Hubert Dalwood - a return to Leeds

Picture caption: Hubert Dalwood Cloudy Tower, 1966, Unique, aluminium and wood courtesy of the Dalwood Estate/New Art Centre, Roche Court


The work of a prestigious and prize-winning British post-war sculptor is about to go on display at Leeds Art Gallery.

Hubert Dalwood was a rising young art star in the 1960s. Mainly working in bronze and aluminium his sculptures have been described as totems of a prehistoric age yet at the same time are rigorously modern.

An exhibition of his work Landscape into Sculpture presented by the New Art Centre, Roche Court takes place at Leeds Art Gallery from Sunday 17 October to Sunday 30 January 2011.

It will be something of a return as in 1955 Dalwood received a Gregory Fellowship at Leeds University – an award used to encourage the work of young artists.

For the fellowship he was interviewed by T.S. Eliot and also Henry Moore who later purchased one of his works.

Landscape into Sculpture is a exhibition of many works, including those from the artist’s estate and will be displayed in the upper sculpture galleries of Leeds Art Gallery

Leeds City Council’s principal keeper Catherine Hall said:

“This exhibition reveals Dalwood’s obvious fascination with materials and the processes of construction and creation.

“Here people have a fantastic opportunity to see Dalwood’s intriguing work and witness how it progressed through his career.”

Dalwood died prematurely in 1976 aged only 52 but left an important legacy of work behind.

The exhibition officially opens on Sunday 17 October with a talk by Chris Stephens head of displays at Tate Britain at 12.15pm.

Opening times are: Monday – Tuesday, Thursday – Saturday 10am - 5pm, Wednesday noon – 5pm and Sunday 1pm – 5pm.

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For media enquiries please contact: Daniel Johnson, leisure communications officer, tel: 0113 247 8285, email: Daniel.johnson1@leeds.gov.uk

Heroes and heroines exhibition workshops

Picture caption:one of millnary experts Claire Spooner's creations


An exhibition displaying some of Hollywood’s most famous clothing is offering an insight into the genius of the costume making process with a day of millinery.

As part of the Heroes and Heroines exhibition at Leeds City Museum, which features a range of famous costumes including Orlando Bloom’s Pirates of the Caribbean outfit and Madonna’s silk evening gown from Evita, a local milliner will be revealing the secrets of her trade during free workshops.

Saturday 16 October sees Claire Spooner giving live demonstrations of the skills and techniques used to create a show-stopping woman’s hat similar to those on display at the exhibition.

The 31-year-old learnt her trade while studying at Leeds College of Art and Design where she was highly praised for her outstanding work and now creates hats out of a studio in Pateley Bridge.

Expert milliner Claire Spooner said:

“I’m often asked where my inspiration comes from – the answer is the materials: I never draw anything, it all comes from handling beautiful, quality fabrics and using traditional techniques.”

As well as the workshops visitors will be able to see the incredible film costumes alongside real historical originals, including some from the Leeds museums’ collection, so visitors can see for themselves how accurate the big-screen versions look.

Leeds City Council’s head of museums and galleries John Roles said:

“This is a great opportunity to see what is an amazing exhibition and find out about some of the techniques that went in to the creation of the stunning costumes which are on display. Anyone interested in film or fashion is sure to love these special workshops and the fabulous exhibition.”

Heroes and Heroines is the latest special exhibition to come to Leeds City Museum located on the third floor of the museum off Millennium Square and ends Tuesday 9 January 2011.

The exhibition will be accompanied by a programme of talks, lectures and events which will appeal to everyone with a passion for fashion, film, costume and making clothes. For more information visit www.leeds.gov.uk/museumsandgalleries.

Notes to editor:

Heroes and Heroines will be open Tuesday, Wednesday and Fridays 10am – 5pm, Thursday 10am -7pm and Saturdays and Sundays 11am – 5pm.

Workshops are free and running at the following times 11.30am, 2pm and 3.30pm on Saturday 16 October. Admission charges apply to the Heroes and Heroines exhibition. Prices are: adult £2.50, under 16s, NUS and OAP £1.50, under 5s free, 20 per cent off for Leedscard and Breezecard holders.

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For media enquiries please contact: Daniel Johnson, leisure communications officer, tel: 0113 247 8285, email: Daniel.johnson1@leeds.gov.uk

Silver for Leeds in Britain in Bloom awards

The city of Leeds has scooped a prestigious Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Britain in Bloom silver gilt award.

It further confirms the high standard of Leeds’ green spaces following the historic gold medal victory at this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show – the first time a local authority has ever won this award.

Parks, green and floral spaces went under the microscope in August when judges descended on the city for a detailed inspection.

A variety of locations all over the city centre including famous landmarks were inspected including Millennium Square, the 2004 ‘From Freedom to the Future’ Chelsea Flower Show garden in honour of Nelson Mandela, Park Square, The Headrow, Briggate, the Victoria Quarter and Corn Exchange.

Wetherby was also singled out for praise earning itself a silver gilt award in the town category of the hotly contested competition.

Participants competed across 13 categories, of which seven are for towns, cities and urban groups with five categories covering villages and coastal communities as well as one for overall high achievers.

Each year hundreds of communities strive for recognition at national level for their accomplishments and ingenuity in horticulture, environmental responsibility and community participation.

Beginning in 1964 the competition started as a way of promoting Great Britain as a tourist attraction - today rivalry between competing venues means standards are very high.

Leeds City Council’s executive member for leisure Councillor Adam Ogilvie said:

“Not only does Britain in Bloom improve people’s sense of civic pride but it’s also hugely beneficial to the environment. Leeds is renowned for its parks and green spaces and a lot of hard work goes into making them look so impressive often by volunteers giving their time for free."

For further information on the Britain in Bloom competition, visit the website at www.rhs.org.uk/britaininbloom.

ENDS

For media enquiries please contact:
Daniel Johnson,
leisure communications officer
tel: 0113 247 8285
email: Daniel.johnson1@leeds.gov.uk

Statement on leisure centre crèche provision

Leeds City Council have today confirmed that leisure centre crèche facilities are to be withdrawn next month.

The current leisure centre crèche facilities at East Leeds, Kippax, Rothwell, Aireborough, Pudsey and Scott Hall are to end on Friday 12th November due to falling demand, rising costs and budget pressures which have made the service unsustainable.

In the last year the service saw only 7,264 children placed in the crèches, which equates to less than three per hour in total across all six sites.

Due to rising costs and this low and falling demand the council subsidised the service over the last 12 months at a cost of £10.22 per hour for every child attending. The result of the change will be a net saving of £60,000 per year.

Chief recreation officer Richard Mond said:

“We have reluctantly had little choice but to make this difficult decision to end creche provision in our leisure centres due to the decline in numbers of children using the service and high cost which has made it unsustainable.

“Everyone involved is being informed and we will make every effort to work with customers to see if they can attend their current or alternative fitness sessions.”

For further information on the changes contact local leisure centres through www.leeds.gov.uk/leisurecentres

Notes to editors:

The six centres were the last council-managed leisure centres in the city to offer drop-in crèche facilities for anyone attending a leisure centre fitness class or session, as the service was withdrawn from other centres due to falling numbers over the last five years.

Users of the service are to receive letters while posters and notices will be put on display in each centre. All staff involved will be supported in finding alternative roles within the sport and active recreation service or in other areas of the council.

ENDS

For media enquiries please contact:
Roger Boyde, Leisure media relations officer,
Tel 0113 247 5472, Email: roger.boyde@leeds.gov.uk