A family friendly celebration of our area's geology, and how it can inspire us and shape our lives.

Find out about wavellite and investigate Devonian fossils with our video microscope. Have a closer look at North Devon's clays and pigments, including Bideford Black. Learn about how our rocks have shaped our towns and villages.

You can even practice climbing!

In collaboration with Appledore Arts and the North Devon Coast & Countryside Service.

An exhibition of family activities and artworks from the Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery, Exeter.

On display will be 18th - 20th century depictions of castles in the south west.

Hands-on activities will help you learn all about Devon's castles and how to defend them!
 

An opportunity to see Exeter Museum's fine collection of North Devon Harvest Jugs, and a fresh look at the work of the Fishley family of potters over the last 200 years.

An exhibition in collaboration with the Long Room Gallery, Winchcombe.

Harvesting was thirsty work, and many men would take cider or other drink to the field in a bottle or jug.  At harvest home, it was customary for most farmers to give their labourers a harvest supper with plenty of drink, so jugs were needed for the table.

In Devon potters could be sure of selling drinking vessels and they made special orders for farmers.  Treasured in their families, many have survived. The making of such 'personalized' jugs may have begun in the 17th century, and by the early years of the 18th the old motifs had been discarded in favour of prancing unicorns, hunting scenes, leaves and flowers and rhymes about 'good ale' or beare'.

They were mainly yellow glazed using lead-ore, with sgraffito desins and mottoes that often celebrated drink or featured doggerel rhymes - irregular verse.

Selected entries from our ever popular competition for both experienced and budding photographers, aiming to capture the essence of northern Devon.

The aim of the show is to provide a showcase for some of the freshest art from and inspired by northern Devon.  Come and view some stunning pieces of work by selected local artists.
 
Their work will be showcased at the Queen's Theatre, in Barnstaple's Boutport Street in conjunction with North Devon Theatres Trust, and at the Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon, situated in Barnstaple's newly refurbished Square.

Here is a list of last year's (2008) winners chosen by a panel of representatives from North Devon Arts, North Devon College HE Art Department, North Devon Theatres Trust and The Museum of Barnstaple & North Devon.

Nicola Brown - textile
Maggie Davies - painting
Linda Gadd - sculpture
Suzanne Hobbs - installation
Duncan Hopkins - painting
Barry Hughes - sculpture
Mark Jay - painting
Janet Jopson - batik
Keiron Leach - painting
Polly Pocock - installation
Chris Taylor - ceramics
Peter Ward - painting

The Seventh North Devon Open Art Show opens on the 17th January 2009.
Admission Free