Council will share in celebrations for artist John Constable's 250th birthday anniversary

Constable, who was born in East Bergholt, is one of Britain’s most influential painters and much of his artwork captured stunning Babergh landscapes.

The celebrations, known as Constable 250, will feature three major exhibitions, led by Colchester and Ipswich Museums, showcasing significant artworks on loan from some of the nation’s most important galleries.

The exhibitions taking place are:

• Constable: A Cast of Characters (28 March to 14 June 2026) – Introducing those who inspired and supported the artist, featuring personal letters, period costume, historical artefacts and influential artwork.
   
• Constable: Walking the Landscape (11 July to 4 October 2026) – A celebration of Constable’s deep connection to the Suffolk countryside, including rarely seen works and personal paintings from his childhood home.
   
• Constable to Contemporary (24 October 2026 to 28 February 2027) – A dynamic exhibition exploring modern responses to Constable’s legacy.

Cllr Derek Davis, Babergh District Council cabinet member for sustainable economy, said: “Being home to the birthplace of John Constable, we welcome these landmark celebrations in 2026.

“We are pleased and proud to be supporting the project via ‘Unconventional Constable’ – a mixed reality viewing of Constable’s artworks and school children’s response in the form of a pop-up exhibition.”

Also taking place as part of the 250th anniversary celebrations will be a series of community events and learning programmes, aimed at sparking a connection between art and the natural world for audiences across the county.

Constable 250 is supported by grants from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and West Loan Programme as well as Arts Council England, Babergh District Council, the Friends of Ipswich Museums, and Kerseys LLP.