Devon


<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/09/VictoriaHeadshot_01.jpg" alt="Victoria Pomery CEO of The Box Plymouth " class="wp-image-80231" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/09/VictoriaHeadshot_01.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/09/VictoriaHeadshot_01-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/09/VictoriaHeadshot_01-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/09/VictoriaHeadshot_01-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Credit Dom Moore&nbsp;</figcaption></figure>



<p>After 19 years as founding director of Margate&#8217;s hugely successful Turner Contemporary, Victoria Pomery OBE upped sticks from the South East and moved to our neck of the woods to take the helm of <a href="https://www.theboxplymouth.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Box</a>, Plymouth&#8217;s multimillion museum and gallery. She&#8217;s known for having a passion for connecting communities with culture, and for her belief that art can inspire social change. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="720" height="480" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/12/box-exterior-720x480.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-37701" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/12/box-exterior-720x480.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/12/box-exterior-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/12/box-exterior-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/12/box-exterior-787x525.jpg 787w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/12/box-exterior.jpg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px" /></figure>



<p>What with The Box scooping the Muddy Award 2024 for Best Family Attraction, and Best Arts &amp; Culture 2025, she&#8217;s obviously been doing something <em>very</em> right. With The Box turning 5 this month, it&#8217;s time for a catch up.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-did-you-get-where-you-are-today">How did you get where you are today?</h2>



<p>Determination! And by having a lot of ambition for the organisations I&#8217;m working with. Art can inspire change. Before the <a href="https://turnercontemporary.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Turner Gallery</a> opened, Margate was just another down-at-heel seaside town which had seen better days. When the gallery was opened (by the Queen in 2011), it brought about a huge transformation &#8211; bringing in more creatives, more holiday-makers and day visitors. Culture was a real driver for change for the better, and that change generates civic pride, all of which drives me and what I do.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-any-advice-for-young-people-wanting-to-get-into-art-as-a-career">Any advice for young people wanting to get into art as a career?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1480" height="986" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/07/box-marine.jpg" alt="young girl writing at The Box Plymouth " class="wp-image-45568" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/07/box-marine.jpg 1480w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/07/box-marine-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/07/box-marine-1000x666.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/07/box-marine-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/07/box-marine-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1480px) 100vw, 1480px" /></figure>



<p>There are lots of careers in art, from finance, to marketing, as well as technicians and curators. It&#8217;s very competitive, so you have to be prepared to be not only creative, but also very adaptable and fleet of foot. It&#8217;s usually a very academic path to become a curator, requiring a degree in art history, from BA to MA and PhD but things are changing.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-s-your-vision-for-the-box">What&#8217;s your vision for The Box?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="656" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/12/box-archives.jpg" alt="archives at The Box Plymouth " class="wp-image-37703" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/12/box-archives.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/12/box-archives-300x197.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/12/box-archives-720x472.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/12/box-archives-768x504.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/12/box-archives-800x525.jpg 800w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>The Box is an incredible resource &#8211; a gallery, media and film, natural history and archive of Devon heritage. We want more people to access Plymouth&#8217;s incredible history, to learn about its wartime and maritime history, and its role in empire. To be a place for locals and tourists, a learning resource for people in formal education (and not), for everybody from under 5s to over 55s and everyone in-between.  </p>



<p>Our ambition is to bring exhibitions and commissions of national and international quality to Plymouth and West Country audiences, weaving the historical and contemporary together to help us understand more about the world we live in, as well as share and celebrate the importance of history and creativity.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-any-forthcoming-exhibitions-we-should-have-on-our-radar">Any forthcoming exhibitions we should have on our radar?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1760" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/07/Bingo-by-Beryl-Cook.-Acquired-with-assistance-from-the-VA-Purchase-Grant-Fund-and-the-Art-Fund.-Courtesy-of-www.ourberylcook.com-©-John-Cook-2025.jpg" alt="Bingo-by-Beryl-Cook.-Acquired-with-assistance-from-the-VA-Purchase-Grant-Fund-and-the-Art-Fund.-Courtesy-of-www.ourberylcook.com-©-John-Cook-2025.jpg" class="wp-image-77710" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/07/Bingo-by-Beryl-Cook.-Acquired-with-assistance-from-the-VA-Purchase-Grant-Fund-and-the-Art-Fund.-Courtesy-of-www.ourberylcook.com-©-John-Cook-2025.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/07/Bingo-by-Beryl-Cook.-Acquired-with-assistance-from-the-VA-Purchase-Grant-Fund-and-the-Art-Fund.-Courtesy-of-www.ourberylcook.com-©-John-Cook-2025-455x800.jpg 455w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/07/Bingo-by-Beryl-Cook.-Acquired-with-assistance-from-the-VA-Purchase-Grant-Fund-and-the-Art-Fund.-Courtesy-of-www.ourberylcook.com-©-John-Cook-2025-568x1000.jpg 568w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/07/Bingo-by-Beryl-Cook.-Acquired-with-assistance-from-the-VA-Purchase-Grant-Fund-and-the-Art-Fund.-Courtesy-of-www.ourberylcook.com-©-John-Cook-2025-768x1352.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/07/Bingo-by-Beryl-Cook.-Acquired-with-assistance-from-the-VA-Purchase-Grant-Fund-and-the-Art-Fund.-Courtesy-of-www.ourberylcook.com-©-John-Cook-2025-873x1536.jpg 873w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Bingo by Beryl Cook. Acquired with assistance from the VA Purchase Grant Fund and the Art Fund. Courtesy of www.ourberylcook.com © John Cook 2025 </figcaption></figure>



<p>This <a href="https://www.theboxplymouth.com/events" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">autumn/winter</a> we’re part of the UK/Poland Season 2025 and are showcasing work by 23 internationally acclaimed artists including Turner Prize winner Grayson Perry (some of his stunning tapestries will be on show) and Turner Prize nominee Goshka Macuga in Remember Respond Resist (4 Oct 2025-11 Jan 2026). The upcoming 2026 partnership,&nbsp;<em>Journeys with Mai</em>, with the National Portrait Gallery will bring Sir Joshua Reynolds&#8217;&nbsp;<em>Portrait of Mai (Omai)</em>&nbsp;to Plymouth (14 Feb-14 Jun 2026) – and, of course we have our major retrospective to celebrate Beryl Cook in her centenary year (24 Jan-31 May 2026) which will reposition her contribution to British art history and showcase more than 80 of her original and instantly recognisable&nbsp;paintings.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-are-the-box-must-sees-if-you-only-have-an-hour-or-two">What are The Box must-sees if you only have an hour or two?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="749" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/08/Mammoth-at-The-Box1.-Image-by-Andrew-Meredith-1000x749.jpg" alt="replica of the woolly mammoth at The Box Plymouth " class="wp-image-68285" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/08/Mammoth-at-The-Box1.-Image-by-Andrew-Meredith-1000x749.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/08/Mammoth-at-The-Box1.-Image-by-Andrew-Meredith-800x599.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/08/Mammoth-at-The-Box1.-Image-by-Andrew-Meredith-768x575.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/08/Mammoth-at-The-Box1.-Image-by-Andrew-Meredith.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Box/Andrew Meredith </figcaption></figure>



<p>Look at the replica of the <a href="https://www.theboxplymouth.com/permanent-galleries/mammoth" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">woolly mammoth</a>, watch the immersive film about <a href="https://www.theboxplymouth.com/permanent-galleries/port-of-plymouth" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Plymouth</a>, which gives you a brilliant insight into the founding of the city. People often don&#8217;t realise that <a href="https://www.theboxplymouth.com/storage/st-lukes-brochure-a4-1624630842.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">St Luke&#8217;s</a> opposite is part of The Box. The church has been beautifully refurbished and houses wonderful temporary exhibitions. Don&#8217;t be nervous if you&#8217;re not a natural museum visitor (like me going to a football match!) There&#8217;s so much to see, don&#8217;t try and do it all in one day. keep coming back. It&#8217;s free after all.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-favourite-part-of-your-job">Favourite part of your job?</h2>



<p>Installing shows, working with the artists, making the behind the scenes&#8217; work real, throwing ideas around and thinking about the audiences. I love hearing what visitors think, and creating places where people can come together around art.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-and-your-least-favourite">And your least favourite?</h2>



<p>Probably the paperwork and the bureaucracy.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-do-you-manage-the-work-life-balance">How do you manage the work life balance?</h2>



<p>I&#8217;m not a brilliant example, although I do think it&#8217;s very important to take time out for yourself. When I do get round to it, it might be a trip on the <a href="https://www.plymouthboattrips.co.uk/ferries/cremyll-ferry/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cremyll Ferry</a> to Mount Edgcumbe in Cornwall, or a walk on Dartmoor. I love a National Trust property too. My local favourite is <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/devon/buckland-abbey" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Buckland Abbey</a> &#8211; I love the landscape and the Tamar Valley views.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-are-your-cultural-go-tos-locally">What are your cultural go-tos locally?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/07/harbour-house.jpeg" alt="Harbour House Kingsbridge " class="wp-image-67636" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/07/harbour-house.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/07/harbour-house-800x533.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/07/harbour-house-1000x667.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/07/harbour-house-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p><a href="https://harbourhouse.org.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Harbour House</a> in Kingsbridge (above) has a new director and is home to a yoga studio, along with a good café and gallery. <a href="https://www.burtonartgallery.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Burton at Bideford</a> has a great collection of craft and really good programme of exhibitions. I also go to the annual Bovey <a href="https://www.craftfestival.co.uk/Bovey-Tracey/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Craft Festival</a> to see makers from right across the county. There are lots of under the radar Devon artists, who live here because they like it that way.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-favourite-plymouth-places-for-a-day-trip">Favourite Plymouth places for a day trip?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1129" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/02/rwy-everyman.jpg" alt="Royal William Yard " class="wp-image-53023" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/02/rwy-everyman.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/02/rwy-everyman-800x602.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/02/rwy-everyman-1000x753.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/02/rwy-everyman-768x578.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/02/rwy-everyman-698x525.jpg 698w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p><a href="https://royalwilliamyard.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Royal William Yard</a> is such an incredible asset, and it&#8217;s just amazing for the views. Plymouth is relatively large city and yet its very walkable, and you can swim right off the front. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-does-culture-as-a-catalyst-for-place-based-regeneration-work-in-reality">How does &#8216;culture as a catalyst for place-based regeneration&#8217; work in reality?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="972" height="558" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/06/messenger.jpg" alt="Theatre Royal Plymouth and The Messenger by Joseph Hillier" class="wp-image-66698" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/06/messenger.jpg 972w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/06/messenger-800x459.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/06/messenger-768x441.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 972px) 100vw, 972px" /></figure>



<p>It can put a place on the map, help with inward investment, engage people to come from elsewhere, both as tourists or to relocate. Culture can really drive change &#8211; think of cities like Liverpool and Manchester which have both seen huge regeneration due to its culture. </p>



<p>Plymouth has changed a lot in the last ten years or so, in music, film and photography. Look at <a href="https://theatreroyal.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Theatre Royal Plymouth</a> (above) and its world-class scene and construction space, TR2. But there&#8217;s still lots to do.</p>



<p>We need to be proud of our historical identity and old industries, as much as the new, and culture needs to be embedded in the life of the city if it&#8217;s to raise the profile of both the city and the region. </p>



<p><strong><em><a href="https://www.theboxplymouth.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Box</a>, Tavistock Pl, Plymouth PL4 8AX. Open Tues &#8211; Sunday 10am-5pm, closed Mondays. Free except for visiting exhibitions.  </em></strong></p>


The Box Museum is 5! Muddy meets CEO Victoria Pomery

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