Rare Government Art Collection works coming to Darwen in mobile museum visit

A travelling museum featuring works from the Government Art Collection is due to stop in Darwen this summer, with the Art Explora Mobile Museum arriving on Saturday, August 29.

The visit will tie in with the Darwen Festival of Fun, which is also taking place that day in Market Square.

Darwen is one of just 13 places across the country chosen for the national tour, which runs from Plymouth to Preston.

Visitors will be able to see Shaped by the Sea, an exhibition of historic works and rarely seen pieces, some of which have never been seen in Lancashire before.

Councillor Quesir Mahmood, Blackburn with Darwen Council’s Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Growth and Development, said: “As a Council, we’re hugely passionate about making arts and culture accessible to all and welcoming the Art Explora Mobile Museum to our borough is a way for our residents to enjoy pieces from the national collection right here on their doorstop.

The fact that the visit will coincide with the Darwen Festival of Fun is brilliant too as it means there’ll be a full day of free family fun to enjoy right across the town centre, with thousands of people turning out for it every year.

We know that keeping little ones entertained all summer can be difficult. If a trip to a museum is something they’d enjoy, then there’s also the Darwen Heritage Centre and Blackburn Museum and Art Gallery too, both of which you can visit for free.

There’s also lots going on in our libraries and leisure centres as well as free family fun in our markets and lots of outdoor space to explore, including our many parks and playgrounds.”

The Darwen Festival of Fun is returning for its sixth year, with roving theatre, stilt walkers, dancers, live samba music, aerial performers, circus adventures, The Sound Garden and Rhythm Rave workshops.

There will also be face painting, creative activities, traditional fairground rides, an artisan market and a street food village.

The festival is funded by Darwen Town Council and curated by Crafty Vintage in partnership with Let’s Make, with support from Blackburn with Darwen Council.

Laura Johnson, owner of Crafty Vintage, said: “Darwen Festival of Fun has always been about bringing people together in the heart of the town to celebrate creativity, performance and community spirit.

Seeing Market Square filled with families enjoying free entertainment, discovering local makers and taking part in hands-on activities is exactly what this festival is all about.

We’re incredibly proud to bring it back for a sixth year and continue building something that truly belongs to the people of Darwen.”

People can keep up with what is happening in Darwen this summer on the Discover Darwen Facebook and Instagram pages, with a new-look website set to launch soon.