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The Lightbox celebrates its 10th birthday this September with host of events

4th September 2017

 

The Lightbox gallery and museum in Woking is thrilled to be celebrating its 10^th anniversary this September and it will be hosting a variety of special events to mark the occasion. Over the past 10 years The Lightbox has welcomed close to a million visitors and established itself as one of the leading cultural venues in the South East.

 

Throughout the month of September two anniversary-themed free exhibitions will be on show. A nostalgic photographic exhibition ‘A Decade Down: Many More to Go’ (2 September – 1 October) will share the photographic memories of The Lightbox with images of famous dignitaries, the construction and opening of the building, members of the public, existing and recent staff members, volunteers, popular exhibitions, important occasions and family fun. Regular visitors to The Lightbox may like to see if they can spot themselves in amongst the crowds! Outside the free local history museum ‘Woking Story’ there will be a heritage display ‘Kenwood in the Kitchen’ (22 August – 29 October). 2017 marks the 70^th anniversary of Ken Wood inventing the A100 Turnover Toaster in a Woking Goldsworth Road workshop and to celebrate this a blue plaque will be unveiled on this site in September. The Lightbox exhibition will compliment this honour by telling the story of Kenwood’s Woking roots alongside featuring classic examples of fondly-remembered Kenwood appliances.

 

On the 14 September, 10 years to the day that The Lightbox first opened its doors, Director of The Lightbox, Marilyn Scott, will give an Anniversary Lecture at 7.00pm. Marilyn led the team that successfully fundraised for the Lightbox to be built and has been the sole Director since the charity-run gallery and museum launched. In this talk she will reflect on what makes a successful arts and heritage venue in the current climate and will reveal her personal highlights of the last 10 years and give a teaser of what is to come in the future.

 

Marilyn said of the approaching anniversary, “The last ten years has seen The Lightbox go from unknown newcomer on the gallery and museum scene in the UK to now being recognised as one of the most exciting and innovative in the country. This would not have been possible without a fantastic staff, supportive local authority and above all immense local support and pride. We are looking forward to celebrating with everyone who has played their part in our success.”

 

The celebrations will culminate in a big birthday bash on Saturday 16 September as The Lightbox hosts a family-friendly 10^th Birthday Party. The festivities will take place from 10.30am – 5.00pm and all of the galleries will be free for one day only. The canal-side courtyard will be filled with vintage games and live music and the Friends of Woking Palace will bring alive the Tudor history of the area in ‘Woking’s Story’. Children and families can drop into a free ‘Butterflies and Bugs’ craft workshop from 1.30pm – 4.00pm, the creations from which will later be mounted as an art installation as a reminder of the anniversary. In the afternoon the Mayor of Woking, Cllr Graham Cundy, will cut a giant birthday cake to mark the milestone which will be shared amongst the party-goers.

 

More information about The Lightbox and the anniversary events can be found at thelightbox.org.uk. The Anniversary Lecture requires advance booking which can be done via the website or by calling 01483 737800. All other exhibitions and events mentioned are free with no pre-booking required.