What’s the Story? exhibition at John Gray Centre

We are delighted to announce the opening of a fascinating new exhibition at the John Gray Centre Museum in Haddington, featuring paintings, photographs, drawings and prints held in the Council’s collection.  

Some of these works, which span several centuries, will not have been seen by members of the public for a while. The Friends of the John Gray Centre have worked alongside museum staff to present this varied and exciting show, in which artists have shown people working and at leisure. 

The earliest piece in the show is a watercolour drawing of the late 1700s showing Haddington Town Officers on parade with fife and drum; one of the most recent is a composite piece responding to the East Lothian landscape during the 2020 Covid pandemic. 

Visitors to the exhibition may recognise familiar landscapes, see intriguing glimpses into townscapes, lost working practices, and portraits of East Lothian characters recognised for their contribution to county life. 

Michael Williams of the Friends of the John Gray Centre commented that working on this exhibition provided a fantastic opportunity for the Friends to contribute to the work of the centre, bringing together the efforts of staff and volunteers. He also emphasised the importance of exhibiting works held by East Lothian Council on behalf of those that live in East Lothian. 

Jayne Stokes reflected on the creation of her watercolour, Day by Day, which is included in the exhibition. She noted: “I started the painting in March during lockdown and it documents the landscape experienced on the many daily walks, cycles and runs in East Lothian. It was a real labour of love and a piece which explores this strange period in our lives and the solace that can come from the small things around us. I am fascinated by our relationship with images, the value we attach to them and their ability to evoke emotion. 

“This relationship has changed with the ubiquity of digital technology. I recall the enjoyment of looking at family photo albums as a child and reflecting on the places I had visited. Now we are more likely to store away endless files electronically after a brief glance. This process is mirrored by our increasingly transient relationship with places, as our lives become busier and less appreciative of our surroundings. The aim of my work is to make us stop and think carefully about the environment around us. Working on a miniature scale forces the viewer to look closely at the painting and having several small images in one large piece takes the viewer on a journey.” 

What’s the Story? is on now until Saturday 26 April 2025. The museum is open Thursdays and Fridays 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm and Saturdays 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 4pm. 

John Gray Centre, 15 Lodge Street, Haddington, East Lothian, EH41 3DX