Pop up Art Exhibition at The Cloisters

As part of Letchworth Festival a group of local, national and international artists are taking-over one of Letchworth’s hidden architectural gems, the fantastical, The Cloisters, on Barrington Road. This follows the success of a pop-up exhibition there last year but promises to be bigger and better. The event is running on Sunday 24th June 2.00 - 7.00.

The Cloisters was opened in 1907 as a ‘School of Psychology’, where visitors from across the country came to sleep and bath in the open air and earnestly discuss solutions to life, love and politics. Since 1949 it has been the North Hertfordshire Masonic centre.

The event is a collaboration between the Masonic Trust, local artist Chantelle Stephenson and the Garden City Collection which aims use this amazing space to inspire people through music, art, photography and history.
Displays of visual art and photography will be found throughout the building including a number of rooms not usually open to the public. A Live Drawing will also take place by local artist Callum Abbot.

Live music will be performed in the Masonic Temple by the band Darkroom who wowed visitors to last years pop-up event with their ambient improvisational soundscapes. Also playing is Chester Kamen who has played guitar with many of the biggest names in rock and pop history.

Visitors can also explore the building as a Memory Palace, guided by walking artist Blake Morris.

The historical context of The Cloisters and the alternative beliefs of many of Letchworth’s early citizens will be displayed in the main function room with a revisit of the Garden City Collection’s exhibition from the Broadway Studio and Gallery in 2017 Alternative Letchworth.
All ages are welcome. Childrens activities, a bar and BBQ will provide food and refreshment and add to the convivial atmosphere.

No booking required. The event is free but, in the spirit of the philanthropists of the past that stayed in the building, there will be a suggested donation to Herts Young Homeless (Letchworth Garden City Heritage Foundation’s charity of the year).

For more information visit https://www.facebook.com/popupcloisters/