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Community Voices

A series of displays showcasing responses to The MERL's collections
June 23 - September 8

Details

Start:
June 23
End:
September 8
Time:
Museum opening hours
Cost:
Free
Event Category:

Venue

The Museum of English Rural Life
The Museum of English Rural Life, Redlands Road
Reading, Berkshire RG1 5EX United Kingdom + Google Map
Child drawing from a picture of a vardo in pencil

The MERL partners with many local community organisations using its collections to inspire creative projects which bring people together to promote well-being. The ‘Community Voices’ displays showcase the wonderful creative and thought-provoking responses to themes and stories within The MERL collections by participants in amazing projects throughout the year. 

Sew What?

until 1st September ’24

For details of the current Sew What? display, click here

Roots and Routes

Works created by two local schools to celebrate GRT History Month.

23rd June – 8th September ’24

Additional information

  • Admission free.
  • No booking required

Plan your visit here 

Previous displays

Curating for Change: Extra.Ordinary – October 2022 

This exhibition, curated by Curating for Change Trainee, Verity Shillabeer, explores and celebrates the identity and culture of disability through the MERL collections. View the exhibition in person or online.

Creative Communities during Covid-19 – to January 2023

Creative reflections on the pandemic experiences of Reading’s local communities with Rising Sun Arts Centre.

Play Through Time – August to October ’23

How and why do children play? This exhibition was created in partnership with Year 7 students from the Nurture Group at The Langley Academy, part of The Arbib Education Trust. The exhibition used the Trust’s Childhood Collection to explore how our understanding of what play means has changed over time.

Find out more about Museum Learning and the Trust at  arbibeducationtrust.org or on Twitter: @MuseumLearning

Hear our Voice in the Countryside – 7th November to 5th February ’24

Reading Mencap’s ‘Hear our Voice’ group meet weekly at The MERL and this exhibition was curated by them. The exhibition told stories of members’ experiences of the countryside and included museum objects chosen by the group.

Folklore and Magic – 19th February to 23rd June ’24 (Community Case and Staircase Hall)

This exhibition was a captivating exploration of the enduring legacy of folklore and magic using the MERL collections, University of Reading’s Art Collection, Special Collections, Herbarium and Ure Museum of Greek Archaeology. Designed by third-year Museum Studies students at the University of Reading and in collaboration with community partners.