Cannon Hall's exhibition plans are booming

Cannon Hall Museum, Park and Gardens have announced that a very special exhibition will be arriving to the Hall in late summer next year.

They look forward to hosting the prestigious International Garden Photographer of the Year (IGPOTY) touring exhibition number thirteen, which for the very first time will see artwork displayed both inside and outside the Hall. Work included is exquisite, hand-picked pieces from a selection of award-winning entries.

From delicate garden scenes to detailed close-ups of horticulture - the images are truly a sight to behold. What better place to see the magnificent pictures than with the Georgian Country House and its breath-taking gardens as the backdrop - bringing together the beauty of photography with the natural environment.

Now in its thirteenth year, International Garden Photographer of the Year was started by a group of professional garden photographers and has quickly grown to become the world's premier competition and exhibition specialising in garden, plant, flower and botanical photography.

It is run in association with the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, United Kingdom. The main exhibition is held annually at Kew, with a rolling programme of touring exhibitions in the UK, Éire and all over the world, other hosts for the touring exhibition include Blenheim Palace and Blarney Castle.

To celebrate the arrival of the exhibition Cannon Hall Museum has teamed up with IGPOTY to create a free-to-enter competition - ‘Beautiful Barnsley’. The borough is a picturesque place and an inspiring location for all types of outdoor photography. From the historic gardens of Cannon Hall and NT Wentworth Castle Gardens to the range of horticulture found at places such as Worsbrough and RSPB Old Moor, there are lots of opportunities to capture that perfect shot.

The competition, which will be judged by International Garden Photographer of the Year and Kyte Photography, is open to all adults, anywhere in the world. Images do not have to be taken in a specified year. There is no distinction drawn between professional and amateur photographers. The competition opens on Friday, 16 August 2019.

An exciting prize is on offer to the 1st place winner including; prize copy of IGPOTY Book 13, inclusion in the IGPOTY/Cannon Hall indoor exhibition and display at NT Wentworth Castle Gardens, signed individual certificate and a behind the scenes day with the National Trust at Wentworth Castle Gardens including a delightful lunch and cream tea.

Prizes are also available for 2nd and 3rd places and up to twenty awarded entries will be printed and framed by Barnsley Museums to be on display in an IGPOTY Special Award Indoor Exhibition at Cannon Hall Museum from 25 September 2020 – 28 February 2021.

Matt Gladstone, Executive Director for Place said:

We are astounded by the quality of exhibitions that are hosted at Barnsley Museums; their ambition in bringing the biggest names to the borough is to be applauded. The exhibition is a perfect fit for Cannon Hall Museum, Park and Gardens which is a much loved visitor attraction not only in Barnsley but in Yorkshire – their parklands are some of the most picturesque in the region and have been the backdrop for many perfect pictures.

James McGlinchey, Exhibitions Manager, International Garden Photographer of the Year said:

Cannon Hall Museum, Park and Gardens is one of the finest cultural venues in South Yorkshire – it combines classical art and gardens together making it the ideal place to host the prestigious IGPOTY exhibition. This partnership has been elevated with the introduction of the ‘Beautiful Barnsley’ Special Award. With the Borough of Barnsley and IGPOTY’s combined reach we are able to attract domestic as well as international audiences with the aim to increase all visitors’ enjoyment of the gardens.

For full details about the exhibition and how to enter the competition please visit  igpoty.com/competitions/beautiful-barnsley-13