October 12, 2016

On Saturday, October 22, the Burton Art Gallery and Museum is turning 65. For this special birthday, the Burton’s Friends are inviting anyone in the North Devon area, especially those who turn 65 this year, to join them for cake in the galleries.

The Friends have commissioned a special “artefact cake” to be baked, to symbolise an iconic piece of ceramic work that the Burton has exhibited, amongst its other 5000 objects and paintings.

There is already a 65th anniversary exhibition on display in one of the Burton’s galleries, of which all the items were chosen by staff, volunteers and the Friends.

The afternoon birthday celebration will begin at 2pm at the Burton, and those who are 65 this year are welcome to come and share their stories, memories and cultural knowledge of the area with the gallery’s staff and Friends.

Pam Biggs, the chair of the Burton Friends said: “We’re all very supportive of the work the Burton does, especially this year with the venue’s big milestone.

“We wanted to do something a bit different, to remind people that the Burton is for everyone in the community, and everyone is welcome to come here. So, if you have particular memories of coming to the gallery when you were little, or just fancy a chat and some cake to celebrate your own 65th milestone year, then please come along at 2pm.”

Established in 1951, when Thomas Burton and his philanthropist friend and artist, Hubert Coop, founded the gallery – which only became a charitable trust in April this year – the venue now has esteemed permanent collections of art and ceramics, a museum, two galleries, a separate craft gallery, café and shop.

As part of the celebration, there is a daily online “reveal” of all the 65 objects in the anniversary exhibition on facebook, and the anniversary collection itself will be on display until October 28.

The Burton is open 10-4 Mon to Sat and 11-4 on Sundays.

ENDS

Notes to editors

High-res images of all the 65 objects on display – and the Burton Gallery – are available on request.

Warren Collum, Collections and Exhibitions Officer, is available for interviews.