By Tom McGlynn
A NEW exhibition at Leeds City Museum is showcasing Britain’s changing seasons, just in time for the arrival of spring.
For All Seasons is a collection of seasonal fashion, natural history and everyday objects for each of the four seasons.
Natalie Haigh, 32, learning and access officer at the museum, said: “We have an exhibition curator who puts all of our exhibits together after planning them a few years in advance.
“She’s had a lot of fun working with different curators across Leeds’ museums and galleries to put For All Seasons together and we hope the public enjoy themselves here.
“The exhibit will be around throughout the Easter school holidays in April as well as most of the summer holidays, so there are lots of opportunities to see what we’ve got on display.”
Amongst the items on display are several paintings and art pieces that show the change in the seasons of Britain’s natural scenery and countryside, including models of people in the summertime.
As well as the artistic approach to the exhibition there is also a range of natural history objects on display, which feature various British animals including birds and small mammals.
Kate Shopland, 50, visitor assistant at Leeds City Museum, said: “For All Seasons is a fantastic, family-friendly exhibition with so much for kids and their parents to explore.
“There are two main themes, a natural history story with animals and a decorative story with art.
“When I was a child there were very distinct, definite seasons, which isn’t the case as much now, so we hope the exhibition might make people think deeper about seasonality in our country.”
For All Seasons can be explored now for free at Leeds City Museum near Millennium Square in the city centre.
What can be seen at the For All Seasons exhibit?
- A small selection of animals and nature that represent the changes in the seasons. These include a baby badger and a mountain hare whose fur changes colour as the climate changes.
- A range of summer and spring themed fashion items including dresses and shirts from past decades.
- Several paintings depicting the British countryside at different times of the year.
- The centrepiece of the exhibit, a large model tree which features visitor’s notes and drawings on the branches.
- The opportunity to take seasonal themed photos and selfies in the winter section of the exhibit.
- Various models and ornaments showing paintings and images of plants and animals present in the summertime, including baskets and crockery.