De Morgan Centre Is Closing On 28th June

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Whilst continuing to look for a new home for its collection

The De Morgan Centre is closing on 28th June and is looking for a new home to house its unique collection of Arts and Crafts paintings and ceramics.

Since the Foundation opened the De Morgan Centre in 2002, it has had many positive achievements including providing public access to the collection, developing temporary and touring exhibitions, acquiring some fantastic new objects, providing education services, activities, events and opportunities for volunteering in the museum.

A spokesman said: "However, we have also faced many challenges during our time in Wandsworth, not least being the foreclosure of our original lease by Wandsworth Council in 2009 which led to a period of closure for two years. Since 2011 we have operated at West Hill with the agreement of the Wandsworth Museum Company who have the overall lease for the building. In December 2013, Wandsworth Museum Company gave us notice to leave as the Museum is planning to relocate to new premises, and we will therefore be closing the Centre on June 28th of this year. We will look for a new permanent home for the collection, in a location with good amenities and footfall."

Chairman Paul Jackson explained: "Our priorities at this time are safeguarding and maintaining the collection and its identity for the future, and guaranteeing that public access to the works of William and Evelyn De Morgan continues."

A number of proposed object loans to other museums and cultural institutions will ensure that a selection of the ceramics and oil paintings in the Foundation’s possession will remain accessible to the public. De Morgans and the Sea, a loan exhibition exploring influences of the sea in the works of William and Evelyn De Morgan, will be on display at the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum in Bournemouth until 28th September 2014.

The centre will be relocating to new office space to continue essential activities and work towards finding a new home.

Saturday 28th June will be the last opportunity to see the De Morgan Centre at its current Wandsworth location. The gallery and the temporary exhibition, Men in Pants, will operate under normal opening hours until that date. The final Thursday Late will take place on Thursday 5th June and it will be open until 8pm.

The spokesman continued: " We are grateful to all who have supported us at our Wandsworth home and hope for your continued support and encouragement as we move onto our next stage. We will let you know about our new venue as soon as we have news. In the meantime, you can follow our developments on our website and through Facebook and Twitter."

June 4, 2014