I'm Kevin Lang-Marsh and I'm the Curator of Art Exhibitions for Southend Museum Service. I've worked for Southend Museums for over 20 years.
The Beecroft Art Gallery takes its name from Walter Beecroft, a solicitor from nearby Leigh on Sea, who in 1953 bequeathed his fine art collection and a former hotel, to house the town's first art gallery. Not only that Beecroft, left funds that have enabled us to build on his legacy. In addition, our collection of over 2,000 works includes the historic local scenes bequeathed by Sydney Thorpe-Smith, another local solicitor.
From 1953 to 2012 our home was the former hotel purchased by Beecroft but circumstance has since 2014 given us a new space in the heart of Southend in the former Central Library building. The space has allowed us to show more of our wonderful historic collection and the opportunity to showcase some of the diverse artists that call Southend their home.
Our collection features Constable, Turner, Jacob Epstein, and a rich collection of sixteenth-century Flemish art, but I wanted to use taking part in Art Unlocked as an opportunity to highlight some of the less well-known works.
