What to SEA at Aberdeen Archives, Gallery & Museums...
Spring is in full swing! The sun is shining, the daffodils have bloomed and Aberdeen Archives, Gallery and Museums have another jam packed programme of concerts, talks and events for May. Highlights for this month include a Lunchbreak Concert with the ever popular Joseph Long, a Lunchtime Talk exploring the The Port of Aberdeen archives as well as an opportunity to try hand-embroidery technique, blanket stitch, at our workshop Exploring Blanket Stitch.
In the meantime, it’s all go as we prepare for the opening of our newest exhibition, Monsters of the Deep: Science Fact or Fiction, at the Art Gallery on 17 May. Join us to explore the deep sea and learn about what really lurks beneath the waves! Tickets are on sale now!
Exhibitions and displays
Monsters of the Deep: Science Fact or Fiction
Opening 17 May
Art Gallery (bp Special Exhibition Galleries)
£10 adults / £7 concessions / £14 exhibition pass
Children aged 12 and under free
Get ready to discover monsters!
Legend, myth and modern-day science combine in Monsters of the Deep - a journey from the medieval mind to the modern-day mysteries of the ocean. This summer, take a deep breath and plunge down into the dark murky depths as we seek to explore the unexplained.
Discover centuries-old myths and legends represented in medieval maps such as the Carta marina with its vividly-illustrated sea monsters, and the shapeshifting Selkies of Scottish folklore. Find out how stories of strange appearances and unexplained sightings continue to capture imaginations, fuelled by fake news and conspiracy theories, and surviving in science fiction books, comics and movies like Creature from the Black Lagoon and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.
From a terrifying Feegee mermaid to the spindly legs of a giant Japanese spider crab, there are lots of strange and wonderful things to see in Monsters of the Deep. Come face to face with the skull of a terrifying killer whale, marvel at the double-tusked skull of a narwhal and the tooth of an extinct megalodon. Examine eerie deep-sea specimens and see some of the technological tools scientists use today to explore the bottom of the ocean – then you decide what lies beneath.
Aberdeen Artists Society: Process, Process, Process
Until 25 May
Art Gallery (G16)
Free
Where do you get your ideas from? How did you make that? What kind of tools do you use? Members of Aberdeen Artists Society provide glimpses into the often-hidden worlds of artists at work, sharing where they find inspiration and creative fulfilment.
'Process, Process, Process' turns the traditional format of an exhibition on its head. Instead of finished works being centre stage, the exhibition shines a light on inspirational objects, preparatory sketches, cherished tools and work surfaces, as well as the by-products and leftover materials from an artist’s activities. We invite you to find out more about the artists and their finished works online via QR codes shared in the exhibition.
Presented in association with Aberdeen Artists Society.
Tales from the Tall Ships
From 22 March
Aberdeen Maritime Museum
Free
The spectacular Tall Ships Races will visit Aberdeen for four days in July as part of this major international sailing event. The ships dock in Aberdeen from 19 to 22 July following a 430-mile nautical mile trip from Dunkirk. To celebrate the arrival of the fleet, this exhibition of paintings, ship models and photography highlights some of Aberdeen’s historic and cultural ties to these iconic, fast-sailing vessels, from shipyard construction to racing and competition.
Listen at lunchtime!
Lunchbreak Concerts
Thursdays, 12:45 (45 mins)
Art Gallery (Cowdray Hall)
Pay what you can to support our programme
Irene Watt is an Aberdeenshire-based harpist, singer, songwriter and composer. Irene explores traditional Scottish tunes, new arrangements and classical compositions in this Lunchbreak Concert.
Allow Aberdeen Folk Orchestra to take you on an eclectic exploration of folk / acoustic music from around the world. The concert features music both new and old, celebrating previously unheard tunes and well-known favourites.
15 May
Lunchbreak Concert: Joseph Long
Pre-concert talk: 12:00
Joseph presents the fourth instalment of his Chopin Masterworks series. This recital features the passionate and Beethovenian Third Scherzo, the expressive Mazurkas Op. 17, and the tremendously complex and intricately woven Fourth Ballade. This programme is part of a series presenting all four of Chopin's Ballades and Scherzi, highlighting the expressive range and innovative use of form in these celebrated works
Senior musicians from Meldrum Academy perform a varied programme of classical and contemporary music featuring piano, clarinet, percussion, voice and strings.
Aberdeen Gaelic Choir close our 2024/25 Lunchbreak Concert season with a programme of classical and contemporary Gaelic arrangements in four-part harmony.
Lunchtime Talks
Wednesdays, 12:30 (45 mins)
Pay what you can
7 May
Art Gallery (Seminar Room)
Lunchtime talk: A haven for history – The Port of Aberdeen archives
Talk by Phil Astley, Team Leader, Archives, Aberdeen Archives, Gallery & Museums
The Archives of the Port of Aberdeen (formerly Aberdeen Harbour Board) were transferred to Aberdeen City & Aberdeenshire Archives in 2019. The collection, spanning the years 1800 to 1960, comprises many fascinating types of records that together provide an insight to the harbour and its development in the pre-oil and gas era. As we look forward to the arrival of the Tall Ships Races this summer, Phil’s talk explores the highlights of this remarkable record, illustrated by some of the many thousands of images which are part of the collection.
21 May
Maritime Museum (Education Suite)
Lunchtime talk: Can law save the ocean?
Talk by Dr Mitchell Lennan, Lecturer in Environmental Law, University of Aberdeen
The ocean is vital for maintaining life on Earth – it contains rich and diverse life, regulates our climate, provides natural resources for the global economy and supports international trade by sea.
Mitchell looks at major pressures such as climate change, overfishing, pollution and poorly managed resource extraction and discusses the international legal framework for the governance of the world's ocean.
Events and Workshops
Baby Boogie
3 May, 10:30 – 12:00
Art Gallery (Cowdray Hall)
£8 (1 adult and 1 Child) / £15 (2 adults and up to 3 children)
Enjoy a fun-filled morning of popular music with DJ Nina in the Cowdray Hall at our monthly daytime disco for little ones and their adults! The café is open for coffees, cakes and juices to keep you well-fuelled and boogey-ing away.
Workshop: Exploring Blanket Stitch
10 May, 14:00 – 16:00
Art Gallery (Learning Space
£22 adult / £18 concession
Explore the versatile hand-embroidery technique of blanket stitching with Mary Buchan, which can be used to reinforce edges and for decoration. Starting with basic blanket stitch, you’ll stitch a rainbow in bright colours, before moving on to more elaborate variations using beads to make a fun piece of work that can be taken away and framed at home.
Talk: Artroom and 40 Years of Grampian Hospital Art Trust
24 May, 14:00 – 15:00
Art Gallery (Learning Space)
Grampian Hospital Art Trust is 40 this year and to celebrate the important anniversary and spotlight their partnership with AAGM this talk will introduce attendees to wonders of Artroom, a person centred arts workshops, and part of AAGM’s wellbeing programme, held every week in Aberdeen Art Gallery. This friendly community event supports people to explore their creativity, enjoy companionship and make social connections.
Speakers include Jo Hastie and Elaine Grant and will feature insights from a couple of regular Artroom workshop participants.
Look after you wellbeing!
Stitching with the UFOs
6 May, 13:30 – 15:30
Art Gallery (Learning Space)
Pay what you can
UFO stands for Unfinished Objects! Come along to this monthly stitchers’ meet up and take part in their latest project. Collectively, the group has created some incredible pieces of work in the past, including a panel for the Great Tapestry of Scotland and kneelers for Westminster Abbey. Join in with the group work or bring your own unfinished small craft project and use this session to meet new people.
Stitching the Tall Ships 2025 sampler
6, 13, 20 and 27 May, 13:30 – 15:30
Art Gallery (Gallery 3)
Members of Aberdeen Stitch & Textile Group and Unfinished Objects (UFO) group will be working in the Gallery on Tuesdays to create the Tall Ships 2025 Sampler. Designed by Heather King, it will commemorate the arrival of the fleet in Aberdeen in July. The finished piece will be on display in the Reading Between Lines exhibition of samplers from July.
Our Aberdeen
1 May, 14:00 – 15:30
Aberdeen Treasure Hub
Pay what you can
At your service
Explore objects from our collection that tell the story of Aberdeen's services including Police, Fire, Royal Mail, trams and buses.
Musical Memories
2, 16 and 30 May, 13:30 – 15:30
Art Gallery (Cowdray Hall)
Pay what you can
Musical Memories is a friendly singing group for people with dementia, their partners, families and friends. Established and delivered by a dedicated group of volunteers, these sessions support wellbeing and improve brain activity, encouraging creativity and participation.
The series is supported by Alzheimer Scotland.
Inspired Gallery Meets
16 May, 11:00 – 12:30
Art Gallery (Learning Space)
Pay what you can
String printing the natural world
Explore lines and curves with a fun string printing workshop led by mixed-media artist Natalie Easton. Drawing inspiration from the natural world learn how to design an image suitable for printing, consider how patterns can be repeated or rotated, and create an individual piece of art to take home. All materials will be provided, just make sure you don’t get tangled in too much string!
Artroom with GHAT
3, 10, 17, 24 and 31 May, 10:30 – 12:30
Art Gallery (Learning Space)
Pay what you can
We are delighted to partner with Grampian Hospitals Art Trust to bring Artroom to Aberdeen Art Gallery. Led by professional artists, these weekly sessions are person-centred and welcome adults of all abilities to experiment with art making in a variety of materials.
Support us and volunteer!
Are you interested in art and history? Share your ideas, experiences or just your time and make a real difference to Aberdeen Archives, Gallery & Museums.
Volunteers are involved throughout our Gallery and Museums and provide both public facing and behind-the-scenes support. Their commitment and dedication help us to research, interpret and care for our culturally important collection.
We welcome anyone who is over 18 and has the right to work in the UK as a volunteer. All we ask for is enthusiasm and an interest in the work of Aberdeen Archives, Gallery and Museums, our city, and its heritage.
Our volunteers work in collections care, event support, administration, visitor experience and on special projects. No experience is necessary as we provide training for each volunteer role, so you will always feel comfortable and confident when you volunteer with us.
Join our volunteer mailing list to receive regular emails about upcoming volunteer opportunities. Download our Volunteering Mailing Form and send your completed form to: aagmvolunteers@aberdeencity.gov.uk
To receive monthly Bulletin alerts from us please email info@aagm.co.uk.
