Worthing Theatres and Museum (WTM) is happy to announce that the Museum and Gallery reopens with four fantastic new exhibitions, including Pet Portraits by Hercule Van Wolfwinkle within the Garden Gallery from Saturday 22 May. It will be reopened until Sunday 8 August.

 Worthing resident Phil Heckels created an internet storm during lockdown under the alias Hercule Van Wolfwinkle with his self-styled 'rubbish' Pet Portraits. What started as a thanks card to his parents, as an effort to get his reluctant 6-year-old away from computer games became many pet portrait requests flying in from around the globe and raising over £78,000 for West Sussex charity Turning Tides. 

Turning Tides is now the biggest provider of services for single homeless people in West Sussex. With over 5,000 supporters, 300 volunteers, and 140 staff, they provide real pathways out of homelessness and are committed to supporting people at every stage of their journey This is Phil's first-ever exhibition which opens on Saturday 22 May a week before the release of his first book Rubbish Pet Portraits on Thursday 27 May 2021. 

CEO of WTM, Amanda O'reilly says ‘We are delighted to be reopening the museum offering the community access to a fantastic set of exhibitions, most with a local link, alongside an amazing program of walks, talks, and workshops. We have also been working hard behind the scenes and regular museum visitors should see some exciting improvements. We will continue to prioritize safety in all our venues will be limiting the number of people inside the museum and continuing to implement additional safety procedures.’

For more information and to book event tickets visit www.wtam.uk or call the WTM Box Office on 01903 206206