The Minories is an arts charity and gallery in an historic townhouse in central Colchester. 74 High Street has long been an essential part of any visit to the town centre, and in the warmer months its secluded garden is a particular delight. To discover its peace and calm for the first time is a memory that certainly seems to remain in many visitors’ hearts. Inside, in the galleries and reception rooms, elegant spaces can be found ideal for quiet, visual contemplation.
Clarence Victor Batte-Lay (1865-1935) was a Colchester man who had done well in the brewing business in Norfolk, and retired to Colchester where he built a collection of art and artefacts. His widow, Mrs Margaret Eleanor Batte-Lay, died in 1955 and left the collection and a sum of money to purchase ‘an ancient building of antiquarian or archaeological interest’ to house the collection, in memory of her husband, and ‘for the benefit and advantage of the inhabitants of Colchester’.
“…The exhibitions held by the Trust from 1958 to 1993… numbered some four hundred. [This] represents an artistic achievement of which any gallery could be justifiably proud. Constable, Becker, Bawden, Nash, Bratby, Manet and contemporary artists such as John Doubleday, Anthony Atkinson, Guy Taplin, nine names chosen at random from this eclectic list, indicate the range and quality of the shows. The exhibitions included regular shows by the Colchester Art Society and Colchester School of Art and Design. And embraced sculpture, ceramics and textiles as well as paintings and prints.” (John Woods and Clifford Welch, Celebration of 50 Years of the Victor Batte Lay Trust, 2005)
Firstsite occupied the Minories and ran a vibrant gallery and art centre throughout the 1990s and until 2009 when it moved into its new building next door. Then Colchester Institute took the lease and used the Minories to accommodate its postgraduate MA course in fine art. With the arrival of the Covid19 pandemic lockdown, the Institute closed the building and announced it would not reopen during the remainder of its lease. At this announcement, the Victor Batte-Lay Foundation decided the time had come to take back control of the Minories and, working with artists, arts organisations, community groups, public bodies, and the people of Colchester and North Essex, to reimagine the Minories as an arts centre for the post-Covid twenty-first century.
“…The exhibitions held by the Trust from 1958 to 1993… numbered some four hundred. [This] represents an artistic achievement of which any gallery could be justifiably proud. Constable, Becker, Bawden, Nash, Bratby, Manet and contemporary artists such as John Doubleday, Anthony Atkinson, Guy Taplin, nine names chosen at random from this eclectic list, indicate the range and quality of the shows. The exhibitions included regular shows by the Colchester Art Society and Colchester School of Art and Design. And embraced sculpture, ceramics and textiles as well as paintings and prints.” (John Woods and Clifford Welch, Celebration of 50 Years of the Victor Batte Lay Trust, 2005)
Firstsite occupied the Minories and ran a vibrant gallery and art centre throughout the 1990s and until 2009 when it moved into its new building next door. Then Colchester Institute took the lease and used the Minories to accommodate its postgraduate MA course in fine art. With the arrival of the Covid19 pandemic lockdown, the Institute closed the building and announced it would not reopen during the remainder of its lease. At this announcement, the Victor Batte-Lay Foundation decided the time had come to take back control of the Minories and, working with artists, arts organisations, community groups, public bodies, and the people of Colchester and North Essex, to reimagine the Minories as an arts centre for the post-Covid twenty-first century.
The current exhibitions are:
Works on Paper from the Victor Batte-Lay Foundation Collection
Thursday 15 February – Sunday 24 March 2024, 10am - 4pm
A exhibition of works on paper drawn from the Permanent Art Collection of the Victor Batte-Lay Foundation, who own the Minories. Featuring Dione Page, Blair Hughes-Stanton, Lucien Pissarro, Lisa Temple-Cox, John Nash, Paul Nash and John Bensusan-Butt.
Hayletts Gallery: Contemporary and Modern British Original Prints
Saturday 16 – Sunday 24 March 2024, 10am - 4pm
A selection of screenprints, etchings, woodcuts, linocuts and lithographs, incorporating works by many of the most noted artists from 1940’s to the current day. Includes prints by pioneering Essex artists:- Edward Bawden, Eduardo Paolozzi, John Nash, Humphrey Spender and Michael Rothenstein. There are also artworks by:- David Hockney, Bridget Riley, Henry Moore, Eric Ravilious, Barbara Hepworth, Paula Rego, Tracey Emin, Elisabeth Frink, Elizabeth Blackadder, Peter Blake, Mary Fedden, Edward Burra, Victor Pasmore, John Piper, Terry Frost, John Hoyland, Julian Opie, Marc Quinn, Albert Irvin, Craigie Aitchison, Anita Klein, Karolina Larusdottir, Patrick Caulfield, David Shrigley and Julian Trevelyan.
Saturday 16 – Sunday 24 March 2024, 10am - 4pm
A selection of screenprints, etchings, woodcuts, linocuts and lithographs, incorporating works by many of the most noted artists from 1940’s to the current day. Includes prints by pioneering Essex artists:- Edward Bawden, Eduardo Paolozzi, John Nash, Humphrey Spender and Michael Rothenstein. There are also artworks by:- David Hockney, Bridget Riley, Henry Moore, Eric Ravilious, Barbara Hepworth, Paula Rego, Tracey Emin, Elisabeth Frink, Elizabeth Blackadder, Peter Blake, Mary Fedden, Edward Burra, Victor Pasmore, John Piper, Terry Frost, John Hoyland, Julian Opie, Marc Quinn, Albert Irvin, Craigie Aitchison, Anita Klein, Karolina Larusdottir, Patrick Caulfield, David Shrigley and Julian Trevelyan.
Works on Paper from the Victor Batte-Lay Foundation Collection
Thursday 15 February – Sunday 24 March 2024, 10am - 4pm
A exhibition of works on paper drawn from the Permanent Art Collection of the Victor Batte-Lay Foundation, who own the Minories. Featuring Dione Page, Blair Hughes-Stanton, Lucien Pissarro, Lisa Temple-Cox, John Nash, Paul Nash and John Bensusan-Butt.
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Dave Gahan - Kingdom.
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