Tate director opens Ditchling Museum of Art + Craft

Tate Director Sir Nicholas Serota came to Ditchling on Friday to formally open the newly re-vamped museum.
Reopening of Ditchling Museum of Art and Craft . Sir Nicholas Serota (Director, Tate), Hilary Williams (Director of MDAC), Adam Richards (Architect). Photo Steve RobardsReopening of Ditchling Museum of Art and Craft . Sir Nicholas Serota (Director, Tate), Hilary Williams (Director of MDAC), Adam Richards (Architect). Photo Steve Robards
Reopening of Ditchling Museum of Art and Craft . Sir Nicholas Serota (Director, Tate), Hilary Williams (Director of MDAC), Adam Richards (Architect). Photo Steve Robards

He is pictured (left) with architect Adam Richards and Hilary Williams, the director of Ditchling Museum of Art + Craft.

An 18th century cart lodge forms the entrance, café and shop, with new exhibition space joining onto the original Victorian building, which housed the museum collection before the revamp.

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The transformation has been achieved through a Heritage Lottery fund and generous donations.

Reopening of Ditchling Museum of Art and Craft . Sir Nicholas Serota (Director, Tate), Hilary Williams (Director of MDAC), Adam Richards (Architect). Photo Steve RobardsReopening of Ditchling Museum of Art and Craft . Sir Nicholas Serota (Director, Tate), Hilary Williams (Director of MDAC), Adam Richards (Architect). Photo Steve Robards
Reopening of Ditchling Museum of Art and Craft . Sir Nicholas Serota (Director, Tate), Hilary Williams (Director of MDAC), Adam Richards (Architect). Photo Steve Robards

The design, incorporating natural materials with vistas onto the open countryside, is a fitting tribute to some of the most influential artists and craftsmen of the early twentieth century who were drawn to Ditchling.

Some of the artists associated with the village, whose works are displayed in the museum, include Eric Gill, Dunstan Pruden, Joseph Cribb, Edward Johnston, David Jones, Ethel Mairet and Hilary Pepler.

We will be carrying a special feature on the museum in the Mid Sussex Times, published on Thursday, September 26.

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