Cracking Ceramics: Cannon Hall Museum's amazing new virtual tour exhibition

SOUTH Yorkshire's Cannon Hall Museum today launched its latest exhibition on time thanks to an amazing 360 degree virtual tour - so art fans can visit while safe at home.
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Despite being temporarily closed, in the social distancing war on coronavirus, it means the public can still enjoy a digital first look at Cracking Ceramics.

TAKE THE 360 TOUR: Check out the incredible 360 virtual tour of Cracking Ceramics at Cannon Hall Museum – CLICK HERE.

The virtual tour, an immersive walk through experience, is interactive with pop-up information hotspots featuring video, photos, words and web links to celebrate Cannon Hall’s fantastic ceramics collections.

Cracking Ceramics 360 degree virtual tour at Cannon Hall MuseumCracking Ceramics 360 degree virtual tour at Cannon Hall Museum
Cracking Ceramics 360 degree virtual tour at Cannon Hall Museum

Online visitors, at their own pace, can look around all four display spaces and discover more about the incredible art treasures on show.

It features beautiful ceramic plates, vases and other objects, ranging from the 18th century up to present day, by famous names like William De Morgan, Bernad Leach and factories including Wedgwood and Doulton.

Amongst the many highlights are local works including Sentry vases made in 1980 by Barnsley's own Val Barry and a Vase with Dragon manufactured by Burmantofts near Leeds, who made decorative pottery in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Some of the exhibits were made to commemorate events and others for home decorations.

Pop up information hot spots include this Vase with Dragon manufactured by Burmantofts near Leeds,Pop up information hot spots include this Vase with Dragon manufactured by Burmantofts near Leeds,
Pop up information hot spots include this Vase with Dragon manufactured by Burmantofts near Leeds,

The exhibition and virtual tour is also a showcase of the very oldest part of the country house museum - historic rooms, closed for years and now totally transformed at the venue near Cawthorne in Barnsley.

The redesigned spaces are the culmination of a three-year project and the exhibition has been made possible with funding from the Esmee Fairbairn Collections Fund through the Museums Association, and DCMS/Wolfson Museums and Galleries Improvement Fund.

Cannon Hall Museum, originally the home of the Spencer and later the Spencer-Stanhope family, was bought by the then Barnsley Corporation in 1951 and a few years later it opened as a museum, with a decision to buy and acquire art collections for public display. It now also houses collections of fine furniture, paintings and glassware.

A Family of Artists exhibition, on loan from the De Morgan Foundation, drawing on the links between the Spencer Stanhopes and the De Morgans, occupies four rooms in the east wing.

Video pop-up welcome to Cracking Ceramics at Cannon Hall MuseumVideo pop-up welcome to Cracking Ceramics at Cannon Hall Museum
Video pop-up welcome to Cracking Ceramics at Cannon Hall Museum

At one time the building also housed the Regimental Museum of the 13th/18th Royal Hussars (Queen Mary's Own) and the Light Dragoons.

It is one of five free entry museums - along with Experience Barnsley, Cooper Gallery, Elsecar Heritage Centre and Worsbrough Mill - operated by Barnsley Museums, run by Barnsley Council with support from Barnsley Museums and Heritage Trust.

All scheduled events and exhibition openings at all sites have been cancelled for the12 weeks to combat the spread of Covid 19 (Coronavirus). Anyone with a ticket for any of its upcoming events will receive a full refund.

Despite its museums and galleries being closed, it plans to engage with people online via its website, social media and YouTube channel promoting its collections, exhibitions, photographs, blogs, podcasts, films and more.

Sentry vases made in 1980 by Barnsley's own Val BarrySentry vases made in 1980 by Barnsley's own Val Barry
Sentry vases made in 1980 by Barnsley's own Val Barry

It encourages donations to its registered charity, Barnsley Museums Heritage Trust – to give support visit www.bmht.org/supportus.

For Barnsley Museums updates visit www.barnsley-museums.com and for latest information from Barnsley Council visit www.barnsley.gov.uk.