No Paint, No Gain
By Jack Welch, Volunteer Press Officer
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Lee and Pippa moving (by hand) one of the glass cabinets.
The lift is next to them. |
With paintbrushes and kettle boiling at the ready, it can only mean that DYR are now in the culminative stages of the most anticipated museum exhibition of the year. As the select number of volunteers entered the area where the transformation will take place at the tender hour of 9am, it was to battle stations. We started the long process and becoming familiar with the fine specifics of exhibition installation. This included a very efficient lift trolley for the glass cabinets and discussions for the colour of our walls. Much deliberation ensured that we finally settled for the aptly titled 'Carnival Time' paint colour, (find out more when you come to the exhibition)! The pressure was at full throttle in order to complete on time our scheduled tasks by July 14th.
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| The first strokes of success! |
With the selection of paint accomplished, it was left to the brave efforts of Edward and Jenny to venture outside (in the rain!) and collect sample pots of the chosen paint. Meanwhile, a base station was established for borrowed laptops and the necessary collection of objects and exhibition material at our museum HQ ready to put on display with labels. Much discussion fell onto our list of objectives and who was going to do what and when... Jenny reflected "It was very rewarding to see the first coat of paint on by the end of the morning and it was good to see the exhibition coming together."
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Amy holds the paint tray as Edward finishes
his work. |
A tea break was now in order as many hours had passed. After having a drink, the painting continued as we worked our way up from the skirting board. Much praise must go to Ashley who was responsible for the early stages of our effort. The very man himself commented "It was good to transform all the blue bits to orange on there. It didn't look very good." But as the rush to lunchtime approached, groups formed by Edward and Amy and Jenny and Jack stepped up to fill the highest crevices and finish our first can of paint. At lunch, plans for our exciting celebrations in September and the opening day itself took place, with cakes, scribbles and giggles along the way! Top secret for now, though.
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| A cabinet meeting takes place. |
In the afternoon, due to sudden shortages of the paint colour, our attentions turned to the formation of the timeline. By drawing the timeline to scale with accurate measurements, we could see how the various decades would be displayed on the wall.
The selection of overall colour of the timeline was negotiated to an appropriate shade of blue.
