The Stour Valley is a nationally significant area for artists, positioned on the border between Essex and Suffolk – an area sometime referred to as Constable Country – and under an hour by train from London. With its wide skies, abundant natural light and gentle green horizon, this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is an inspiration for landscape artists in particular.

For centuries its inhabitants and visitors have celebrated this valley with their artistic skills and talents. From famous artists of the past who painted this special landscape, such as Constable, Gainsborough, Nash and Munnings, to contemporary artists working, teaching and displaying their works in galleries today, the Stour Valley is a unique and exciting destination for those with an interest in art.

The Munnings Art Museum offers changing displays from its large and significant collection of life’s works by Sir Alfred Munnings with over 200 paintings, drawings and sculpture are displayed each year throughout eight rooms of the artist’s former home and working studio offering a complete survey of his artistic development.

Councillor Nigel Chapman, Chairman of the Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley Joint Advisory Committee and Partnership, was invited for a sneak peak of the new exhibition at the museum.

“Having visited Munnings Art Museum at Castle House, Dedham many times over the years I was delighted to be invited recently to a preview of the re-launched exhibition, Yours with love, AJ.  It was a joy to find that Mary, my wife, and I had the house to ourselves and we really lapped up the atmosphere -it still feels like someone’s home!

The exhibition includes paintings loaned from a private collection, and some fascinating original correspondence that Alfred Munnings sent to his new wife, Violet. Old favourites are, of course, on display too alongside some rarely seen pictures from store.

Munnings flourishing reputation as an equestrian portraitist was taking him away from home, so, in his letters he was telling Violet of many experiences arising from those visits. The exhibition, therefore, offers a rare opportunity to see a private side of the famous man.

I was particularly interested in his verses; I had no idea that he had a poetic side and thoroughly enjoyed the rhymes included in the exhibition. In the Studio there is a small but fascinating display of his works relating to the River Stour gathered to celebrate the 50^th anniversary of the Dedham Vale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. This was, in fact, celebrated last year but the show has been retained for this season too.

I can thoroughly recommend a visit; Castle House is a real joy and the beautiful grounds are freely available for picnicking”.

The Exhibition is open from the end of May until November, full details on www.munningsmuseum.org.uk

Explore the opportunities to see and experience work by artists both past and present, inspired by this special landscape in our Art in the Valley visitor guide available here.