October 2010 - March 2011Exhibitions, Events and Activities

at the Museum of Croydon

What’s On

DRAGON TALESBringing Chinese myths

to life for children

WE ENGLISHA photographic journey

BEYOND SKINTattoos and body art

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Welcome So what’s going on this season at theMuseum of Croydon? Probably a lot more than you thought!We’ve lined up an exciting programme of exhibitions, talks and creative workshops for all ages and interests. We look forward to seeing you soon.

Exhibition Gallery Visit this gallery for changing exhibitionsabout Croydon and beyond. See pg 4-5 for more on this season’s themes, including‘Treasures from Trash’ and local-born photographer Simon Roberts’ ‘We English’.

Riesco Gallery Be dazzled by the Riesco Collection ofChinese Ceramics, now displayed alongsidestunning loans from the British Museum.New hands-on activities for young childrenand a programme of events for all ages andinterests help you re-discover this remarkablecollection. See pg 3 for this season’s highlight ‘Dragon Tales’.

Space C Check out our programme of exhibitionsfrom local community groups and artists.See pg 6 for what’s on this season.

Café Gallery Relax over a cuppa and a slice of cake, whileenjoying art and photography by local artistson the walls. See pg 5 for what’s on.

Museum of Croydon Discover Croydon’s history since 1800 byvisiting our permanent collection. Each objectyou see was given to us by a local personand comes with a story revealed through thetouch-screen computers.

If you want to stay tuned in with what’s happening in Croydon, check out CroydonNOW. It features projects we run with localpeople and is updated every 3 months.

Croydon Archives Research the history of your family, house orlocal area through our fascinating collections,research materials and displays. For what’son this season, see pg 6 for informationabout ‘Over our Skies: Battle of Britain’.

Activities RoomEngage with our events programme which islinked to our collections and exhibitions.From creative workshops for children (pg 6)and young people (pg 7), to specialist talksfor adults (pg 8), there’s something for allages and interests.

Join our mailing listTo be the first to hear about new exhibitions and events email: museum@croydon.gov.uk to get our e-newsletter.

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Treasures from Trash26 June - 30 October 2010Exhibition GalleryFree family - friendly exhibition

‘Treasures from Trash’ is an interactive family-friendlyexhibition that explores creative recycling fromaround the globe. Every object on display used tobe something else. From a stove to a handbag, tyre buckets to toys, this exhibition shows how communities around the world make inventive, creative use of what we throw away. It also looks at how we can recycle more on our own doorstep in Croydon.

Throughout the exhibition families can play games,test their memory skills, explore the book corner andhave a go at making their own cup to take away!

‘Lady carrying firewood’ © Eifion Sven-Myer, Platform2.Platform2 is funded by UKAid from the Department ofInternational Development, and run by Christian Aid and BUNAC.

Change your WorldViviane Williams6 September - 1 November 2010Café GalleryPhotographs from the developing world

The photographs in this exhibition were all takenby amateur photographers, during their time onthe government funded volunteering programme,Platform2, in countries including Ghana, Peru,South Africa, India and Nepal.

The exhibition, which has been touring the country,aims to highlight issues such as climate change,aid and sustainability, faced by millions of peoplein the developing world. It features the bestimages taken by volunteers since Platform2launched in May 2008.

Over Our Skies18 September 2010 - 6 January 2011Museum of Croydon and Croydon ArchivesRemembering Croydon’s role in World War II

‘Croydon’s Battle of Britain’ To commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Battle ofBritain, visitors can discover the history of Croydon’svital role. The exhibition uses archive material and people’s memories to explore the importance ofCroydon and Kenley airports, as well as the effect the battle had on local people.

‘Croydon’s Blitz’ This exhibition explores experiences of childhood forCroydon residents during the Blitz. It also showcaseswork done by the Croydon Youth Theatre Organisation,who, in collaboration with the Museum of Croydon,produced short plays inspired by these memories.

Dragon Tales9 October - 31 December 2010Riesco GalleryHands-on fun for children and their grown-ups

Combining hands-on activities with stunning depictions of dragons in Chinese and world mythology, this exhibition explores the stories toldabout these fantastic beasts. With stunning loansfrom the British Museum, alongside the Museum of Croydon’s own exceptional collection of Chineseceramics, ‘Dragon Tales’ will bring young childrenface to face with centuries-old objects and paintingsof dragons, and encourage them to discover morethrough dragon-themed play.

Last chance to see

Supported by the London Museums Hub and the British Museum Partnership UK

Exhibitions Programme

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‘We English’18 November 2010 - 26 February 2011Exhibition GalleryA powerful reflection of England

This exhibition showcases work by Croydon bornaward-winning photographer Simon Roberts. ‘WeEnglish’ is the result of Simon’s journey around thecountry documenting the landscape.

Informed by the photography of his predecessors,including Martin Parr, and by the romantic traditionof English landscape painting, Roberts depicts ordinary people at leisure, congregating for a common purpose and shared experience.

Here Be Dragons9 October 2010 - 6 January 2011Space C Dragons made by the local community

To compliment the exciting new display in the RiescoGallery, come and see some Chinese sculptures, asmade by the people of Croydon in collaboration withSameSky Community Arts Group.

Croydon at Leisure1 November 2010 - 3 January 2011Café GalleryPhotographs from the archives

To accompany his ‘We English’ exhibition,renowned photographer Simon Roberts has chosen images from Croydon’s Archives, exploring themes around Croydon at leisure.

‘I Am Here’13 January - 9 April 2011Museum of CroydonExploring youth identity in Croydon

See how young people from across Croydon havecome together to explore the theme of youthidentity. ‘I Am Here’ is part of Stories of the Worldone of the major projects at the heart of theLondon 2012 Cultural Olympiad.

Beyond Skin13 January - 9 April 2011Space C An exhibition created by young Croydonians

This exhibition looks at how youth cultures inCroydon express themselves through body art.‘Beyond Skin’ is part of Stories of the World oneof the major projects at the heart of the London2012 Cultural Olympiad.

Croydon on Film 26 March 2011Exhibition Gallery

A two-part exhibition exploring the history of film in Croydon, covering both film makers andfilms shot on location.

Revisit the exhibition in June when you can watchfilms by contemporary Croydon film makers.

Coming soon

Blackpool tram © Simon Roberts

Rex studios

Photograph © Emma Wood

Croydon Summer Festival, © Simon Roberts

Purley recreation grounds

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The tale of Lao Lao of Dragon MountainWednesday 27 October 201010.30am, 11.45am and lasts 45 minutesClocktower Court Enjoy this enthralling story as told by professionalauthor and storyteller Margaret Bateson-Hill. Do stay on afterwards for a fun paper-cutting activity.

Animals of the zodiacSaturday 5 February 201110.30am - 11.45am Clocktower Court If your child loves animal stories they will enjoythese tales in honour of the Chinese New Year.2011 is Year of the Rabbit so you’ll hear some traditional stories about bunnies and other animals of the zodiac.

Sewlutions Level 3 - advancedThursday 14 October 20106.30pm - 8.30pm£5 or £3 concessionsLearn advanced sewing techniques, such asturning a dress into a top or adding length toclothes. Please bring an item to work on.

PhotographyTwo parts: Thursday 11 November 2010 andThursday 25 November 2010 6.30pm - 8.30pm£10 for two sessions or £6 concessionsYou’ll be exploring photographic techniques andspecial effects with professional photographerDavid Wood. He’s back by popular demand.

Please bring your own camera with you (even ifit’s a camera phone) plus any cables you need toconnect it to a laptop. You must book and cometo both sessions.

Chinese calligraphyWednesday 3 November 20106.30pm - 8.30pm£5 or £3 concessions Join Wendy Lau for an introduction to calligraphywith a special late opening of the Riesco Gallery.All materials provided.

Creative writingMonday 7 February 201111am - 1pm and 2pm - 4pm£5 or £3 concessionsDiscover ways to start or develop your own writing by taking inspiration from the ‘We English’photography exhibition (see pg 4 for more on thisexhibition). The workshop will be led by an OpenUniversity lecturer.

Songs, games and stories: 4 sessions3 November 2010, 1 December 2010, 2 February2011, 2 March 201110.30am, 11.15am and 12pm

Riesco GalleryJoin Iggy the Iguana and Loong the Chinese dragon forsongs, games andactivities. This event is held on the firstWednesday of everymonth except Octoberand January.

Bring your pre-schooler to one of these free storytelling sessions. They last from 30- 45 minutes and are free so there is no need to book.

Arts workshopsWhy not come along to an arts and crafts workshop? They will all be held in the ActivitiesRoom. Tickets bookable in advance from the box office.

Storytelling for under 5s

Talks and workshops for adults and young people

Dragon Tales LaunchSaturday 9 Oct 2010

Our series of dragon-themed craft workshopsand displays will keep you and your childrenamused for the day. Make sure you get to lookround the Dragon Tales exhibition in the RiescoGallery.

Arts & crafts11am -1pm and 2pm - 4pmAge range: 5-11Activities RoomMake a dragon toy, a dragon bag, or decorate a ribbon to dance with.

Ribbons in the air - a Chinese dance display11.15am - 11.45am and 1.15pm - 1.45pmClocktower Court Ribbon dancing-usingswirling multicoloured silk ribbons-has beenpracticed for thousands ofyears in China. ProfessionalChinese dancer Sin-ManYue will give you a displayand then teach you a few simple moves.

Conversations with a dragon10.30am, 11.30am, 1pm (lasts 15 mins)Riesco Gallery / Activities RoomMeet Rodney a 5ft tall walking, talking dragonwho loves meeting children and is very friendly.

Workshops for childrenDrop in to one of our free craft workshops. Choose from a morning or an afternoon session.All workshops run from 11am-1pm and 2pm-4pmin the Activities Room. Booking is not required.

Dragons alive! Wednesday 27 October 2010Make a toy inspired by dragons in the RiescoCollection.

Framing experiencesThursday 28 October 2010Make a beautiful recycled material picture frame.

Rabbit days! Saturday 5 February 2011Make yourself a rabbit hat-in honour of ChineseNew Year on 3 February.

Dragon modelling Wednesday 23 February 2011Make a dragon out of an egg box to bring yourhome good luck.

Make a beautiful boxThursday 24 February 2011Create a box inspired by the beautiful ceramics inthe Riesco Gallery.

Family-friendly events and workshopsWe run storytelling sessions and craft workshops for children. This season takes its inspiration from the Chinese artworks in the Riesco Gallery. All these family - friendlyevents are free of charge.

Events

Other events1940s Clocktower tourSaturday 16 October 2010 10.30am, 11.30am 2pm, 3pm - Free but book in advance at the box officeMuseum of Croydon The tour highlights the Clocktower’s role in WorldWar II and is led by an actor playing Chief LibrarianBerwick Sayers, who worked here at the time.

Dragon Tales storytellingTuesday 26 October 201010.30am, 11.20am and 12pm (lasts 30 mins)Clocktower Court Enjoy these engaging stories about dragons from around the world.

October 2010Sat 9 ‘Dragon Tales’ exhibition opens 11am families free pg 3

Sat 9 Various dragon-related craft workshops from 11am families free pg 6

Sat 9 Chinese ribbon dance display 11.15am & 1.15pm families free pg 6

Sat 9 ‘Here Be Dragons’ exhibition opens 10.30am everyone free pg 4

Sat 9 Conversations with a dragon 10.30am, 11.30am & 1pm children free pg 4

Thu 14 Sewlutions advanced sewing workshop 6.30pm adults/young people £5-£3 pg 7

Sat 16 1940s Clocktower tour 10.30am, 11.30am, 2pm & 3pm families free pg 6

Tue 26 Dragon storytelling 10.30am, 11.20am & 12pm families free pg 6

Wed 27 Storytelling: Lao Lao of Dragon Mountain 10.30am & 11.45am under 5s free pg 7

Wed 27 Dragon toy-making workshop 11am & 2pm families free pg 6

Thu 28 Photo frame-making workshop 11am & 2pm families free pg 6

November 2010

Mon 1 ‘Croydon at Leisure’ exhibition opens 9.30am adults/young people free pg 4

Wed 3 Songs, games and stories 10.30am, 11.15am & 12pm under 5s free pg 7

Wed 3 Chinese calligraphy workshop 6.30pm adults/young people £5/£3 pg 7

Tue 9 Talk: Croydon’s greatest collector 2.30pm adults/young people free pg 8

Thu 11 Photography workshop: part 1 6.30pm adults/young people £10/£6 pg 7for 2 sessions

Thu 18 ‘We English’ photography exhibition opens 11.00am adults/young people free pg 4

Mon 22 Talk: A dragon from Helmand 6.30pm adults/young people free pg 8

Thu 25 Photography workshop: part 2 6.30pm adults/young people £10/£6 pg 7for 2 sessions

December 2010

Wed 1 Songs, games and stories 10.30am, 11.15am & 12pm under 5s free pg 7

Tue 7 Talk: Ancient China 2.30pm adults/young people free pg 8

Thu 9 Talk: Imperial dragons 6.30pm adults/young people free pg 8

January 2011

Thu 13 ‘I am Here’ exhibition opens 10.30am adults/young people free pg 5

Thu 13 ‘Beyond Skin’ exhibition opens 10.30am adults/young people free pg 5

February 2011

Tue 1 Talk: Simon Roberts on his photography 2.30pm adults/young people free pg 7

Wed 2 Songs, games and stories 10.30am, 11.15am & 12pm under 5s free pg 7

Sat 5 Chinese storytelling: Zodiac animals 10.30am, 11.20am & 12.10pm under 5s free pg 7

Sat 5 Rabbit hat-making workshop 11am & 2pm families free pg 6

Mon 7 Creative writing workshop 11am & 2pm adults/young people £5/ £3 pg 7

Wed 23 Dragon modelling 11am & 2pm families free pg 6

Thu 24 Beautiful box making workshop 11am & 2pm families free pg 6

March 2011

Wed 2 Songs, games and stories 10.30am, 11.15am & 12pm under 5s free pg 7

Sat 26 ‘Croydon on film’ exhibition opens 11am adults/young people free pg 58

What’s on: at a glanceFree expert talksJoin us at one of our series of free talks giving you deeper insights into the themes covered by our exhibitions. All events are free and you can book your ticket in advancefrom the box office.

Croydon’s greatest collectorTuesday 9 November 20102.30pm - 4pmActivities RoomLearn about RaymondRiesco, the Chineseceramics enthusiastwho donated hisimpressive collection tous. Our Collections andLearning ManagerGeorgina Young will leadthis illustrated talk.

Ancient China: recent archaeological discoveriesTuesday 7 December 20102.30pm - 4pmActivities RoomA British Museum expert shares this update on the recent archaeological finds in China.Curator of the Chinese Collections Sascha Priewe will be your guide.

Imperial dragonsThursday 9 December6.30pm - 8pmActivities RoomFor an inside take on how dragons were depicted in the Chinese Imperial Court, join us for this talk. Your guide will be Angela Mcateer,Chinese art specialist from fine art auctioneersBonhams. The Riesco Gallery will be open late so you can see the Dragon Tales exhibition. See pg 7 for more on that.

A Dragon from HelmandMonday 22 December 20106.30pm - 8pmActivities RoomJoin the British Museum’s Middle East curator for insights into the ancient culture ofAfghanistan. St John Simpson has excavatedextensively in the Middle East and Central Asia,including sites from prehistoric to recent times.The talk includes a special late night opening of the Riesco Gallery until 7.30pm.

A photographer’s lifeTuesday 1 February 20102.30pm - 4pmActivities RoomCroydon-born photographer Simon Roberts talks about his career, influences and workingstyle. The talk ends with an optional guided tourof his exhibition, ‘We English’. See pg 4 for moreon this exhibition.

Booking adviceMany of our events are drop-in and places are allocated on a first come basis. For events that ask you to pay or book in advance, you can book through the box office:

By phone: 020 8253 1030 (Monday - Saturday 10am - 7pm, Tuesday 10am - 5.30pm) In person: The ticket office is situated in the Arts Bar on the first floor (Monday - Saturday 10am - 8.30pm, Tuesday 10am - 5.30pm).

Countryside © Simon Roberts

Café Gallery (Ground Floor) Open Monday-Saturday, 9.30am - 5.30pm. Closed Sundays and Bank Holidays.

Riesco Gallery (Ground Floor) Open Monday-Saturday, 11am - 5pm. Closed Sundays and Bank Holidays.

Croydon Archives and Local Studies Library (Third Floor) Open Monday 9am - 7pm, Wednesday 9am - 6pm, Saturdays 9am - 5pm (1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month only).

There’s lots happening at the Museum of Croydon. You can take in some art, learn about your roots, listen to a story, join aworkshop or see work by local, national and international artists.

Museum of Croydon Croydon Clocktower, Katharine Street, Croydon, CR9 1ET

Tel: 020 82531025 Email: museum@croydon.gov.uk

AccessCafe facilities are available on the ground floorThere is ramped access through the libraryentrance and lifts to the first floor. There areaccessible toilets on the ground and first floors.Baby changing facilities are available.

Where are we?We’re 10 minutes from East and West Croydonrail and bus stations and just 3 minutes fromGeorge Street Tramlink stop. The nearest carparks are Surrey Street (off Charles Street),Fairfield (off Barclay Road) and St Georges Walk(off Katharine Street).Visit www.tfl.gov.uk anddiscover how easy it is by public transport.

Museum of Croydon (First Floor) Open Monday-Saturday, 10.30am - 5pm. Closed Sundays and Bank Holidays.

Exhibition Gallery (Ground Floor)Open Monday-Saturday, 11am - 5pm. Closed Sundays and Bank Holidays.

Activities Room (Ground Floor) Open Monday-Saturday, 11am - 5pm. Closed Sundays and Bank Holidays.

Space C (Ground Floor)Open Monday-Saturday, 10.30am - 5pm. Closed Sundays and Bank Holidays.

www.museumofcroydon.com