Community Art Commission

Victoria Smith, The Men’s Pool, 2022, paper collage. Photo courtesy of Victoria Smith.

Did you swim, receive treatments, work or have any other involvement at the Royal Pump Rooms in Leamington before 1999? If the answer is yes, then the Leamington Spa Art Gallery and Museum needs you!

Artist Victoria Smith was commissioned by the Leamington Spa Art Gallery and Museum to complete five works of art representing the history of the Royal Pump Rooms from the 1820s to the 1950s. She would now like to complete the set with a collage that represents the current residents of Leamington who have had a connection to the building before 1999.

Who? Anybody who used, visited or worked at the Pump Rooms before 1999 or were involved in the conversion of it to a library, art gallery and museum. For example, anyone who swam in the pool, used the treatments or came along as a spectator to a swimming gala/ lesson etc.

When? Come along to the Art Gallery and have your photograph taken between 10 am and 3pm Thursday 6, Friday 7 or Saturday 8 June.

What would you have to do? Each person would have an informal photograph taken either sitting or standing. These pictures will be collaged into a picture of the main swimming pool (think the Beatles Sargent Peppers Album cover!)

What should you wear? Whatever you like! Normal clothes would be perfect but if you would like to wear a swimming costume (from the waist up) a swimming hat or bring along any prop you might have that would be amazing too!

What do you get in return? This is your chance to be part of a piece of artwork that will become part of the Leamington Art Gallery & Museum permanent collection. All participants will be invited to the unveiling of the picture and will receive a small print of the final piece as a thank you for taking part.