The voting for the 2007 Readers' Poll for the Gulbenkian Prize is now closed
Not only have we had an amazing response to our Gulbenkian Prize People's Vote, but we've received literally hundreds of fantastic comments, showing just how much museums and galleries mean to local people. Here's a selection showing what our readers feel about Glagow's ever popular Kelvingrove Museum and Art Gallery, which reopened in 2006 after a three-year refit.
“This is the most marvelous transformation of a fusty but locally much-loved collection - we spent hours yesterday as a group with two young parents, two grandparents, one 20-something, a five-year-old and a three-year-old and all of us were intrigued, educated, entertained. The place was absolutely buzzing.” Kirsten Thorley
“As a child I lived within easy reach of Kelvingrove and spent many a happy hour there … I am now in my sixties and recently visited the gallery after its reopening and absolutely loved it. All the old favourites are there and the whole building is so much brighter and visitor friendly.” Isabel
“What an amazing place. I was like a child - absolutely amazed, so much to see! Famous impressionist paintings - so many that I had a headache with smiling the whole time! I’ll definitely be going back and take the kids next time.” Anon
“This gallery is fantastic and so child friendly that we will be back again and again. It is full to bursting with excitement, education and fun. Top marks Glasgow. We are proud of you.” Tricia and Bobby
“Fantastic, stunning, must see, must return to attraction, well worth the wait – what else is there to say? Kelvingrove is one of Scotland’s, if not the world’s, most beautiful visitor attractions and is all the better after the recent restoration!” Yvette
“When it closed down for refurbishment my son was three and cried as we visited often. He sent a donation to the appeal, and at the age of seven is delighted to see his name on the donor wall. He went with my dad to the preview before it opened to the public and was thrilled … Kelvingrove should win hands down.” Alison
“When I heard of the refurbishment plans I feared it might lose its warmth and individual identity, but I needn’t have worried … I am sure many other entrants for the award have their merits, but I’ll bet that none of them is held as affectionately as Kelvingrove is held by the people of Glasgow.” Mark
“I visited for the first time (my first visit to Glasgow, on business) this week, and was originally going to ‘pop in’ to look at Dali’s Christ of St John of the Cross … I left four and a half hours later ( I would have stayed longer but I had a plane to catch) having had the best museum/art gallery visit of my life.” Priscilla
“My vote is based on the excellence of the facilities and the range of exhibits suitable for all age groups. I have a grandson who suffers from cerebral palsy and the treatment we received on our visit was second to none.” Scott
“We were absolutely overwhelmed by its beauty and wonderful exhibits, and we have been telling all our friends and relations and fellow travellers about it, and recommending it for a visit on their next trip over to Scotland. Thank you for giving us Australians the opportunity to visit and have a fantastic day in Kelvingrove.” Jennifer
