Arts & exhibitions
The Hive has a rich and varied programme heavily influenced by the aim to support and promote the work of new and emerging artists alongside experienced local artists, groups and organisations.
If you are interested in hiring exhibition space please read our terms and conditions before completing and submitting an exhibition enquiry form. Completed forms or any enquiries about exhibiting at The Hive can be sent to programming@worcestershire.gov.uk.
Watermark Exhibition - 28th January – 3rd June
As part of the Hive’s Sustainability and the Environment cultural programme, we are delighted to be part of Watermark, a city-wide exhibition by Meadow Arts. Dedicated to those around the world who are affected by flooding, rising sea levels and loss of habitat, Watermark will explore water and flooding through a multi-site exhibition across the city.
Watermark will reveal how artists have responded to the element of water, how they have picked the urgent concerns of rising levels, flooding, drought, and invite visitors to reflect on their own relationship with the element.
The Hive and its grounds were specially designed to cope with flooding from the Severn. As well as contemporary drawings, prints and a digital installation from artists Carolyn Black and Hilary Jack,
As part of the Watermark exhibition and The Hive’s Sustainability and the Environment cultural programme, we will also be hosting various talks, theatre, family events and activities to explore the themes of flooding and living sustainably.
About Meadow Arts
Meadow Arts: art, places, ideas.
Meadow Arts is an inspirational contemporary visual art charity. Since 2001 we have challenged where & how exceptional art can be experienced, as well as who can appreciate it. We deliver ambitious and accessible projects in unexpected, often rural places. Find Meadow Arts online at www.meadowarts.org and @meadowarts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Small Pits, Big Ideas - 7th March – 29th March
Discover stories brought to light from 'test pit' excavations in gardens across Worcestershire's villages. The project’s exhibition features Spare Room Arts' cabinet of curiosities and tales unearthed by local people during six Big Digs, held in 2021-22 at White Ladies Aston, Beoley, Badsey, Wichenford, Wolverley and Bewdley. Run by Explore the Past on behalf of Worcestershire Archaeological Society, this community archaeology project was made possible thanks to National Lottery Heritage Fund and Arts Council England support.
Sea Change - 1st April - 19th April
Some of the world’s best-known illustrators, including Gruffalo illustrator Axel Scheffler, will contribute to this exhibition organised by the University of Worcester’s International Centre for the Picture Book in Society.
Sea Change is the latest venture from the Centre and is concerned with sustainability and promoting ocean literacy.
Over 400 artists from around the world, including Axel Scheffler, Jackie Morris, Roger Mello and Nicola Davies, have sent illustrated postcards to form an exhibition drawing attention to the growing threat to our ocean and seas.
The exhibition will feature recovered fishing nets and salvaged plastics donated by Ocean Recovery Project, who have helped develop the first UK system for processing fishing trawl nets.
1831 Reform Riots - 1st April - 3rd May - Level 2
In early October 1831, the defeat of the Second Reform Bill in the House of Lords led to a huge wave of pro-reform protests and disturbances across Britain and Ireland. Major disorders in the east Midlands, Dorset and Somerset were followed in Bristol by the most serious riot in nineteenth century England. In early November, less than a week after the events in Bristol, Worcester was to experience a riot of its own.
The Hive is hosting an exhibition which outlines the political context to the rioting, as well as considering the nature of the mass public disorders in Bristol, Bath and Worcester in autumn 1831. Along with the display will be a collection of maps, manuscripts and artifacts related to reform and riots from the Worcester Archives and the City Museum.
See this touring exhibition, created by the University of the West of England (UWE), on level 2 of The Hive from 1 April 2023. You can find out more about the project on the website: https://riot1831.com/
A free supporting talk will be held at The Hive on Saturday 1st April - discover more here.
Earth Balloon - 22nd April - 27th April
As part of the Sustainability and Environment cultural programme, The Hive will be hosting a giant inflatable Earth Balloon in the Atrium, so come and see the wonder that is planet Earth!
