Volunteers – A role to play

Alan Wood, a volunteer guide at the recently extended and refurbished Pallant House Gallery, explains how his growing role is contributing to the gallerys development.
I first thought of taking up some kind of voluntary work in the community about two years after retiring from a post in public service. My opportunity came in 1998 when Pallant House Gallery in Chichester was seeking to expand its public information programme under a new director. The Gallery was then accommodated solely in a Grade I listed townhouse, built for a local businessman in 1713. Volunteer guides were being recruited to provide tours of the house and the art collections, and I became part of a small team. For me this was a golden opportunity to further a long-standing interest in fine art and a chance to make direct contact again with the public, something I had missed since retirement.

This was the beginning of a most interesting (and critical) period in the history of the Gallery, which had opened in 1982. Walter Hussey, Dean of Chichester Cathedral from 1955 to 1977, had provided the original bequest of about 100 paintings and drawings but with many subsequent gifts, only about 30% of the collection could be shown at any one time. The need for additional accommodation and refurbishment of the period house had become very urgent.

The Gallery closed to the public in 2003 with the start of construction work on a new wing, and re-opened in 2006. This was a very difficult period as it was essential to retain the support and commitment of the Friends of Pallant House and the large body of volunteers, without whom the gallery could not function. Everyone had the opportunity to keep up to date and involved with the project through a programme of frequent meetings, social events and the launch of a Gallery magazine. This quickly became, and remains, a vital avenue of communication, providing articles on the permanent collection and loan exhibitions, and details of forthcoming events.

For the guides there was the prospect of a steep learning curve. Much of the collection had been in store for some time and among the many new acquisitions there would be over 400 items, generously gifted to the gallery through The Art Fund, by the internationally renowned architect and collector Prof. Sir Colin St John Wilson. Many of these, including items from a collection of Pop Art, would be unfamiliar and help was most definitely required. The training programme devised by the Assistant Curator provided just the kind of support we needed through lectures, discussions, visits to other galleries and, most importantly, the provision of a substantial body of notes to which we could refer. From day one we needed the confidence to guide the public round a collection, which in many cases would be as new to us as the visitors. At first it was all rather daunting, but we can now relax and enjoy the experience. It is very rewarding to work as part of a team and to benefit from the opportunity this gives to exchange ideas and share the fruits of individual pieces of research.

Although it is very early days, the role of the guides is already expanding. Requests from local organisations and educational bodies for special tours and talks are increasing and, as there is only a small curatorial team, several of these are undertaken by the volunteer guides. We would like to build on these developments but first need to discuss with the professional staff how best to extend our knowledge, improve presentation and obtain feedback.

Pallant House Gallery may be unique in the way it relies so much on voluntary support, for day-to-day supervision of the exhibition rooms and interpretation of the collection. However, in this way it provides opportunities to be involved to a much greater extent and depth than might otherwise be the case. Maintaining the best possible relationships with the staff and establishing a reputation for reliability are essential for the success of this arrangement. For the future we look forward to assisting with the further development of services and responding to any challenges that might come our way. It can only get more interesting and rewarding.

To find out more about Pallant House Gallery, t: 01243 774557;
w: http://www.pallant.org.uk