What Is the Museum of Carpet's Autumn Exhibition 2026?

Updated

The Museum of Carpet's Autumn Exhibition 2026 features landscape paintings of the Severn Valley and the Wyre Forest by local artist Colin Simmonds. The exhibition runs until Saturday 10 October and is included with the museum's free entry (donations welcome). Because the museum is volunteer-run and opens only on Saturdays and Tuesdays, 10am–2pm, subject to volunteer availability, check in advance before making a special journey.

What You'll See

The exhibition centres on Simmonds' landscape paintings of two nearby Worcestershire landscapes: the Severn Valley and the Wyre Forest. All final works are oil on canvas.

According to the artist's statement, the paintings were produced over four to five years. In preparation, Simmonds created numerous watercolours, pen-and-ink drawings and oil studies before completing the final canvases. He describes working directly from nature as essential to a genuine connection with, and understanding of, the purpose of painting, and says this body of work emerged partly as a reaction against more abstract approaches.

About the Artist

Colin Simmonds trained at the Moseley School of Art and Birmingham College of Art. His exhibition record includes the Royal Society of Portrait Painters and the Royal Pastel Society, and his work is held in the collection of the Arts Council of Great Britain. He is a member of the Royal Birmingham Society of Artists.

Planning Your Visit

Detail Information
Exhibition dates Until Saturday 10 October
Museum opening days Saturdays and Tuesdays
Opening hours 10am–2pm
Entry Free; donations gratefully received
Power-loom demonstrations Generally at 12 noon, once per opening session

The power-loom demonstrations are described as the highlight of most visits, so timing your visit around noon lets you see both the exhibition and a demonstration. The museum notes that it runs the looms only once per opening session to keep costs down.

Before You Travel

The museum is independent and run by volunteers, and opening is subject to volunteer availability. If you are making a long or special journey specifically to see the exhibition, contact the museum first to confirm it will be open:

Supporting the Museum

As a volunteer-run, independent museum, it relies on help to cover rising costs. Visitors can donate; the museum directs people to the Donate tab on its website for more information.