Free Saturdays at The Lighthouse

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Entry to The Lighthouse is to be free on Saturdays from 24 May 2008 it was announced today. The award-winning National Architecture and Design Centre will henceforth be throwing open the doors to its acclaimed exhibitions on Saturdays and also programming a range of exciting weekend events and family workshops.

“Because we are not funded like Scotland’s museums and galleries we have not been able to offer free entry to the building,” says Nick Barley, Executive Director of The Lighthouse. “Now with support from The Scottish Government we are able to make Saturdays free. We hope that even more people will come along to see the wide-ranging exhibitions and enjoy our new programme of weekend events.”

The first free Saturday, 24 May, sees the top floor gallery of the Mitchell Lane building being converted into an amazing craft fair in a joint venture between The Lighthouse and Craft Mafia. Explore the pick of over forty stalls and be treated to the sounds of rock’n’roll rebels, honkytonkers and vintage drag on the decks. 

The following weekend there will be a special Empire Tea Party marking the 70th anniversary of the opening of the Glasgow Empire Exhibition. Coinciding with the screenings of rare amateur and documentary films of the exhibition, currently on show at The Lighthouse, the Tea Party is a chance to come and share memories of visits to the original exhibition in Bellahouston Park whilst enjoying a cup of tea and an Empire biscuit.

The Lighthouse also announced today that in partnership with Scot Tours it will be organising a series of walking tours of Glasgow. On 24 May enjoy Art Nouveau tours (visiting celebrated landmarks such as the Glasgow School of Art) in the morning and afternoon. From the 31 May the Art Nouveau tours will run at 11am and be complemented by afternoon visits to The Merchant City at 3pm (looking at the history and architecture of what is now celebrated as Glasgow’s cultural quarter). Tours will normally cost £7 (£5 concession) each or £10 (£8 concession) for both. Art Nouveau tours at 11am  & and 3pm on 24 May will be free to mark the launch of The Lighthouse’s free Saturday initiative.

For full details of the events programme and family workshops on offer in the coming weeks visit www.thelighthouse,co.uk. To pre-book places on the walking tours call 0141 221 6362 or pick up a ticket at The Lighthouse on the day.

The Lighthouse, 11 Mitchell Lane, Glasgow G1 is open:
Monday and Wednesday – Saturday from 10.30am – 5pm, Tuesday from 11am – 5pm 
Sunday from 12 noon – 5pm. 

Individual tickets giving access to all areas of the building are priced £3 adults, concessions and children from £1. A range of membership and multi-visit tickets also available.  Free on Saturdays from 24 May.
Public Information: +44 (0) 141 221 6362. or www.thelighthouse.co.uk

ENDS

Issued on behalf of The Lighthouse by New Century PR. For further information, images and interviews contact:
Lesley Booth  0779 941 4474 lesley@newcenturypr.com