Exhibitions mark 20th anniversary of Attenborough Arts Centre

Twenty years of supporting and celebrating inclusivity and accessibility in the arts has been marked by the University of Leicester’s Attenborough Arts Centre as it reflected upon the anniversary of its historic opening by the late Lord Attenborough and Diana, Princess of Wales, on Saturday 27 May.

The centre was opened on 27 May 1997 by the then Sir Richard Attenborough (later Lord Attenborough) and Diana, Princess of Wales. In one of the Princess’s last public engagements, she was invited by Lord Attenborough to be guest of honour at the opening, touring the facilities and meeting with students demonstrating their artwork. Speaking at the time, she commented that, “in this beautiful building I have seen what I thought was impossible.”

You can view a selection of highlights from the Princess's and Lord Attenborough's tour in the photo gallery (right).

As part of its 20th anniversary, a series of new exhibitions exploring Leicester’s past and celebrating local artistic talent will be hosted at the centre from June, reflecting its now treasured role at heart of Leicester’s communities.

‘Leicester: Memories of Industry’ from Saturday 10 June – Sunday 20 August represents two new exhibitions exploring the influence of Leicester’s industrial legacy on its urban and natural landscapes. The exhibitions have been developed by local artists Diane E Hall, Graham Ensor and Robert Thacker, alongside sound and visual artist Lucy Stevens. A public preview of the exhibitions takes place on 9 June from 5.30pm – 8.00pm.

‘Alan Caine: Retrospective’ is a retrospective of the Leicester artist, tutor and former Associate Director at Attenborough Arts Centre, while ‘A Brush with Colour’ showcases over 500 postcard-sized works by 50 artists from the centre’s Creative Learning artists working to a brief set by tutor Jenny Grevatte. Alan Caine and Jenny Grevatte have given their own memories of the opening of the Attenborough Arts Centre.