People invited to share hobbies for new exhibition

Derby Museums is inviting the public to take part in the largest ever exhibition about the nation’s hobbies.

From makers and modifiers to crafters and collectors, Derby Museums, alongside award-winning artist and Spider-Man enthusiast Hetain Patel and arts organisation Artangel, is inviting audiences to share details of their hobbies to inform a nationwide project that will take place in 12 locations across the UK from Summer 2024, including at Derby’s Museum of Making.

Called The Hobby Cave, the project will celebrate the millions of people across the UK who dedicate their spare time to activities they are passionate about.

It will explore how individuals express their identity, character and creativity through their favourite pastimes.

Thousands of unique hand-crafted objects loaned by hundreds of people will go on display, with contributions invited from hobbyists such as costume and cosplay makers, crocheters and knitters, wood carvers and model makers, ceramicists, robotics engineers, origami specialists, augmented car enthusiasts and more.

The inaugural exhibition will open in London in July 2024, followed by curated presentations at partner venues across the UK throughout 2025.

Cathy Putz, director of programmes at Derby Museums, said: “It is a great privilege for us to work with Artangel and to be part of Hetain’s fantastic nationwide project celebrating the UK’s amazing hobbyists.

“The Museum of Making is the perfect home for this, where we reveal the maker in everyone and find new ways to invite makers and creatives to share their skills and stories.

“We look forward to working with Hetain to showcase our communities’ rich imaginations and to joining this joyful UK-wide event.”

The public can submit details about their hobbies via  https://thehobbycave.org.uk/ .