Into the Stores

Explore the stories and secrets behind dozens of works as we bring the collection stores into the public galleries at the Ferens.

Imagine walking into the Ferens Art Gallery on a chilly March morning in 2026, the quiet hum of the space pulling you in like an old friend's living room. Right now, through May 4th, "Into the Stores" lets you peek behind the curtain.

You step among storage racks and crates, the faint scent of aged paper and careful wood in the air. Paintings lean gently, some still wrapped or frameless, showing how these delicate pieces are protected and moved with such quiet care. You get to play curator, trying different ways to hang or light them, reading the stories in the brushstrokes, maybe even writing your own label for one.

Old favourites mingle with hidden gems pulled from deep storage: rare drawings, paintings, sculptures, and works on paper from the vast Frank Brangwyn archive, each carrying a quiet, waiting story of adventure or insight.

It's a gentle nudge to feel connected, share your ideas for the gallery's future as we near its 100th birthday in 2027. A simple visit becomes something shared, a small part in keeping these treasures and their tales alive. 

Come see it while it's here; it's waiting for you.