Action-packed programme

Feb 22 2008 by Barry Ellams, Chester Chronicle

CHESTER is a city of exhibitions and events during the coming months.

With plenty to see and do, city centre venues will draw on Chester’s historic past and exciting future, spanning the centuries from Rome to the Food and Drink Festival.

Whether you love flowers, Easter eggs, cooking or agriculture, come to Chester and enjoy a host of fun-packed and educational activities for all the family.

Chester Food and Drink Festival – Saturday, March 22- Monday, March 24

Chester Racecourse.

With more than 80 exhibitors featuring Cheshire and North West produce in the taste marquee and chef demonstrations.

For more information, visit www. chesterfoodanddrink.com.

FiesoleArte: Tradition and Creation – until Sunday, March 30

Grosvenor Museum, Exhibition Gallery Two.

FiesoleArte, an art school near Florence, teaches the traditional Italian artistic skills of drawing, working in fresco and graffito (an incised fresco technique) and painting in egg tempera and oil. The exhibition has been organised jointly with the University of Chester, some of whose lecturers and students study at FiesoleArte.

A Stranger’s Guide to Chester – until Thursday, April 3

Chester History & Heritage, St Michael’s Church.

What was it was like to be a 19th Century tourist in Chester? From the middle of the century the railways were bringing ever more visitors and the city became a major tourist centre. This exhibition looks at who visited Chester, where they stayed and what they would have seen.

Finds from the Amphitheatre – until Sunday, April 6

Grosvenor Museum, Newstead Gallery.

Work is currently in progress piecing together the evidence for what really happened in the arena. This is a small selection of Roman finds from Chester’s internationally important amphitheatre.

Salt of the Earth: Life in Rural Cheshire – until Sunday, April 6

Grosvenor Museum, Exhibition Gallery One.

With the exception of a strip down the middle and at the extreme edges, Cheshire is flat. Underneath the Cheshire plain an entire industry is working away to produce the majority of the country’s salt. Above ground, cows graze the green grass, farmers work the fields and produce the famous Cheshire cheese, and horses and riders gallop across the gentle landscape. This exhibition celebrates the life of rural Cheshire, its villages and centuries of traditions.

Fashioning Flowers & Foliage: Clothes Inspired by Gardens – Saturday, March 1-Sunday, August 3

Grosvenor Museum, Costume Gallery.

The colours, patterns and vibrant spirit of nature provide fertile ground in which fashion inspiration can blossom and grow. This exhibition brings together an array of clothing that transforms glorious gardens into glamorous gowns.

Having a go at fresco – Saturday, March 15

Grosvenor Museum, Education Workroom.

Try your hand at some of the techniques used by Italian artists to create Renaissance frescoes.

From 10.30am-12.30pm or 1.30-3.30pm. Suitable for families with children aged eight-11. £1 per person, book at Chester History & Heritage, on 402110.

3-D Easter Eggs – Tuesday, March 25

Chester History & Heritage, St Michael’s Church.

Children can make a hanging Easter decoration to take home.

From 1-3pm. £1 per child, drop-in event.

Design in Nature: Mixed Media Art Experience – Wednesday, March 26

The Grosvenor Museum, Education Workroom.

Join artist Tim Pugh for a morning working on mixed media drawing and an afternoon collecting natural material from Grosvenor Park and creating a collage. Please bring a packed lunch, sketch book, suitable clothing and camera if possible. Sponsored by Chester Decorative and Fine Arts Society.

From 10am-3pm. Suitable for ages 14- 16. £2, book at museum shop, on 01244 402005.

Mixed Media Art Experience – Thursday, March 27

Grosvenor Museum, Education Workroom.

Join artist Tim Pugh for a morning working on mixed media drawing and an afternoon collecting natural material from Grosvenor Park and creating a collage. Bring a packed lunch, sketch book, suitable clothing and camera if possible. Sponsored by Chester Decorative and Fine Arts Society.

From 10am-3pm. Suitable for ages 16- 18. £2, book at museum shop, on 01244 402005.

Easter Chickens – Thursday, March 27

Chester History & Heritage, St Michael’s Church.

Make a crafty Easter chick to take home and look after.

From 1-3pm. £1 per child, drop-in event.

Spring Banners – Friday, March 28

Grosvenor Museum, Newstead Gallery.

Make a banner covered in spring blossom to flutter in the breeze.

From 11am-noon or 2-3pm. £1, book at museum shop, on 01244 402005.

Hilly Horizons – Monday, March 31

Grosvenor Museum, Newstead Gallery.

Create a three-dimensional landscape picture.

From 11am-noon or 2-3pm. £1, book at museum shop, on 01244 402005.

Flowers with Meaning – Wednesday, May 28

Grosvenor Museum, Exhibition Gallery One.

Create a flower that has a special meaning. The Victorians used them to show their emotions.

Miniature Kitchen Gardens – Thursday, May 29

Grosvenor Museum, Exhibition Gallery One.

From 11am-noon or 2-3pm. £1, book at museum shop, on 01244 402005.