City’s Ikon gallery finally set to reopen doors to visitors

BIRMINGHAM’S Ikon Gallery is set to reopen after five months in lockdown, but all visitors will have to pre-book online.

This year’s summer programme has now been postponed until 2021 to enable the autumn displays to go ahead as normal.

Ikon, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2014, also houses an independent shop stocking local authors and makers, and coffee specialists Yorks Cafe which has also remained closed throughout lockdown.

Gallery director Jonathan Watkins said: “We are very happy to be back at Ikon, welcoming visitors in the same friendly spirit – but now with the added frisson of face masks, sanitisers and social distancing.

“In other words, the artistic experience we offer will be as safe as it is exciting.

“We look forward very much to sharing new adventures in new ways, as it should be with contemporary art.”

Meanwhile, MAC Birmingham in Cannon Hill Park has said it will not reopen this year

And Birmingham Museum & Art

Gallery said: “We do not have a date for reopening.”

In July, bosses at Birmingham Museums Trust revealed half of staff had been placed at risk of redundancy after all but one of its nine venues were forced to close in March.

As well as the city centre gallery, its other big attraction is the Thinktank science museum at Millennium Point, with other sites including Aston Hall, Blakesley Hall, the Museum of the Jewellery Quarter, Soho House, Weoley Castle and the Museum Collections Centre.

Sarehole Mill, a 250-year-old mill with links to JRR Tolkein, has been opening as a community hub and producing bread for sale at its small neighbourhood shop.

To try to ensure a safe experience for everyone the Ikon gallery, in Brindleyplace, will be introducing one-way systems, hand sanitiser stations and will operate with a reduced capacity. Advance bookings will ensure numbers will enable social distancing.

Ikon’s spring season featured works by John Newling, Judy Watson and Mariateresa Sartori. It had only just begun when the Covid-19 pandemic forced the gallery to close in mid-March.

The gallery is now giving people a second chance to see these works for a few weeks. The dates for John Newling’s Dear Nature and Judy Watson’s exhibition have been extended until September 6.

Ikon is also encouraging online visits enhanced by “a dynamic programme of films, artist interviews and family activities”.

Following a short closure for installation the gallery will reopen for its autumn season on September 17. Admission is free.