The Grinling Gibbons Society’s aim is to help the nation celebrate Gibbons’ extraordinary impact on Britain’s heritage across the passage of 300 years. We want to inspire learning and debate, making and research, enabling audiences to have the opportunity to see Gibbons’ work either for the first time or in new ways with new perspectives.
To celebrate the tercentenary of Gibbons’ death in August 2021, the GGS is coordinating a nation-wide tercentenary festival and programme of public events, creative projects, tours, online content and resources, as well as a major national touring exhibition .
Grinling Gibbons 300 is just the beginning and the vision is for a legacy that goes well beyond 2021 through newly created objects and special projects. Importantly, the tercentenary will act as a foundation for inspiring new generations of talented carvers, sculptors and makers. The GGS is creating a Traineeship programme and National Tercentennial Award, to support emerging makers and the ongoing development of the skills and creativity as advanced by Gibbons.
Collaboration is key and the GGS is working in partnership across the UK and internationally on this important anniversary. It seeks to bring a range of interests (curatorial, conservation, practitioner) together, encouraging dialogue across disciplines and sharing new research and knowledge.
At a time when we are challenged to think more than ever about sustainability and resources, the Society also seeks to champion durability, use of natural materials and handcrafted processes.
Find out here, how you can support our vision by becoming a Founder or Benefactor.