Sci Fi Galactic Adventures exhibition opening at Riverside Museum

Glasgow's Riverside Museum is giving visitors a chance to step into a galaxy far, far away and experience the magic of the world’s favourite space saga.

Article Source: Glasgow Life
Last Updated: 10 January 2025 8:18

The Sci-Fi Galactic Adventures exhibition will open at Riverside Museum – run by Glasgow Life, the charity that leads culture and sport in Glasgow – from Saturday 11 January to Sunday 6 April 2025.

The free display features replica costumed characters, full-size models, props and sets inspired by cosmic battles and galactic encounters, making it perfect for all lovers of science fiction, from die-hard fans of the franchise to those discovering it for the first time.

Among the eye-catching items on show are space speeders, galactic soldiers, fighter models and a well-known android.

The Sci-Fi Galactic Adventures exhibition has been many years in the making. After meeting a replica Stormtrooper during a family visit to Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, Riverside Museum manager Stewart Thompson decided to follow his dream of bringing the space saga to Glasgow.

Having seen first-hand how popular film car exhibitions were when vehicles such as a replica Batmobile and Jurassic Park jeeps rolled into Riverside Museum, Stewart also wanted to offer visitors an opportunity to enjoy a display dedicated to George Lucas’ space sensation.

The challenge was finding someone or an organisation who could supply enough replica props and characters from the movies. After spending weeks searching for suppliers, Stewart eventually found a Leeds-based event and prop hire company called Back to the 80s.

Back to the 80s owner Mike Hutchinson was able to offer a series of sets, objects and props including a full-size spaceship from the 1977 film, which can now be found in Glasgow’s Riverside Museum.

Sci-Fi Galactic Adventures

Stewart Thompson, Museum Manager at Riverside Museum, said: “A long time ago, I took my young son to Kelvingrove, where we encountered the full-size replica of an Imperial Stormtrooper, standing 6ft 2 inches tall. I’ll never forget his excitement and I knew then I wanted to bring some of that epic space saga magic to Glasgow. Now, visitors to Riverside Museum can witness more of George Lucas’ legendary characters and ships, owned by dedicated fan and collector Mike Hutchinson. Whether fans saw the films in the 1980s, 2000s or more recently, they will love seeing the interplanetary displays which pay tribute to various heroes, villains and their homelands on sand dunes and in forests and deep space. They’ll feel transported out of this world.”

Mike Hutchinson, Back to the 80s Event and Prop Hire owner, said: “I have a passion for iconic 80s films and can't wait to show some of my sci-fi collection to the people of Scotland. It's not often I get to exhibit some of my larger props in the same place.”

Costuming organisation the Imperial Scottish Garrison will lend characters to help bring the Sci-Fi Galactic Adventures exhibition to life for visitors to Riverside Museum.

Brian McDavid, Imperial Scottish Garrison Commanding Officer, said: “The Imperial Scottish Garrison is honoured to be asked to help make this exhibition the best that we can by providing some well-known characters to enhance the public experience. This is a fantastic opportunity to see some fantastic life-size replica props from probably the most popular sci-fi franchise in the world. These props are each so recognisable that being able to be up close to them will be an amazing experience for the public, whether they are fans or not. These props are rarely seen outside of dedicated sci-fi events and to see them in such a great setting as Riverside Museum will be something special.”

The Sci-Fi Galactic Adventures exhibition can be visited for free during Riverside Museum’s opening hours: Monday to Thursday, and Saturday, 10.00am to 5.00pm; Friday and Sunday, 11.00am to 5.00pm.

Images Credit: Ross MacDonald / SNS

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