The Way We Gather

The Way We Gather opens at The Box on 21 November, and it's on until 5 January, so it'll be there right through the Christmas break. It's an exhibition that draws on photographs and moving images from The Box's own media archive, and the whole thing is about the everyday side of Plymouth — the small, recognisable moments that make up life here.

What you'll see are snapshots of the city as most of us know it: shopping trips, pantomimes, snowy days, and those quiet acts of kindness that don't usually make the headlines. It's less about the big landmarks and more about the community spirit and the seasonal rhythms of the place. The images come from the museum's archive, so they're pieces of the city's own recorded history brought back out for a look.

There's an interactive side to it, too. You can step on glowing lights to trigger colour, images and sound, which brings the stories to life as you move through. It's not just something to look at from a distance — you're part of how it works. If you're sensitive to certain effects, it's worth knowing that the installation includes changing coloured lighting, sound and projected moving images, all activated by people walking through.

It's inspired by The Way We Live, a previous film and exhibition, so it follows on from that same interest in how we actually spend our days. Admission is free and you don't need to book, so you can just turn up whenever suits you. It's open 10.00am to 5.00pm daily from 21 November to 5 January at The Box, in the heart of Plymouth.