The Wilson Cheltenham Art Gallery and Museum, England
From 43 paintings in 1898 to a significant museum collection today. The Wilson, Gloucestershire’s premier art gallery and museum, houses an internationally significant museum collection of exceptional quality and variety with changing displays.
Extension
Over the years, the museum has undergone several metamorphoses. This was also the case in 2012, when 1250 m2 of additional gallery and ancillary facility spaces were created, due to a building extension. Since then, there has been more space for the gallery, there are study rooms, a publicly accessible archive, a café and a store. After reopening in 2013, the cultural center became known by its new name, The Wilson.
High quality archive and display storage
Bruynzeel was given the challenge to create a display and storage area that would enable the public to browse a variety of exhibits, as well as be easily accessible for staff to change and update displays. The primary methodology was to provide a high-density on-site repository, utilizing Sysco®, Compactus® mobile shelving and picture racking, combined with a range of display cabinets that are straightforward for staff to operate, while remaining secure and tamper-proof.
Flexible solution and multifunctional space
“Bruynzeel has helped to provide access to archival material that would not otherwise be made available to the public,” said Caroline Willatt, Collections Team Leader at The Wilson. “The space has been made more flexible. We can change displays more easily and bring collections together in ways that were not possible before. Visitors and researchers especially enjoy opening the drawers explore our collections,” explained Caroline. The resulting open archive gallery and repository has ensured The Wilson has a flexible storage facility fit for the 21st Century.
By providing a cleverly designed solution, Bruynzeel has helped us in our ambition to create a multifunctional space, allowing the opportunity for research, display and storage in an open archive gallery.
Caroline Willatt, Collections Team Leader at the Wilson
