Exhibition on Screen

Whilst my job title here at St Mary Redcliffe may be Governance & Administration Officer, I am always grateful for opportunities to utilise some of the skills – and connections – I gathered when working in the cinema industry. When I was working as the programmer at The Flavel, a small mixed-purpose arts centre in Dartmouth, I made sure that despite only having one cinema screen, we delivered a diverse and mixed programme.

I remember jumping at any opportunity to run any of the Exhibition on Screen films – beautifully crafted documentaries that shed light on artists and their work. Despite barely having enough knowledge of art history to write on a matchbox, I always found these films compelling, and loved the concept of bringing the art gallery experience into a cinema setting. Allowing these magnificent, historic works to be experienced on a large screen, with the ability to zoom and focus in on particular details, always struck me as a wonderful idea. You truly feel like you’re stepping into the paintings. And it seems I’m not the only one taken by these films – a network of over 1500 cinemas regularly screen from Exhibition on Screen’s catalogue of over 40 films in over 60 countries. Their 2023 film Vermeer: The Greatest Exhibition even holds the record of the UK’s most successful art film.

It is very exciting, then, that we – myself along with the Heritage, Visitors and Commercial department of Rhys Williams, Rebecca Horry and Lucy Marshall – have begun a relationship with Exhibition on Screen to start showing their films in church! We are thrilled to be showing Easter in Art on Wednesday 25th March, and even more thrilled that Phil Grabsky – who founded Seventh Art Productions, the company behind these films, in 1984 – has provided a special video introduction for the screening.

We really hope that you can come along and support this screening, so that we may show more of their films in the future. There are a great many to choose from, although we are keeping our fingers firmly crossed that one day they might produce one on William Hogarth and show off the wonderful altarpiece that was painted for St Mary Redcliffe in 1755-56, currently housed at St Nicholas Church.

I really hope to see you at the screening, and do keep your eyes peeled for more later in the year.

BOOK TICKETS HERE

Sam Love

18.03.2026

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By rebecca.horry • March 13, 2026

As the new season begins, it feels full of potential as new life appears around us and the days grow longer. Spring brings a natural sense of renewal, and it feels like a particularly special time in the life of our church. I’m delighted that our building will be hosting several events that explore the story and meaning of Easter in different ways. One highlight will be hosting Riding Lights Theatre Company presenting Night Falls, a new Passion play by Paul Birch, offering a powerful retelling of the Easter story. We hope it will be meaningful for both members of our congregation and visitors who join us. We are also looking forward to a screening from the Exhibition on Screen series exploring Easter in Art, reflecting on how artists across the centuries have interpreted the Passion and Resurrection. Our church shop continues to welcome visitors and regulars alike. Alongside cards, books, and gifts, I’m pleased to share that we have recently brought a new book supplier on board, helping us widen our range of titles for both children and adults exploring faith and the heritage of the church. I’ve also been delighted to help recruit several new volunteers to help run church tours, and we hope this will allow us to expand our tour offer and share the story of the church with even more visitors. If you see them in the church please help welcome them to the team. Behind the scenes, we continue working to welcome concerts and other events into the church. Our beautiful space lends itself wonderfully to music, and these events not only bring people together but also help support the care and future of the building. Over the coming months, we look forward to hosting a range of concerts and cultural events, welcoming audiences from across the local area and beyond. If you know of choirs, ensembles, or promoters looking for a distinctive venue, please do point them in our direction. Thank you to everyone who supports these activities by volunteering, attending events, shopping in the shop, or spreading the word. Recca Horry , Commercial Manager 13.03.2026