Bath & North East Somerset Council has welcomed a donation by a former loyal friend and supporter of Bath’s Victoria Art Gallery.
Bradford-on-Avon resident Dr Sheila Day was also a Trustee of the Gallery’s Friends Group.
She very generously decided that, after her death, the Gallery could choose pieces from her wonderful collection of modern sculptures, ceramics, painting and prints for public display until the end of the year.
As well as being a great supporter of the arts locally, Dr Day (née Murray) was for many years a highly-regarded GP practicing in Wiltshire.
Following Dr Day’s death on 8th November 2012, a total of 28 items from her art collection passed to the Friends of the Victoria Art Gallery, a registered charity, who then transferred ownership to the Gallery.
Twenty of the best pieces from the Day Bequest are now on display upstairs at the Gallery.
They include prints by Marc Chagall and Ana Maria Pacheco, paintings by Keith Vaughan and Alan Davie, sculptures by Michael Ayrton and Eduardo Paolozzi, and ceramics by John Maltby and Robin Welch.
Local artists who are featured include Ann Christopher RA, John Eaves, Peter Hayes and Paul Sonabend.
Jon Benington, Manager of the Bath & North East Somerset Council-run Gallery, said: “We are tremendously grateful to Dr Day for making this very public-spirited gift to the Gallery, which greatly enhances the representation of modern and contemporary artists in the permanent collection.
“The items in this bequest will add a new dimension to the Gallery’s collection, as well as being a permanent and fitting memorial to one of the Gallery’s most loyal supporters.”
The Victoria Art Gallery, near Pulteney Bridge in Bath, is open 10am to 5pm from Tuesday to Saturday, from 1.30pm to 5pm on Sunday and closed on Monday. Admission to the permanent collection is free to all.
