Cornwall's Science Museum

Interactive artworks crafted by local artists from salvaged materials and objects.

An immersive and unique space to explore interactive, up-cycled artworks that delve into the peculiarities of science. Winner of the National Museum and Heritage Awards 2022.

If you’re looking for something different, this exhibition is for you. Great for all ages to learn through play, prepare to be baffled and amazed!

This exhibition is about as environmentally friendly as they come. Almost all the exhibits have been carefully crafted with waste, used or reclaimed materials. Follow the stories that are entwined in each exhibit; where it’s components came from and how it was transformed. 

Reimagining Reality is a pilot to test and refine our approach and is a step towards setting up a permanent science and art center in Cornwall.  We would love to get your thoughts on it and any ideas you have. 

BOOK A ENTRY TIME

We may be small but you should leave at least 90mins to fully immerse yourself into the exhibition. Book tickets for up to 8 people in a timed slot to keep everyone spaced out and able to fully enjoy the exhibition, have a bigger group? Just book in a neighbouring time slot and arrive together. Please try to arrive at the start time,  you are welcome to stay as long as you like.

Please read before booking:

We feel it’s important that children are allowed to get hands-on. We ask parents and carers to be vigilant and understand there are exhibits with mechanisms that pose a risk of injury if misused. Children will need to be supervised at all times. There are loud noises and strobe lighting effects. Contact us before your visit if you have concerns. Several exhibits contain small parts such as marbles if you have an under 3’s you will need to be vigilant

Each slot has a Limited amount of Tickets so if you can’t get enough tickets from one slot please try another or give us a call and we can advise availability. 

We are hard to find – we are inside a beautiful park! We have great map on this page please take a good look, as we can not be seen from any roads. It is easiest to find us from Priory Carpark PL31 2DQ.

 

WHERE?

Narisa Hall/Old Band Stand, in Priory Park

what three words ///tunes.sang.scrap.

We are in priory park in a cream, glass-fronted hall, across the lawn from the pond. We have coloured bike wheel windmills out the front.

BY CAR

Parking at Priory Car Park, PL31 2DQ. 

BY TRAIN

Bodmin Parkway station then catch a bus.

BY BUS

2min walk from Mount Folly or Lidl stops

BY BIKE FROM WADEBRIDGE OR PADSTOW

Camel Trail to Bodmin + 7min cycle.

 

Make a day of it, we are very close to lovely cafes, charity shops, Priory playpark, intoBodmin, Bodmin & Wenford Steam Railway, Bodmin Jail, Shire Hall Courtroom Experience,  Bodmin Beacon, Town Museum, Military Museum, St Petroc’s Church (the largest church in Cornwall!), Lanhydrock (National Trust) and Pencarrow House & Gardens.

MEET THE ARTISTS

NATALIA JONES

Natalia Jones has a background in Psychology and Environmental Management and an interest in Art. She is a former winner of the National Allied Arts Award in Zimbabwe for a sustainable art installation. She also received a distinction for her Psychology research on behaviour change associated with waste art.

Natalia organised, ‘The Redistribution Project’ during university that mobilised university students to collect, clean and redistribute over 16 tonnes of unwanted reusables over 2 years.

Over the past 5 years, Natalia co-run a video production company with Roy. 

 

ROY JONES

Roy has 10 years experience setting up and running a video production company. He has managed creative projects from conception to completion; liaising with different stakeholders to deliver complex work on budget and within tight deadlines. He has successfully delivered creative projects for clients such as The National Trust and English Heritage, amongst many others.

THRUSSELLS

Gary and Thomas Thrussell are a father and son team. Gary Thrussell followed in his fathers footsteps by training as a mechanical engineer in a foundry in England. Gary went self-employed in 1987, producing small sculptures for private collectors using his metal working skills. In 1999 he set up a new studio in Cornwall UK with his son Thomas Thrussell, who trained in metal fabrication and business.

Thrussells draw inspiration from nature and cultural heritage. They work in mild steel, copper, and stainless steel using forging, welding and sheet metal working processes. They create, design and produce bespoke public and private sculpture. Their work can also be found nationwide in public spaces, schools and museums.

Website : www.thrussells.com

JACK STILING

Jack conducts a playground of tinplate toys, curious characters and ingenious inventions. Influenced by a fascination of old-world engineering, his spectacular creations prove the potential of discarded treasures.

Most know me as a maker of things, which I like. For a professional title Ive tried: opifex, inventor, designer, artist, mechanic, craftsman, illustrator, signwriter, automata maker, baker. Maker of thingsis a good resolute conclusion made by most after theyve given up, including me.”

Website : www.stilingsworkshop.com

JAN O’HIGHWAY

From an initial training in painting, printmaking, and calligraphy at Guildford School of Art in the late 1950s, Jan’s practice broadened to include  3-dimensional work.  Commissioned pieces are usually figurative and easily read while personal exploratory work is mostly abstract.

“I glaze ceramic and fuse glass for mosaics and sculpture, often in combination with reclaimed and found materials; the huge impact of  waste, plastics and oil on our planet is of major concern. The extraordinary richness of shape to be found in the ordinary…things abandoned, unvalued, changed by time.”

Website : www.janohighway.com

DOMINIC ALLEN

Dom Allen is maker of contraptions and mostly works with sound, electronics, and mechanical systems. Over the years he has built interactive exhibits for galleries and festivals, props for film, specialist scientific equipment & some very large speakers. He also makes bespoke audio equipment under the name ‘Everybody Hertz’, including effects pedals, synthesisers and speakers.

Facebook : EverybodyHertzAudio

REUBEN EVANS

Reuben Evans is a multidisciplinary artist and event manager based in Falmouth, Cornwall. He works in sound, sculpture and workshop delivery. Also co-ordinator at Phaked Soundsystem, a local electronic music collective, since 2007.

“I work in sculpture using reclaimed housing materials and rusting metal, audio installation and workshop/interactive art. I’m currently putting together a proposal for a Creative Learning MA at Plymouth. I have a keen interest in community engagement and learning through art (this forms the basis of my masters proposal), especially with regard to local histories, tensions and material conditions (geologies, ecologies + economies), which then inform the content and medium of the piece or workshop.”

ALEXA MARSHALL

Alexa Marshall is a Cornwall based artist specialising in Light. Utilising kiln formed glass, various light sources and a multitude of natural and artificial materials, often recycled, that transmit, reflect and filter the light. Alexa enjoys creating dynamic pieces, the perception of which alters as your viewing location or as the ambient light changes throughout the day and night. 

Instagram: @AlexaMarshall-Lexylights 

DAN LEWIS

Dan has over 20 years’ experience in the creative industries and 14 years in secondary school teaching having previously worked in media for ITV / Reuters.  In the last 2 years he created a partnership with Professor Richard Thompson’s team at Plymouth University to turn European Interreg data into microplastic patterns. He has collaborated with a PhD student at the Energy and Environmental Institute at Hull University to re-represent scientific data and information into new forms which engage people and raise awareness of plastic borne waste in our global water systems. Dan is a founding member of Sōl Earth Trust, a small collective that brings awareness to nature through organically produced Skincare, Mindfulness, Mediation and Coaching, UK grown tree saplings, the beginnings of a Seed Bank, Education and Community initiatives.

Website: danpaullewis.uk
Instagram: @danpaullewis

NICKEY LINZEY

Nickey is works with marine waste including ghost nets and but of plastic found on the beach. 

“In 2014, I came across the 2minutebeachclean online community and inspired by the artists creating things from recycled rubbish, I started to keep the litter, ghost nets and marine debris I found – to make woven wall hangings and bowls.”

Website: www.nickylinzeydesign.co.uk

Instagram: @nickylinzey

EMILY WHITFIELD-WICKS

In 1988  Emily studied Fine Art and B&W photography at Plymouth College of Art & Design followed by Editorial and Advertising Photography at Gloucester College of Art and Technology in 1989. 

After graduating in 1991, Emily worked as a photographers assistant in London and worked in Oxford and the Southwest as a photographer and Photographer Trainer before traveling the world as a Cruise Ship photographer and Gallery Manager, building up a portfolio of travel photography. Returning to her home county in Cornwall in 2002, she joined ’Apex News & Pictures’ agency, providing images for the Cornish Guardian and National press. In 2006, she became a staff photographer for Western Morning News, taking photographs for editorial features and covering major news events as well as travelling abroad for news stories relevant to the West Country and travel features for the travel pages. 

“During my time as a photographer, I have never forgotten my love for art. The lockdowns gave me the perfect opportunity to once again take up the brush. I have painted a lot since and have made some major sales and sold many cards and prints. Between photography I will continue to dedicate my time to art.” 

Website: www.emilyww.co.uk
Instagram: @emilyroseww