Beds Urban Sketchers at the Panacea Museum, early 2026
Originally published in Bedford Today (Times & Citzen) , 29/09/26
Exhibition from local artists extended
by Victoria Kahl
Panacea From and Inspired By
This varied art exhibition opened in early Summer, and has now been extended until Saturday 28th November, due to excellent feedback from visitors – including many making multiple trips!
A piece by Jon Clark
The Panacea Museum worked with local art group 'Beds Urban Sketchers' during the early months of 2026, asking them to create art of all kinds in response to the Museum’s buildings and the history and people of the Panacea Society.
The group are a local chapter of global organisation Urban Sketchers - a non-profit dedicated to growing a global community of artists, producing on-location drawings.
They meet once a month in a location in or around Bedford, with their mission to ‘raise the artistic, storytelling and educational value of observational drawing’. The meet- ups are free, and open to all ages and abilities.
Group organiser and artist Talia Giles said:
‘We were delighted to have been asked to create work in response to the Panacea Museum, the story of its inhabitants and the items on display in the collection. It’s fascinating seeing the different subject matter that our artists chose to observe and document, from the building exteriors to the rooms of ‘Founder’s House’, and the ‘Garden of Eden’. ‘
The exhibition includes 52 works including; watercolours, textiles, linoprints, collage and of course sketches.
'The Chapel', by Jacqui Saunders-Love
As part of this exhibition, local artist Jacqui-Saunders Love was commissioned to make two new works reflecting the architecture of the museum ’Campus’- this is as well as two loaned pieces, previously on display during 2025. Of the new sculptures, ‘The Chapel’ is a fresh addition to the exhibition for late September, only displayed very recently as part of the extra time now given to the artworks.
To join the Beds Urban Sketchers group and become part of a growing community, check these links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bedsurbansketchers
Instagram: @bedsurbansketchers
'Sir Jack Daw', by Lesley Jones
To celebrate the extension of this very special exhibition, there will be another ‘Public Drawing Day’ on Saturday 17th October, 10am - 2pm. Join the Beds Urban Sketchers volunteers as they draw across the site, and help visitors to have a go. The event is a drop-in, with no need to book.
The Panacea Museum is on Newnham Road in the heart of Bedford, telling the unusual story of the Panacea Society- a Christian group founded in 1919.
The Society created their own ‘Garden of Eden,’ with a community centred around the Victorian buildings that now house the museum, including ‘The Haven’, ‘Castleside’ (where you will find ‘Panacea: From and Inspired By’) and Mabel (Octavia) Barltrop’s home.
Museum opening hours for September: Thursday to Sunday, 11am- 5pm. Last entry 4.30pm.
Opening hours for October – November: Thursday to Saturday, 10am – 4pm. Last entry 3.30pm.
Entry to the museum and the exhibition is free.
