New exhibitions at Pontefract Museum

Two new exhibitions have just opened at Pontefract Museum!

Ladies who Launch: Celebrating Pontefract's Women in Business

13 November 2023 - 19 October 2024
Free - no booking required

Yonder Events bringing the vibes at their famous Yonder at the Castle event

Explore the fascinating history of female entrepreneurs in Pontefract in Ladies who Launch, a new interactive and immersive exhibition.

Get hands on and try some of the trades from past and present.

Step back in time to sample the sights and scents of Victorian Pontefract. Discover the local women leading businesses in sometimes surprising industries.

Celebrate the success stories of today’s inspirational businesswomen - from indulgent skincare and beautiful bouquets to therapeutic yoga and exhilarating events.

Tell us about the amazing women in your lives with our comment wall!

The exhibition features local entrepreneurs Michelle and Karen (Michelle's Flowers Ltd), Rachel and Hayley (Yonder Events), Emma (Santosha Yoga Studio) and Hollie and Lorna (Wild and Wood Skincare).

A fantastic team of Volunteer Researchers conducted research into four local Victorian businesswomen. Many thanks to Alice, Jennifer, Julia and Samuel for helping us to share these stories.

More information about the Ladies who Launch exhibition 

Boxed In (From Whence You Came) by Fern Woodhead 

13 November 2023 - 19 October 2024
Free - no booking required

'Boxed In (From Whence You Came)' by Fern Woodhead, now on display at Pontefract Museum

Boxed In (From Whence You Came) is a brand-new artwork by Pontefract’s own Fern Woodhead (they / them).

The artwork explores Fern’s feelings about “being a queer person in an inherently non-queer society.” The striking oil pastel self-portrait is a response to Fern’s identity as a non-binary person and lesbian.

The display also features supporting commentary written by Fern along with personal items they have kindly lent for the exhibition. These include the Grayson’s Art Club exhibition catalogue in which they feature, and a hand-made crocheted lesbian pride flag.

Fern hopes that the exhibition will raise awareness and start conversations around sexuality and gender identity. Wakefield Museums & Castles are very proud to acquire and display such an important and inspiring artwork and to showcase exciting local talent like Fern. The acquisition contributes to ongoing work to diversify the collection so that it represents a wide range of people’s lived experiences.

Fern says "With this exhibition, I hope that we can bring more awareness and start more conversations about identity – all of us have an identity, so why shouldn’t we talk about it?"

Fern's full commentary on 'Boxed In (From Whence You Came)' and more information

Visitor and access information for Pontefract Museum