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Jon Sleigh

@jonsleigh.bsky.social

980 followers 720 following 140 posts

Arts Educator & Learning Curator working nationally freelance. All views my own. (he/him) Author of ‘What Are Museums For?’ book link https://bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/what-are-museums-for

bristoluniversitypress.co.uk

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Jon Sleigh @jonsleigh.bsky.social · Nov 27

Meeting people who have read my book and connected with the emotion inside continues to move me deeply. A colleague recently said reading it ‘felt like a cup of tea with friends’ and that got me! 🥹 thanks to all who keep feeding back reviews, spotting copies in book shops and your kindness 🙌

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Jon Sleigh @jonsleigh.bsky.social · 1d

Inspiring morning interviewing the magical duo of artist Jermeny Deller and curator Emily Stone to explore the recent piece ‘The Triumph of Art’ c2025 at The National Gallery. A mindful conversation covering folk art, festivals, belonging, class, landscapes and our bodies 🤓🙌

Jon Sleigh @jonsleigh.bsky.social · 2d

Utterly joyful day working with my friends at Sheffield Museums on an exhibition consultation, using art to express identity. Of the many masterpieces I got to use my hands down favorite is this cheeky Satyr cup, c19 century maker unknown. What a face! 👌thanks to all who joined us

Jon Sleigh @jonsleigh.bsky.social · 6d

Beautiful day hosting ‘Silver Sunday’ at The Wallace Collection - craft, conversation and a tour from me in the Great Gallery set to music and storytelling. I was so moved at how many came and deeply engaged with us, massive thanks! My art highlight today has to be Van Dyke’s Paris c1628 🤓

Jon Sleigh @jonsleigh.bsky.social · 17d

Thanks and you all too - huge fan of the institute and the beautiful work you do ❤️👏

Jon Sleigh @jonsleigh.bsky.social · 17d

Beautiful experience today interviewing acclaimed artist Robert Taylor reading Queerness, class and belonging in uk art collections. Revisiting ‘Permissable Beauty’ c2023 at Historic Royal Palaces was deeply moving, as was our piece in focus ‘Ebony Rose Dark’ picture here ❤️

Jon Sleigh @jonsleigh.bsky.social · 23d

If you literally look beyond the politics it’s a reminder of the STUNNING artwork the government has at Chequers 🙌

Jon Sleigh @jonsleigh.bsky.social · 29d

A short lived vogue of the Jacobean court was to have it that low it showed the areola - 1610’s 🤓

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Jon Sleigh @jonsleigh.bsky.social · Sep 11

Lovely day working with my friends at the National Portrait Gallery full of wonder and sharing 🙌 the ‘magic’ time for me though is wandering the galleries at lunchtime, seeing works and spaces that feel like old chums I’m reunited with ❤️

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Jon Sleigh @jonsleigh.bsky.social · Sep 10

Dreadful visually and sloppy too, may have an emotional significance though to the painter or tomb? 🤔

Jon Sleigh @jonsleigh.bsky.social · Aug 20

This looks awesome 👏 🤓’saucy saints’ is genius bab 👌

Jon Sleigh @jonsleigh.bsky.social · Aug 5

Really special morning interviewing the brilliant artist Sunil Gupta exploring the intersection of social class, ethnicity, sexuality and belonging. Our starting point was the deeply moving Untitled #02 from the ‘London 1982’ series pictured at the Government Art Collection pictured here 🙌

Jon Sleigh @jonsleigh.bsky.social · Jul 29

2/2 at the Wallace it’s 2-4 - 30 / mins on gallery storytelling with object handing/ sensory interactions (last time studying light we used kaleidoscopes on the chandeliers) then an hour arts with breaks /tea and biscuits. Moving between galley and workshop takes 20 mins roughly but we never rush 😎

Jon Sleigh @jonsleigh.bsky.social · Jul 29

1/2 aww thanks lovely 🥰 they are wonderful and such a mix of emotions - spaces to be playful, laugh and be cheeky, but also spaces to be honest, emotional, reflective at times - mostly kind I hope

Jon Sleigh @jonsleigh.bsky.social · Jul 29

Very mindful and full of kindness - the defo ion of art working for people 🤓thankyou!

Jon Sleigh @jonsleigh.bsky.social · Jul 29

Session 3/4 of my dementia friendly storytelling residency at The Wallace Collection ❤️ such a mindful afternoon of discovery around Jan Van Huysum ‘Flowers in a Vase’ c1726 pictured here, lovingly remade in clay over tea and laughter ⭐️

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Jon Sleigh @jonsleigh.bsky.social · Jul 18

This looks BRILLIANT 🤓🙌🌈

Jack Shoulder @jackshoulder.bsky.social · Jul 18

More LGBTQIA+ history events in Bristol!
I'll be leading a series of tours around Bristol Museum and Art Gallery as part of their Gender Stories exhibition. We'll be exploring gender and sexualities on display in the museum.
www.bristolmuseums.org.uk/whats-on/bri...

LGBTQIAP+ tour of the museum | Bristol Museums

Discover incredible LGBTQIAP+ stories and connections in our rich and surprising collections with queer historian Jack Shoulder.

www.bristolmuseums.org.uk

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Jon Sleigh @jonsleigh.bsky.social · Jun 29

Oohh beautiful thanks so much for sharing ! 🤓🙌

Jon Sleigh @jonsleigh.bsky.social · Jun 27

LGBTQ+ magic last night with my friends at The National Gallery delivering a members talk on coded messages in art 🌈 a stand out in terms of emotion with the audience was Minerva and Mercury conduct the Duke of Buckingham to the Temple of Virtue Peter Paul Rubens before 1625

Jon Sleigh @jonsleigh.bsky.social · Jun 24

My lovely dementia friendly residency at The Wallace Collection continues - today an exploration of Rembrandt, light and emotion. Then playful use of pastels and blending. Such a nice vibe! Thanks to our lovely group for joining us in the storytelling and making ⭐️

Jon Sleigh @jonsleigh.bsky.social · Jun 12

A delightful morning interviewing Dame Kelly Holmes exploring being a sitter for the National Portrait Gallery 💖 together we spoke of becoming national art history, LQBTQ+ togetherness, a shared history of grown up working class, representation and uplifting others.

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Reposted by Jon Sleigh

Queer Heritage and Collections Network @queerhcn.org · May 19

Find out more about artist Aaran Sian: www.instagram.com/aarancyan/?h...

If you are not able to visit in person, you can view every phase of the exhibition, including the previous iteration co-curated by @jonsleigh.bsky.social, in this interactive digital exhibition:
villiers.digital-exhibition.uk

Villiers Revealed Digital Exhibition

Virtual Tour

villiers.digital-exhibition.uk

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Jon Sleigh @jonsleigh.bsky.social · May 18

Two places of worship visited this weekend - both sensational x

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Jon Sleigh @jonsleigh.bsky.social · May 6

Heartwarming day at The Wallace Collection delivering our relaxed dementia friendly opening of the exhibition ‘Delusions of Gradure’ by Grayson Perry - delighted by how many joined us and the emotion we found in the storytelling 🥰 having the gallery to ourselves a huge luxury 🙌

Jon Sleigh @jonsleigh.bsky.social · May 2

Stunning 🤩

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Jon Sleigh @jonsleigh.bsky.social · May 1

A day working in my beloved brum and chance to see ‘Rembrandt: Masterpieces in Black and White— Prints from the Rembrandt House Museum’ at Birmingham Museums Trust - beautiful, intricate and excellent storytelling.