The world-renowned Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition, which is developed and produced by the Natural History Museum in London, will open on 8 February at The Base, at Greenham Business Park near Newbury, as part of the venue’s launch programme.
Featuring exceptional images which capture fascinating animal behaviour, spectacular species and the breathtaking diversity of the natural world, Wildlife Photographer of the Year is the most prestigious photography event of its kind, providing a global platform that showcases the natural world’s most astonishing and challenging sights. Launching in 1965 and attracting 361 entries, today the competition receives more than 45,000 entries from 95 countries, highlighting its enduring appeal. This year’s 100 award-winning images will embark on an international tour that will allow them to be seen by over a million people.
Jan English, Head of Touring Exhibitions at the Natural History Museum, says ‘Wildlife Photographer of the Year celebrates the very best nature photography, and it is consistently one of our most successful touring exhibitions, enjoyed by millions every year. These images tell thought-provoking stories about our planet that prompt us all to think differently about the natural world and the future we want to create.’
Funded by Greenham Trust and supported by the Corn Exchange Newbury, The Base is the new home to visual arts for West Berkshire, situated at the new entrance for Greenham Business Park. As well as presenting high quality exhibitions, the building will also be home to eight of the finest artists and makers and will host an array of workshops and classes for all ages. Honesty Café will provide visitors to The Base with a tasty selection of local produce.
Corn Exchange Newbury director, Grant Brisland, said: ‘The Base will be a destination venue where local people have access to high quality national and international exhibitions on their doorstep. I was fortunate to see last year’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition and I’m proud this exhibition is launching an exciting new venue.’
Using the exhibition’s theme as a stimulus, there will be a series of classes and workshops that will allow participants to respond creatively with different art forms such as Experimental Drawing, Writing and Photography as well as talks on topics affecting the local area including Rewilding the UK: A Dramatic Solution and Greenham Common: The Return to a Wildlife Haven.
Other workshops and classes available include Make and Take Saturday Club, offering young people the opportunity to explore different art forms, Introduction to Character Illustrations for 7 to 11 year olds and a chance to get creative as a family with Creation Station. Plus there is wide array of workshops for adults includingArm Knitting, Book Binding, Brush Calligraphy, Cyanotype Printing, Water Colours and Pastels and Figure Drawing.
The Natural History Museum’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year Exhibition is at The Base from Friday 8 February – Sunday 28 April, 10am – 5pm. Advance tickets £9 (£7.50 concs, £6 under-16s, £7 groups of 10+, under-5s free). To book tickets please visit the Corn Exchange website, www.cornexchangenew.com or call the Box Office on 0845 5218 218 (calls cost 2p per minute plus your telephone company’s standard access charge).
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