New STEAM exhibition to focus on the art of publicity
A number of striking publicity materials produced by the GWR will form the basis of a new exhibition at STEAM – Museum of the Great Western Railway.
Entitled The Art of Publicity, the special exhibition opens 8th January and focuses on the artwork used to publicise tourist destinations along the GWR’s routes.
Visitors to STEAM will discover the ways in which the Great Western Railway’s publicity department worked hard to advertise the company’s service and encourage holiday makers to travel by rail. This included employing some of the finest graphic designers of the time to produce the artwork for its posters.
The new exhibition includes railway posters and beautiful carriage prints from the STEAM collection. To accompany the new exhibition, visitors are invited to join STEAM on a virtual journey through time across the GWR network. On a monthly basis during 2018, STEAM social media channels will share a picture of a location along the GWR route, beginning at Paddington Station in London, travelling west and ending in Penzance in Cornwall.
Cllr Garry Perkins, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member responsible for STEAM, said: “This is a fascinating exhibition and is a real must for anyone with an interest in the history of the GWR. Some of the posters and carriage prints are marvellous pieces of work and really bring to life how the GWR marketed the numerous destinations along its railway lines.”
The museum will also share various historical photographs, illustrations and vintage railway posters throughout the year. People can follow STEAM on Facebook and Twitter.
The Art of Publicity is included with standard STEAM admission, special event admission, and also to STEAM season ticket holders. STEAM is open every day Monday to Saturday between 10am and 5pm and on Sundays from 11am to 4pm.
A number of other images can be found in the STEAM Picture Library, where visitors can order bespoke prints and gifts at: www.steampicturelibrary.com