Huge hobby exhibition deluged with donations
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4 March 2025

Caroline Gall  
BBC News, West Midlands

 Lia Toby  
The gallery is working with Hetain Patel, an award-winning artist and Spiderman fan

An art gallery planning what it claims will be the largest-ever exhibition of the UK's hobbies says it has had a "fantastic" response to an appeal for contributions.

Wolverhampton Art Gallery will host Come As You Really Are from 12 July to 5 October, displaying objects created by hobbyists from people across the UK.

Since it launched the appeal in January, a spokesperson said they have received everything from "felted animals and knitted creations to model trains and cosplay costumes".

They added they were still after more items especially upcycled furniture, music memorabilia collections and around cosplay and dressmaking.

 Thierrry Bal  
Many items are already on display in the exhibition, a gallery spokesperson said

To be part of the exhibition, people must be based in the UK and call themselves hobbyists - someone who takes part in an activity on an ongoing basis.

Hetain Patel, award-winning artist and Spiderman enthusiast from Bolton, is involved in the exhibition which will travel around the country.

The spokesperson said they would also like to showcase stained glass, toys and models, nail art and "quirky and unexpected" collections.

The deadline for submissions is 30 March.

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