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  "description": "A new outdoor exhibition has opened in Bethesda Gardens, giving residents and visitors the chance to experience life-sized artworks in the heart of the city centre.",
  "path": "/life-size-art-prints-bring-museum-collection-to-city-centre-gardens/",
  "publishedAt": "2026-07-02T10:49:29.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.thestaffordshiresignal.co.uk",
  "tags": [
    "Get Instant Updates"
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  "textContent": "Past Times explores everyday life across the generations through large-scale reproductions of paintings from Potteries Museum & Art Gallery’s collection.\n\nThe exhibition captures moments from everyday life across the generations, from scenes of work to family life and leisure, with a life-size portrait of Josiah Spode II among the highlights.\n\nOther highlights include works by acclaimed British and Irish artists John Currie, Roderic O’Conor and Ethel Gabain, alongside paintings by June Burnett, who lived and worked in Stoke-on-Trent.\n\nFollowing the success of becoming the first venue in the UK to host the National Gallery’s Art on Your Doorstep exhibition, the Potteries Museum & Art Gallery is reusing the specially designed outdoor display structures to showcase highlights from its own collection.\n\nThe exhibition also provides access to artworks from the museum’s collection while the art gallery is temporarily closed for essential building works as part of its multi-million-pound transformation.\n\nSome of the art on display\n\nCouncillor Sarah Hill, cabinet member for finance, anti-poverty and corporate services at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said:\n\n> “The National Gallery exhibition showed how well art can work in public spaces, so it’s fantastic to see these display structures being used again to showcase highlights from our own collection.\n\n> “Whether you're passing through the city centre, taking a break in Bethesda Gardens or making a special trip, Past Times offers the chance to discover some fantastic artworks in a different setting.\n\n> “The life-size prints bring people closer to the paintings and tell stories of everyday life that still resonate today.\n\n> “It’s another great way of bringing art into everyday spaces and encouraging more people to discover the museum’s collection.”\n\nPast Times is free to visit in Bethesda Gardens until 31 January 2027.\n\n### Join The Staffordshire Signal on WhatsApp\n\nNever miss a single breaking update, local news story, community event, or deep dive. See everything happening in Staffordshire first, straight to your phone!\n\n\nGet Instant Updates\n\n\n\nExplore the heart of our county Use the interactive map above to discover local landmarks, heritage sites, and community-vetted spots. Every interaction helps support **The Staffordshire Signal’s** mission to keep local news free and independent.\n\n####  Enjoyed this story?\n\nThe Staffordshire Signal is a not-for-profit, community-funded publication. Every tip helps keep local journalism free, independent, and focused on the stories that matter across Staffordshire.\n\nEvery contribution supports reporting, photography, and storytelling across the county.\n\nSupport independent local journalism by selecting ****The Staffordshire Signal**** as a ‘Preferred Source’ on Google. Help us stay front-and-centre in your news feed.",
  "title": "Life-size art prints bring museum collection to city centre gardens",
  "updatedAt": "2026-07-02T10:49:29.766Z"
}