Bolton Museum has revealed concept art for its new Egyptology gallery.
The final designs will be created in the spring and the new-look museum will re-open in 2018.
The museum is currently undergoing a £3.8m rennovation. Exhibition designer Leach Studio has produced images suggesting how the museum’s extensive Egypt collection could be exhibited. The concept art shows four stages of the new visitor experience for the museum’s ‘Eternal Egypt’ exhibition.
The New Look Bolton Museum
Visitors will be welcomed to the ‘Rotunda’. This will set the scene and explain why Bolton Museum has such an extensive Egyptology collection.
The next section, ‘Land & People’ will display artefacts used in the everyday life of Egyptians.
Following this, a darkened ‘Beliefs’ section looks at death and the afterlife in ancient Egypt.
Next is the museum’s tomb of Thutmose III. This is in fact a full size reproduction of the Pharaoh’s burial chamber and is expected to be the jewel in the crown of the exhibition.
Finally, the ‘Reflections’ area will allow visitors to consider similarities between themselves and the Ancient Egyptions.
We’d Love to Hear what People Think
The images are currently being shared on social media so that the public can give their thoughts on the designs. This feedback will inform the final design of the exhibtion.
Bolton Council’s cabinet member for culture, youth and sport, Coun John Byrne, said, “As initial concepts for the new Eternal Egypt gallery, these designs are really exciting and give a flavour of what our museum could look like.
“These designs are subject to change as we are just at the start of this creative journey, but I can’t wait to see the finished gallery and welcome visitors to our fantastic museum. We’d love to hear what people think and would encourage them to get involved on social media.”
The design firm is Leach Studio, which specialises in interpretive design and museum exhibtion work. Head of Creative, Nicola Ward, said, “We’re delighted to be involved in such an exciting project. We look forward to working with the Bolton community as our creative designs begin to evolve. Museum and heritage is at the heart of our business and we can’t wait to bring Egyptology to life!”
For updates on Bolton Museum, follow them on Twitter @BoltonLMS.
All images Leach Studios.
