County Durham’s Bowes Museum is complementing its display of fine art and contemporary exhibitions with a variety of events during the summer.

Currently running and on until 20 July, is the Water Closet Workshop, an exhibition by 14 international artists which has turned an everyday functional appliance into an art form.

Also now taking place, and ending on 28 September, is The Art of Marquetry – Paintings in Wood, an examination of the technique of marquetry. Demonstrations, hands-on activities and lectures will take place on certain dates in June, July, August and September. To complement the exhibition, a Tree Trail has been opened within the park, with a free activity sheet available.

Running from 24 May until 18 April 2004 is Wedding Belles – A Celebration of Bridal Gowns. In conjunction with this, the museum will be offering a free Bridal Beauty demonstration on 15 June, with talks on the exhibition on three dates in July, September and October. On 9 August, a presentation will step back to 1874 and reveal the truth about the conflict between romance and real life in Victorian times.

Commencing on 14 June and continuing until 26 October will be Dazzling – The Art of Glass Engraving, with associated demonstrations on certain dates in June through to October.

Open air theatre comes to the museum on 9 – 12 July, with the Castle Players performing The Merry Wives of Windsor and the North Country Theatre staging Moll Flanders on 23 July.

Family fun days will also be run, featuring a variety of educational activities.

Bowes Museum opened in 1892 and is housed in a purpose built château in Teesdale, with public galleries on three floors. In addition to its collection of European fine and decorative arts of between 1400 – 1875, with particular emphasis on the arts of France, there are also displays of archaeological material from County Durham and of social history from Teesdale. Details: www.bowesmuseum.org.uk