A special ‘thank you’ for the volunteers at Wolverhampton Art Gallery

To mark Volunteers Week, Wolverhampton Art Gallery arranged a special ‘thank-you’ event for their volunteer team, inviting them to take a sneaky peak at what’s down in the basement stores!

Beneath the gallery are row upon row of specially designed storage units housing hundreds and hundreds of paintings …

… drawer upon drawer of yet more …

… and even more still, in box after box, after box!

Alongside the paintings and drawings there are stores full of sculptures, artefacts and ephemera. The bronze of Billy Wright, ancient sculptures from China, Japanese Samurai swords, old typewriters, cameras, a child’s pram, a collection of basketwork; even a box of pottery finds from a dig that took place at the old Lindy Lou shop in Wolverhampton can all be found tucked away on the shelves in the basement.

It’s estimated that less than 10% of the whole collection the gallery owns is on show at any one time.

Once the tour was over, the volunteers were treated to lunch in the beautiful Georgian Gallery, giving everyone a chance to catch up and share some of the experiences they’ve had over their years of volunteering. Thanks to Michelle, the art gallery’s Visitor Assistant Supervisor for organising the day, and to Claire for making the tour so interesting.

Oh, and by the way, if you’ve been wondering what’s happened to Ghandi - he’s safe and sound in the basement too!