrand Bed.
read more

Years of naps, sweet dreams and restless nights had left the bed in a state of disrepair, slumbering in storage. Sleeping Beauty: Restoring the Talleyrand Bed will chart the process of restoring this spectacular piece of furniture to carefully rekindle its former glory and put it back into use at Welbeck Abbey.
Bridging science and craft, this project will bring together 9 highly specialist craftspeople - ecclesiastical weavers, mattress makers, joiners, gilders and even insect repellent specialists to ensure that the Talleyrand Bed will provide a beautiful, comforting welcome to guests at Welbeck Abbey for years to come.
The fully restored bed will be exhibited alongside the story of its conservation.Sleeping Beauty: Restoring the Talleyrand Bed is a must see for anyone with an interest in fine furniture, conservation and craft.
A talk with interior decorator and designer Fiona Wemyss, who has worked on redesigning the Welbeck Abbey Staterooms, will accompany the Talleyrand Bed Project.
Find out more about this talk     
    
The Talleyrand Bed
An English Perspective
20th Century British Art from Welbeck Abbey
29 October - 24 December
This winter, The Harley Gallery is delighted to be exhibiting the modern art collection from Welbeck Abbey. Collected over thirty years by William Parente, this is the first public exhibition of this collection of work by English artists.
William Parente's family have lived at Welbeck for over 400 years, and throughout this time have been committed collectors of fine and decorative arts, creating what are now known as The Portland Collections. Objects from this collection are displayed in The Harley Gallery Treasury. William continues his family's tradition, and has developed a very personal collection of artworks, many of which were commissioned from the artists.