Welcome to the New Art Gallery Walsall online catalogue. This catalogue has been designed for searches related to the Gallery Collection (the Garman Ryan Collection and the Permanent Collection of art) and the Art Library and Archives. For more general information about the New Art Gallery Walsall, including the temporary exhibitions programme, visitor information and contact details please refer to gallery homepage: www.artatwalsall.org.uk.

This distinguished collection of art contains over 365 works. The collection was donated to the borough in 1972 by Lady Kathleen Epstein, second wife of the sculptor Jacob Epstein. As such, Epstein’s work is very well represented in the collection, alongside other significant works by major European artists. The collection originally grew from Jacob Epstein’s own private collection and hence historical artefacts from all over the world supplement Western treasures. The majority of the Garman Ryan Collection is usually on display in the specially designed Garman Ryan galleries.

The permanent collection is an open collection which means that new works are being acquired frequently. It consists of over 1,500 art works in many different media from the nineteenth; twentieth and twenty-first centuries. Many works have relation to the town of Walsall (local artists, topographical views) and others have been bought from contemporary exhibitions held at the gallery. Works from the permanent collection are not necessarily on display. Please contact the Art Library if you are unsure of a work’s location or to arrange access.

All the books in the Art Library are reference only but photocopiers and scanning equipment are provided. Visitors to the library are welcome to help themselves to books and read at their own leisure. The Art Library provides a comfortable and quiet area for private study or recreational reading. DVDs and CD-ROMs related to the art collection and to the gallery are also available to view.

Additionally, the Art Library contains a wide variety of journals and magazines. Computer access, including the internet is also available for researchers and for general public use.

The archive is accessed through the library. It contains documents, photographs and other resources related to both permanent collections of art and to the New Art Gallery Walsall in general.

The Art Library is open from 10am-5pm Tuesday – Saturday. Staff are always available to assist with any enquiry. It is not necessary to book an appointment as the library is a drop in resource. It may be advisable to contact the library before your visit if you wish to consult something specific.

For any enquiries relating to your search or general enquiries about the art collection or the library and archives please contact the Art Library directly.