Article: The Cooper Gallery Article Body The Cooper Gallery Samuel Joshua Cooper CP TR 244 Samuel Joshua Cooper by Madeleine Moore Cooper blue plaque unveiled February 2010 Barnsley is very happy to have numbered among its citizens the philanthropist Samuel Joshua Cooper. Son of a wealthy local businessman, he undertook the Grand Tour, journeying through France and Italy in search of art and culture. There he discovered the rich legacies of classical antiquity and the Renaissance, bringing back many fine examples for the people of his home town to enjoy. When the town's Holgate Grammar School outgrew its space, Cooper acquired the building to house his collection and opened the doors to the public in 1914. Over 200 works were on show then including 18th and 19th century paintings from Italy and France, a select group of 17th century Dutch works and the largest private collection of Eugène Isabey paintings outside of France. The collection grew with the help of other benefactors - chief among them The Fox Family, Sir Michael Sadler and the Addy bequest - allowing the Cooper Gallery to continue to expand and develop. In 1977 the Gallery Trustees entered into a partnership with the South Yorkshire County Council to ensure the survival of the Gallery and Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council have continued this partnership. The permanent collection now contains over 400 works from such wide ranging artists as JMW Turner and John Sell Cotman through to the Bloomsbury Group's Duncan Grant, Vanessa Bell and Roger Fry. Among the latest acquisitions is the Sutherland Bequest which includes a painting by one of the most interesting British artists of the postwar period, Prunella Clough. It is from these permanent collections that themed exhibitions are created to hang alongside an exciting programme of temporary exhibitions Early photo of the Cooper Gallery Other bequests The Fox Family The Fox Family were local brewery and hotel owners. Thomas Fox and his sisters added the Fox Wing extension to the Gallery in 1934 in memory of their parents James and Jane Fox and gave the Gallery its third bequest. The Fox bequest includes works by JV de Fleury, John Berney Ladbrooke and local artist Able Hold, including our most popular characters Peggy Airey and Watter Joe CP/TR 216 Portrait of Mr James Fox by H.C.Cook Sir Michael Ernest Sadler Michael Sadler was born in Barnsley in 1861 where his father was a general practitioner. In 1903 he was appointed Professor of History and Administration of Education at Manchester University. In 1911 he become Vice chancellor of Leeds University and then in 1923 became Master of University College, Oxford He was an avid collector of art and was an intuitive buyer. His first bequest to the Cooper Gallery was in 1923 and there were subsequent bequests through the NACF in the 1930's, the most significant coming in 1932. He wrote a booklet called "Notes on a collection of English Drawings" to accompany this. CP/TR 309 Portrait of Dr M T Sadler, Sir Michael Sadler's father By Charles Wellington Furse The Addy Bequest Rowland Addy was born in South Heindley in 1892 into a relatively prosperous family. His father was managing director of Carlton Main Colliery Company. He attended university before joining the War effort in 1914 where he was awarded the British Victory Star medal for his services in Egypt After the war he took over from his father in and expanded the company amassing a considerable sum of money. In 1916 he purchased Brierly Hall. On the nationalization of coal in 1948 Addy retired to Scarborough. The Addy Bequest was left to the Cooper Gallery in 1978 by his wife Joan Nelson who he married in 1946. The collection of oils and watercolours includes paintings by famous British artists such as JMW Turner and Thomas Girtin CP/TR 394 Portrait of Rowland Addy All pictures reproduced by kind permission of the Cooper Gallery Trustees Impressions Coffee Lounge at the Cooper Gallery Impressions Coffee Lounge is a vibrant new café situated in the Cooper Gallery Run by local business woman Sue and her daughter Megan, Impressions provides a warm and welcoming atmosphere whether you plan to sit inside for a relaxed lunch, or grab a sandwich on the go. They offer a wide range of freshly made sandwiches, salads, light meals as well as a selection of cakes and drinks All items are reasonably price and with a breakfast menu served from 9.30 this is the perfect place to meet and sample some mouth watering goods. Impressions menu Sue and Megan from the Impressions Coffee Lounge Photo by Timm Cleasby Photography Temporary Exhibitions The Cooper gallery has an exciting programme of contemporary exhibitions, featuring work by international, national and local artists. To find out what is onnow in the gallery, please follow the Exhibions - Temporary link on the right hand side of the page Crafts Showcase The Cooper Gallery is well known for its unique high quality artwork and crafts. Works for sale areby local and regional craftspeople and designers. There's jewellery, ceramics, textiles and artwork for sale including a variety of postcards showing the Cooper Gallery permanent collection. To see a selection of the work we sell see our Museums and galleries - shops page Conference facilities The Sadler Room at the Cooper Gallery is available for hire for meetings, conferences, activities and events. It can seat up to 90 people theatre style or 20 to 25 people conference style. In-house catering and refreshments are available when hiring a room. The following equipment is available on request: overhead projector; screen; flip charts; television and video; laptop and PowerPoint projector. Catering can be arranged for your meeting. Please ring for further details. Meeting times can be arranged outside of normal gallery opening times. Please contact the Cooper Gallery for room availability. Room Hire Charges Cost: £ plus VAT Sadler Gallery room hire Private and Commercial Monday to Friday Full day (9am - 5pm) £250 + Vat Monday to Friday Half day (9am - 12.45pm) (1.15pm - 5pm) £125 + Vat Weekend / Evening 5pm onwards Hourly rate £65 +Vat Hire of downstairs Galleries for functions Hourly rate (Minimum 2 hour booking) £350 + Vat Opening time and location The Cooper Gallery is situated on Church Street in Barnsley Town Centre. We are a short walk from the town centre and from the transport interchange. Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm Saturday 10am to 3pm Sunday closed Education at the Cooper Gallery Alongside the changing exhibitions please look out for our exciting new project. Funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Cooper Gallery Trustees, Material History: Discovering the Cooper Gallery and Its Collection is a two year long project which brings together information about the Cooper Gallery's rich history, the collectors and its collection of paintings and drawings. In January 2011 there will be a fantastic exhibition showcasing all the research work and a large selection of paintings from the permanent collection, and from the end of February 2011 situated within the gallery exhibition spaces, there will be access to the collections and history of the Cooper Gallery via new technology. If you are interested in this project please telephone the Cooper Gallery, you don't need any experience, just a genuine interest in the arts, local history or both. For further information please contact The Cooper Gallery Church Street Barnsley South Yorkshire S70 2AH E-mail: coopergallery@barnsley.gov.uk Telephone: 01226 242905