Everything you need to know about Firstsite Gallery, Colchester
Firstsite is a gallery space in the centre of Colchester, Essex that shows a wide variety of exhibitions, films and events. The staff are very welcoming and actively encourage families to visit, explore and interact with the space.
I have been visiting Firstsite since my eldest daughter was tiny. When she was a toddler, she absolutely loved running up and down the expansive corridor that curves the entire length of this unique building. As she got older, we went to the cinema and attended art workshops. A visit to Firstsite has become one of our family’s favourite weekend activities.
Below I have set out everything you need to know about Firstsite that I hope will encourage you to visit and enjoy it as much as we do.
The details I’ve included are correct at the time of writing this blog post, but please check current details before your visit.
Table of Contents
Notable Exhibitions at Firstsite
Winner of the Art Fund Museum of the Year 2021
About Firstsite, Colchester
There is no doubt that Firstsite in Colchester is housed in a striking landmark building.
This landmark structure was designed by world-renowned Uruguayan architect Rafael Viñoly. It opened in 2011 to mixed reviews, but I have always loved the building and, living in the local area, I find it invaluable to have such a creative space on our doorstep.
The building is situated in the heart of Colchester's "Cultural Quarter". It is close to the other galleries and sites mentioned in my ‘Best things to see and do in Colchester’ blog post, such as; Colchester Castle, The Minories, the Natural History Museum, Hollytrees Museum and the Roman Wall, and can easily be visited alongside these other attractions.
In 2015, Firstsite had its status as an Arts Council funded National Portfolio Organisation withdrawn. From a visitor's perspective, it was clear to see the lack of investment and so sad to witness a decline first hand. However, in February 2018 it was announced that Firstsite had returned to an Arts Council National Portfolio Organisation and I have been overjoyed to see Firstsite flourishing ever since.
Firstsite is a partner of Plus Tate, a group of 18 regional galleries, including The Baltic in Gateshead, Turner Contemporary in Margate and The Hepworth, Wakefield. These galleries work together to exchange ideas, knowledge, skills and resources, as well as programmes and collections.
Notable Exhibitions at Firstsite
Firstsite has a huge variety of exhibitions, residencies, commissions and screenings, covering a broad range of media and art forms. Firstsite has displayed work from artists including Antony Gormley, László Moholy-Nagy, Grayson Perry, and Andy Warhol. Over the years I have seen exhibitions by local, national and internationally acclaimed artists.
The Berryfield Mosaic lies at the heart of Firstsite. This Roman Mosaic was discovered during the construction of the building and now forms a permanent display under clear flooring. Other than the Berryfield Mosaic, Firstsite does not have a permanent art collection of its own, the exhibits are on display on a rolling six-monthly basis.
Firstsite has just celebrated its 10 year anniversary. In recognition, I have listed some of the exhibitions that have stood out to me during this time:
‘Hammer Prints Limited’ by Nigel Henderson and Eduardo Paolozzi (October 2012 - February 2013)
Hammer Prints Limited was a company founded in 1954 by Nigel Henderson and Eduardo Paolozzi. They worked locally, based at a studio near Thorpe-le-Soken in Essex. They developed approximately eleven designs that were screen printed onto wallpapers, textiles and ceramic products.
Around the same time, the artists were involved in the Independent Group, a group of artists, architects and writers who celebrated popular culture and mass production.
The collaboration between the artists only lasted a few years with Henderson working on designs alone until 1962. The exhibition at Firstsite was the first time the collaborations were showcased since Hammer Prints Limited’s dissolution.
This was one of the first exhibitions I ever saw at Firstsite in December 2012 and it had a big impact on me. I particularly like their wallpaper designs, which are printed in black on white and white on black. I have regularly referred back to the leaflet I took about the exhibition for inspiration in my own work, especially my printmaking.
‘Sculpture, Painting, Photography, Film’ by Bruce McLean (July - November 2014)
During the second half of 2014, Firstsite held an exhibition of Scottish artist Bruce Mclean's artworks, entitled 'Sculpture, Painting, Photography, Film'.
The exhibition took over the entire building and featured artworks in a range of media created over the course of 50 years. The exhibition included collaborations with designers, writers, dancers, architects, musicians, actors, his students and other artists.
Whilst at university, Bruce McLean made sculptures from rubbish as an act of rebellion against the artistic conventions and traditions encouraged by his art tutors.
This approach to making artworks continued throughout his career as an artist, as he often goes against the conventional definitions of what an artwork should be and how it should be displayed.
I am a big fan of Bruce McLean and was very happy to see some of his work more recently, on display at Chappell Contemporary in Whitstable. (For more information about What to see and do in Whitstable, please see my blog post here).
‘Field for the British Isles’ by Antony Gormley (November 2019 - March 2020)
This was the last exhibition I saw before the pandemic and just before the UK went into lockdown on 16th March 2020. It is a vast artwork that celebrates community, individuality and togetherness.
Field for the British Isles consists of 40,000 tiny individual terracotta figures and it is the largest single artwork in the Arts Council Collection.
Field for the British Isles was made by Antony Gormley in 1993. 100 volunteers were each given a portion of clay and instructions for the size and shape he wanted for the figures.
Field for the British Isles has been exhibited at a variety of venues across the UK. At each location, the configuration is changed to suit the space. The thousands of small figures are installed to resemble a dense carpet, with each figure looking directly at the viewer. In Firstsite the figures covered the rear half of the building, including throughout the main gallery spaces.
Alongside the exhibition, Firstsite held clay workshops for the general public to learn how to create terracotta figures similar to the ones in the exhibition and learn the skills required to create pinch pots, coiling and slab building. I attended the adult workshop on my own and also the children’s workshop with my eldest daughter. It was such a lovely idea that both myself and my daughter thoroughly enjoyed.
‘Welcome to Essex’ by Michael Landy (June - September 2021)
Most recently I have seen the wonderful exhibition ‘Welcome to Essex’ by Michael Landy. I moved to Essex over 15 years ago and very quickly the ‘Essex Girl’ jokes began and I soon noticed the patronising way that Essex is portrayed in the media.
Essex is one of the largest counties in England and is very diverse in many different ways, including its people, history, landscapes and urban areas. Yet, the media continues to pigeon hole Essex with its narrow stereotype. Therefore, it is incredibly interesting to see this exhibition and all the headlines laid bare.
The exhibition invites the viewer to explore, celebrate and question the recent history of Essex and its contemporary portrayal in popular culture.
Essex is Michael Landy’s home county and the exhibition includes new commissions that came out of the artist’s research about Essex, including ‘Essex Man (after Collet)’ (2021) – the huge, looming figure that appears immediately before you as you enter Firstsite. It is made from a hand drawn reproduction of the original ‘Essex Man’ illustration by Edward Collet in a 1990s Sunday Telegraph. There is also a golden, contemporary recreation of the ‘Dagenham idol’ – a wooden figure carbon dated around 2250 BC which is one of the oldest human representations found in Europe.
Michael Landy created a large-scale collage inspired by walks throughout the county with a variety of people including: Southend-based artist and activist Elsa James; writer and broadcaster Gillian Darley; and Professor Pam Cox, Head of the Department of Sociology, University of Essex.
Also on display is an extensive archive entitled ‘Essexism’ – highlighting the stereotyping of the Essex population into figures such as the ‘Essex Man’ and ‘Essex Girls’. The viewer can explore a fascinating collection of opinions expressed towards the county in the media. There are clips from TV shows and films, such as ‘The Only Way is Essex’, ‘Birds of a Feather’ and ‘Spitting Image’, there are also magazines, books, music, articles, music and online news items. As someone from Essex, it is both reassuring to have confirmation of a stereotyping I have felt to be true, but also frustrating to feel that there is very little we can do about it.
Michael Landy describes Essex as ‘England’s Most Misunderstood County’ and I couldn’t agree more!
Winner of the Art Fund Museum of the Year 2021
In September 2021, Firstsite was announced as the winner of the Art Fund Museum of the Year. This is a prestigious prize that is the largest of its kind and is a celebration of the UK’s museums and galleries.
The prize was to reflect the resilience and imagination of museums throughout the pandemic.
During the pandemic, Firstsite made a selection of downloadable Art packs called ‘Art is where the home is’. The packs included ideas from over 50 artists to help and encourage households to get creative during lockdown. I downloaded the packs myself and loved the variety of art prompts included, we used them long after lockdown ended.
Also during the pandemic, Firstsite started ‘The Great Big Art Exhibition’. This was to celebrate creativity across the UK. While museums and galleries were shut during the winter lockdown, Firstsite invited the public to make their own artworks and use their front windows, gardens, balconies and outdoor spaces to share what they made with others.
Again, Firstsite organised for artists to devise creative activities for people to follow at home, and national art museums to suggest artworks from their collections to help reflect upon the world around us. Each fortnight of the project had a new theme, including: Animals; Portraits; Colour; Flowers; Humour; Draw the future; and Performance.
Once galleries opened again, The Great Big Art Exhibition was shown at Firstsite from May to September 2021 and included the thousands of artworks that were made by the public and shared with Firstsite over social media.
Other notable initiatives during the pandemic included lending its building to a local charity, Community 360, to run a food bank and, in response to Black Lives Matter, Firstsite commissioned Elsa James to make a downloadable work in solidarity and continued the Super Black festival celebrating black culture in Essex.
One of the judges described Firstsite as ‘an outstanding example of innovation and integrity’. It is a fantastic and well-deserved win!
Diversity and Inclusion at Firstsite
Firstsite works with communities across East Anglia, celebrating the unique culture, heritage and landscape of the region and ensuring this is reflected through their programme of events and exhibitions.
The exhibitions feature artists who historically have been underrepresented in the art world. 50% of the programme is dedicated to work and exhibitions by people who have been marginalised. I have been pleased to see what appears to be a conscious effort to encourage diversity and inclusion at Firstsite.
Family friendly
I would not be exaggerating to say that Firstsite is possibly the most family-friendly art gallery I have ever been to. There is a real effort to engage a younger audience, with an extensive programme of creative events and activities for young children and teenagers, including regular parent and toddler drop-in sessions.
Available for hire
It’s worth noting that Firstsite has a variety of spaces available for hire: the restaurant; meeting rooms; studios; and a 180-seat tiered auditorium. The hi-spec spaces are suitable for a host of business purposes, including conferences, presentations and product launches.
Firstsite is also available for club and society meetings, and would make a spectacular backdrop for private parties and celebrations.
Plan your visit to Firstsite, Colchester
Entry to Firstsite is free, although donations are welcome.
Firstsite is easily accessible by car, being located off the A12, and with good links to the M25 and A14. There is good access to Colchester from all parts of the country via the A12, M25 and A14.
Located in the centre of historic Colchester, Firstsite is very close to Colchester Castle and the high street shops and independent boutiques, Firstsite is easily reached by road or rail via Colchester Town Station, and there is plenty of parking in the town centre. Priory Street car park and Greyfriars car park are the two car parks closest to Firstsite.
To plan your trip and check seasonal opening hours, please visit the Firstsite website.
Firstsite is an incredibly welcoming gallery space, suitable for young families to older visitors, I would highly recommend a visit.
If you would like to find out more about other attractions nearby, please see my blog post outlining the best things to see and do in Colchester.
I hope you have found this post useful. If you have visited Firstsite yourself, I would love to hear your thoughts or if you feel something is missing from this post, please email me and let me know at sarahransomeart@gmail.com.
