With 2009 marking the 200th anniversary of the famed naturalist's birth, it seemed entirely appropriate for Falmouth Art Gallery to stage a series of shows based around Darwin.
The Darwin 200 exhibitions have been funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and organised by the gallery working in partnership with Newquay Zoo, Penlee House Gallery and Museum, Penzance, and University College Falmouth.
The first of the four exhibitions, Voyages of Discovery, is on display now and celebrates Darwin's epic voyage and the discoveries he made on the Galapagos Islands.
The most important scientific journey of the 19th century was undertaken by Darwin on board The Beagle between 1831 and 1836, and that's where Falmouth comes in.
Throughout his travels, Darwin sent specimens back to this country via Falmouth, through the Packet Ships, such as the Duke of York and Emulous.
These specimens included insects, such as beetles, flies and moths packed in pill boxes; tropical plants and seeds; animals bottled in spirits as well as bones, skins, fossils and rocks, all of which had been collected and carried back to The Beagle by Darwin.
The ship finally returned to England after five years and moored at Falmouth on October 2, 1836, when it was welcomed by crowds of people.
Falmouth Art Gallery's exhibition celebrates Darwin's achievements along with some more recent voyages, such as Mark Webster's underwater explorations along the Cornish coast, Georgina Maxwell's collection of beach pollution, Jemima Whyatt's artistic awakening in Africa, and Anthony and Kate Fagin's photographic journey to the Galapagos Islands.
Voyages of Discovery runs until April 18 and will be followed throughout the year by Species, A Day at the Zoo and Expressions in Man and Animals.
To complement the exhibitions, the gallery is also planning an innovative community education programme which will involve animal and plant-themed activities. Family workshops will take place every Saturday, when anyone is welcome to drop in between 2 and 3pm to take part.
Falmouth Art Gallery is open between 10am and 5pm, Monday to Saturday, and entry is free.
For more information about the workshops and other events, contact Donna Williams on 01326 313863.
For the full article please visit The West Briton Newspaper - Thursday February 26th
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