How much do you know about Highfields Park?
This recreational area in Nottingham was once part of a larger estate and was owned at one time by Jesse Boot who set the foundations for the University of Nottingham. After Jesse Boot died in 1932, ownership of the park was taken over and was separated from the University.
Today, this Grade II listed park of 121 acres is owned by Nottingham City Council and has maintained its Green Flag Status this year.
What’s your favourite view within the park? One iconic view is that of the Trent Building, designed and built in the 1950s. This impressive University building dominates the skyline overlooking the large boating lake in the park.
Take a closer look and view the park in a new light by joining our Photography walk on Wednesday 10 November. Photographer Mervyn Mitchell will be guiding the walk and setting a range of tasks and challenges for you to try out to help you develop your photographic skills.
There are plenty of interesting points around the park to use as your inspiration and capture through photography. The different elements of water including the waterfall, stepping stones and lake, are a great place for spotting wildlife and capturing movement. The large green spaces consisting of exotic planting and beautiful trees are perfect for nature and wildlife shots. Other areas of interest such as The Lakeside Pavilion and Theatre, the various gateways into the park and the stone Lion sculptures that were gifted by Nottingham's sister City of Ningbo, are great architectural features.
Our photography walks are suitable for all levels of ability, all you need is something to take photographs with.
PHOTOGRAPHY WALK Wednesday 10 November, 11:00 - 13:00
Meeting point - outside the Lakeside Pavilion Café by the Lake
£5 participation fee
Highfields Park was once home to the largest lido in the country. Did you ever visit it?
The lido closed in 1981 and remained unused for almost 10 years. During this time, former University of Nottingham Vice-Chancellor, Sir Colin Campbell, set up an Arts Centre Appeal Committee to open an innovative new public art facility and visitor centre. The appeal had great success and the Djanogly Gallery was built.
The gallery opened in 1992 and continues to boast a nationally renowned exhibition programme ranging from historical shows to ground-breaking contemporary work.
JOIN US
We’ll be visiting Djanogly Art Gallery next Thursday 11 November. Why not join us for a guided walk-through of the current exhibition, Breaking The Mould: Sculpture by Women since 1945.
The work of fifty sculptors has been selected from the Arts Council collection to feature in the Breaking the Mould exhibition – the first major survey of post-war British Sculpture by women, and a redress to the many accounts of British sculpture where the work of women has remained unseen and erased from art history.
Previously considered a ‘male occupation’ a lot of the featured Artists have challenged this notion by exploring new materials, subjects and approaches within their work. Others have produced work specifically for the public domain or to feature in alternative spaces. Some of the Artists who feature in the exhibition include - Kim Lim, Barbara Hepworth, Anthea Hamilton, Jann Haworth, Cathy De Monchaux, Mary Kelly, Helen Chadwick, Rana Begum, and Holly Hendry. Breaking the Mould is part of the Arts Council Collection’s 75th anniversary celebrations and draws on the collection’s historical trajectory, from its founding in 1946 to the present day.
GALLERY WALKTHROUGH
Thursday 11 November, 14:00 - 15:00
Djanogly Art Gallery
Free
This walkthrough will be delivered by Neil Walker, Head of Visual Arts Programming at Djanogly Gallery, Lakeside Arts.
Our gallery walkthroughs are relaxed, informal and sociable. They are a great introduction to art and give you the opportunity to meet new people whilst exploring different exhibitions.