A CONVERSATION WITH MARIA MCKINNEY
Meet Maria McKinney, the artist behind Sire., the new photographic and sculptural intervention in our galleries. Find out how her powerful visual commentary weaves together folk traditions, genetics, livestock, and fertility. Discover why The MERL and its ‘absolute units’ played an important role in her research processes. Join us for a colourful conversation set to […]
MARIA MCKINNEY: SIRE.
Sire. by Maria McKinney is an innovative exploration of the themes of selective breeding and genetics in contemporary cattle farming, directly informed by The MERL’s collections of livestock portraiture and straw craft. The exhibition consists of nine largescale photographic portraits, taken at an Irish stud farm, that depict bulls wearing eccentric, multi-coloured sculptures mounted on […]
CANCELLED: EARLY BIRDS: QUIET HOUR AT THE MERL
Early Birds: Quiet Hour at The MERL Early birds is a quieter hour which provides an atmosphere in which to explore the museum, sensitive to the needs of visitors with autistic spectrum or other communication and sensory conditions. The session takes place every first Sunday of the month from 10 – 11am, during our usual opening […]
TAKEOVER DAY
See the museum through the eyes of young people! Members of NCS (National Citizen Service) will be taking over The MERL digitally for a day! They will be creating exciting social media content inspired by our collections to appeal to their friends and peers. So watch out for their posts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and […]
THE CHICKEN AND THE EGG
This exhibition in the beautiful Staircase Hall celebrates the poultry related collections held at The MERL featuring items from the David Scrivener Collection (David was a well-respected author, poultry show judge and collector), and documents relating to the National Poultry Test and the Poultry Club of Great Britain. Read more about the collection in this […]
MUSEUM SHOP SUNDAY
It’s nearly Christmas and we’re celebrating with a few seasonal delights! Come along to our special ‘Museum Shop Sunday’ family Christmas shopping event on Sunday 25th November from 12pm and 4pm. Follow our free Christmas trail though the galleries, treat yourself to some nibbles*, enjoy our 50p raffle with lots of prizes, and take advantage […]
THE MERL FAMILY EVENT: AWESOME APPLES
CELEBRATE THE AUTUMN HARVEST AND HAVE FUN WITH APPLE-THEMED ACTIVITIES AND CRAFTS IN THE MERL GARDEN Sessions are suitable for families with children aged 3 – 11* and will include: Story corner Crafts: make apple creatures, apple printing onto apple shaped paper. Apple bobbing Press your own apples (please bring some with you along with a […]
THE OUTSIDE IN: BOOKABLE HALF TERM WORKSHOPS
A very special opportunity to work with Jelly artist, Julie Calce Bunker. In response to the Reading International exhibition of works by Steven Claydon at The MERL create your very own decorative mask or a grumpy face jug using recycled materials. Bookable half term workshops (choose one): Tuesday 23 October, 1.00 – 2.30pm: Make a Mask Thursday 25 October, 1.00 – 2.30pm: […]
PUBLIC LAUNCH: STEVEN CLAYDON – THE OUTSIDE IN AT THE MERL
Join us to preview and celebrate the launch of Steven Claydon’s new commission for The MERL and Reading International – The Outside In, which takes the form of a series of sculptural interventions in the Museum’s galleries. Meet the artist and guest curator, Steven Claydon, who will be at the launch to greet attendees. Drinks […]
STEVEN CLAYDON IN CONVERSATION
Internationally renowned artist Steven Claydon will join audiences in The MERL galleries to discuss his new commission and how it responds to the museum’s spaces and collections. Reading International is Reading’s new contemporary visual arts organization promoting and commissioning major solo exhibitions, group and thematic shows, and a programme of events including performances, film screenings, workshops, talks, offsite […]