Past Exhibitions
Here are (just a few of) our past exhibitions:
SELF: There’s More To Me Than What You See
May 2025 to May 2026
This exhibition is an exploration into identity that has been carefully crafted by artist Rob Young with local young people, all built on the foundations of a seemingly simple question, ‘Who are you?’. Immerse yourself in this interactive and imaginative exhibition, where every wall, door and surface will work to question identity.
Our Habitats Our Home
Temporary Exhibition
July 2024 to April 2025
Our beloved taxidermy bear Marco returned to Clifton Park Museum to explore the past, present, and future of Rotherham’s habitats in this temporary exhibition. We explored the habitats of Rotherham and the animals that live there, told Marco’s story, and learnt about the impact humans have had on habitats across the borough. This was an exhibition for the whole family, to spark curiosity and an appreciation of the natural world of Rotherham.
The (Un) Common People of Rotherham
Test Space
2024
Inspired by Clifton Park Museum’s exhibition Giants of Rotherham, local artists Chris Slater and Ken Horne decided the common folk that make up our community deserved a mention too.
Chris and Ken have worked together before, approaching the creation of portraits and self-portrait in different ways. In this exhibition they decided to challenge themselves by working in collage and using recycled materials.
Days of Laughter, Days of Pain: The Miners’ Strike
Temporary Exhibition
January 2024 to June 2024
2024 marked 40 years since the historic miners’ strike of 1984 to 5. Days of Laughter, Days of Pain explored the year of the strike from the organisation and mobilisation of pickets, rallies, and support groups in the spring and summer of 1984, through the intense struggle of autumn and winter, to the mass march back to work in March 1985.
Working in collaboration with Silverwood Colliery Heritage Group, the exhibition focused on how the strike is remembered across the borough, through archive and museum collections, and loans related to this historic event.
Giants of Rotherham
Temporary Exhibition
July 2023 to January 2024
Giants of Rotherham celebrated Rotherham’s larger-than-life characters. The inventors, entertainers, creators, daredevils and changemakers who have had big ideas and made enormous efforts and contributions to our borough.
This exhibition was a collaboration with internationally acclaimed performance storyteller, author and playwright Richard O’Neil, and Lydia Lapinski aka Thoughts Make Things; a Sheffield based illustrator, art director and designer.
A story of Hard Work, Pride and Solidarity
Test Space
2023
Silverwood Colliery closed in 1994 but is still very much a part of the communities surrounding it. This exhibition was created by the Silverwood Colliery Heritage group, who are proud of their coal mining heritage and wanted to ensure the story of the place is remembered for generations to come.
Through collecting objects and personal stories from the Silverwood coal mining community, they shared insights into the dangers surrounding the coal mine and what everyday life was really like for miners and their families.
UEFA 2022: From Grass Roots to Glory
Temporary Exhibition
June 2022 to October 2022
This exhibition charted the powerful and personal story of women’s football across Rotherham, inspired by the 2022 UEFA European Women’s Championship which was hosted in Rotherham. This was a way for people to discover where it all began; from the grassroots of Rotherham playing fields to the international pitches of European Championships.
We heard from local lionesses recounting their achievements, as well as women who have strived to give the game the centre stage it deserves.
Past Exhibits
SELF: There’s More To Me Than What You See
May 2025 to May 2026
An exploration into identity created by artist Rob Young with local young people, inviting visitors to question identity through an immersive and interactive experience.
Our Habitats Our Home
July 2024 to April 2025
Featuring the return of Marco the bear, this family-friendly exhibition explored Rotherham’s habitats, local wildlife, and human impact on the natural environment.
The (Un) Common People of Rotherham
2024
A Test Space exhibition by local artists Chris Slater and Ken Horne, celebrating the everyday people who make up Rotherham’s communities.
Days of Laughter, Days of Pain: The Miners’ Strike
January 2024 to June 2024
Marking 40 years since the 1984-85 Miners’ Strike, this exhibition explored the events of the strike and how it is remembered across Rotherham today.
Giants of Rotherham
July 2023 to January 2024
Celebrating the larger-than-life inventors, entertainers, creators, daredevils and changemakers who have shaped Rotherham.
A Story of Hard Work, Pride and Solidarity
2023
Created by the Silverwood Colliery Heritage Group, sharing stories, objects and memories from the Silverwood coal mining community.
UEFA 2022: From Grass Roots to Glory
June 2022 to October 2022
Exploring the story of women’s football in Rotherham, from local grassroots teams to the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 tournament.