Discover MK
The Discover MK Showcase area is on the first floor at Central Library. It is the primary showcase for the archive, museum and heritage of Milton Keynes and the surrounding area. It has a regularly changing series of exhibitions throughout the year and more information can be found on the Discover MK website.
MK Together - from 23 January 2023
A photographic exhibition celebrating the ways in which our community comes together – co-curated by Living Archive MK and city photographer Sagar Kharecha.
Over recent years it has been difficult for many communities to gather in person. This exhibition celebrates different communities across Milton Keynes as they come together: in protest, in commemoration or in celebration.
Living Archive MK has worked with local documentary photographer Sagar Kharecha. Sagar is dedicated to recording life in Milton Keynes in all its diversity. He describes himself as a ‘hyperlocal’ photographer, he shoots on 35mm black and white film, and he is fascinated by all aspects of life in the city.
The exhibition also features archive photos from Living Archive’s collections.
CONNEXIONS Art Exhibition at Central Library - 8 June to 8 July 2023
Visit the Event Space on the ground floor to see a selection of artwork by artists Clive Bryant, Mike Dales, Toby Michael, David Newens, Matt Waruszynski, Peter Bashford, Len Gifford and Csaba Tibor Palotas.
Please note that this exhibition has adult themes.
JOIN ME: Our 2020 Events - Memorial Quilt at Stony Stratford Library
Visit Stony Stratford Library to see this lockdown memorial quilt on display. It’s a community quilt project by Thread Thread Wine to memorialise the events that we most missed in 2020, whether cancelled, lost or postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Soraya Tate, founder of Thread Thread Wine
At Christmas 2020 I decided to make a memorial quilt, dedicated to acknowledging the events and opportunities that we lost in 2020.
- I would create a quilt square about my own losses.
- I would invite others to do the same about their losses.
- I would join the pieces to make a quilt.
- I would display the quilt in December 2021 at an event for the makers.
This is the project so far; I hope you enjoy viewing it and reading about it. We have 42 submissions and the quilt is 3m long.
We have made some of the squares into cards for sale, to raise money for the mental health charity MIND.
If you would like to contribute your artwork to this project, please email Soraya or visit the Thread Thread Wine (TTW) Facebook page.
Read more about the background to this project, the inspiration and the artists who have contributed by visiting the Memorial quilt project page.
OUR LOCAL WILDLIFE EXHIBITION at Central Library - 9 May to 3 June 2023
Visit the first floor at Central Library to see an exhibition of wildlife photography by Harry Appleyard.
Harry is a local photographer who has compiled images for the exhibition by studying the amazing wildlife that can be found around the many habitats of Milton Keynes. The exhibition features elusive mammals, rare migrating birds and some of the most photogenic insects in the area.
You can read more about Harry Appleyard and his photography on his website.