The University of Lincoln will celebrate the 150th anniversary of its oldest predecessor institution with a free public exhibition at The Usher Gallery, where historic works from the Lincoln School of Art will be brought together in a comprehensive showcase for the first time.

Past and Present: A Celebration of the 150th Anniversary of the Lincoln School of Art, curated by Dawn Heywood and Andrea Martin, will be open to the public from Saturday 16th March and will run throughout the summer. It will chart the historic development of the School and its alumni, and will display artwork dating back to its inception in the nineteenth century.

The Lincoln School of Art opened its doors in 1863, and 150 years later it is an intrinsic part of the University of Lincoln. Lincoln alumni have made a significant contribution to the art world over the decades, and the exhibition will mark one and a half centuries of artistic heritage in the city by celebrating their international success.

Amongst the school’s alumni, many have gone on to exhibit their work as members of the Royal Academy, and at acclaimed venues such as the Paris Salon, Mercury Gallery and even the Bolshoi Ballet. Notable nineteenth and twentieth century graduates include the prolific English landscape, portrait, and genre painter William Logsdail, and internationally renowned artist William T Warrener, who excelled in the Parisian post-impressionist scene.

Artwork on show at the exhibition will also include paintings, artwork and sculptures from post-impressionist genre painter Frank Bramley, and the more recently celebrated local artist Peter Moss, who is a Fellow of the Society of Designer Craftsmen, Ceramic Artists and Arts.

Dr Alec Shepley, Head of School of Art and Design at the University of Lincoln, said: “We are delighted to be able to commemorate 150 years of art provision in the city of Lincoln, and this exhibition is the second in a series of events to mark the work and achievements of our staff, undergraduate and postgraduate students and alumni.

“Lincoln School of Art and Design, as part of the University of Lincoln, continues to make a significant contribution to the cultural activity and wellbeing of the city and the wider region, with many of our graduates going on to achieve great success.”

“Increasingly the Lincoln School of Art and Design is becoming recognised as an international centre of excellence and all our students can benefit from our networks and projects with a number of national and international partners. This anniversary coincides nicely with our move later on in the year to our new building on the Brayford campus, which is another significant step in our history.”

Story credits:

Elizabeth Mitchell – PR Officer
E-mail: emitchell@lincoln.ac.uk
Telephone: 01522 837650