Folk for Folk Exhibition

Exhibition 23 March - 1 June April 2024

The Folk for Folk project has brought together members of Gloucester’s community groups, young people and artists with a team of creatives to develop exciting new art inspired by the National Waterways Museum Gloucester’s canal folk art collection.

In total more than 50 people are contributing to the project, with the finished works including textiles, paintings, sculpture, digital art and photography. The pieces will be on display at the National Waterways Museum Gloucester from 23 March to 1 June 2024.

In the same way that 19th century canal boat people used folk art to proudly enhance their environment and define their identities, the Folk for Folk project is creating folk art for the 21st century. The finished works explore subjects that are important to Gloucestershire’s diverse communities – from housing and living conditions to relationships, personal identity, families and friends.

The Folk for Folk team

The National Waterways Museum Gloucester is working with Gloucestershire Arts & Social Projects (GASP!) on Folk for Folk. GASP! has brought together five Gloucestershire-based young creatives to work with groups including Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children, Matson Makers and Art School Matson. Other groups at the University of Gloucestershire, Gloucestershire College and Creative Sustainability are also contributing.

Folk for Folk is funded by Arts Council England’s Unlocking Collections grant.

Folk art for families

There will be folk art activities available to families throughout the duration of the exhibition including a stamping activity to make your own folk art postcard.

Opening hours

The National Waterways Museum Gloucester is open 10am-4pm, Tuesday-Saturday. The Folk for Folk Exhibition is included with Museum admission and is on Level 2 of the building, accessible by lift.