Delapré Community Oral History Project

Since April 2025 I have been working on another project with Delapré Abbey Preservation Trust to support the recruitment and training of volunteers for their Community Oral History Project Stories of Abbey Farm. This project is supported by National Lottery Heritage Fund and Historic England’s Everyday Heritage grant programme and is part of Delapré’s wider redevelopment project A Stable Future

My work to date includes:

  • Developing volunteer role profiles, social media and poster adverts as well as email invitations

  • Corresponding with volunteers directly via emails to answer questions and support their recruitment initially

  • Supporting the recruitment of potential oral history interviewees

  • Producing information packs and guides for volunteers

  • Preparing and leading a training session on research and interpretation

To find out more about the Delapré Abbey’s A Stable Future see project page here

Michael Harrison Cataloguing Project

Since January 2025 I have been working with RBA president and Northamptonshire artist Michael Harrison, to catalogue his art collection.

My work to date includes:

  • Curating and organising the studio collection

  • Creating a comprehensive catalogue of Michael’s studio art collection including images of all works

  • Creating a secondary catalogue recording Michael’s sold and gifted works, including provenance details

  • Sorting catalogued artworks into thematic categories, proposing selections for both exhibition and publication

To find out more about Michael Harrison’s art see his website here

Brian Mutton Exhibition Project

Since January 2025, I have continued my previous collaboration with the family of the late Northamptonshire artist, Brian Mutton, to curate a retrospective exhibition opening at Northampton Museum and Art Gallery in October 2026.

My work to date includes:

  • Updating and refining catalogues created during my previous cataloguing project

  • Producing an Interpretation Brief outlining the exhibition’s purpose, format, content, themes and design

  • Developing a 3D SketchUp design for the exhibition gallery in consultation with the family

  • Conducting research for exhibition interpretation

  • Developing sale prices, labels and a touchscreen catalogue in consultation with the family

To find out more about Brian Mutton’s art see artist’s film here and new website here

A person working on a laptop at a desk. The laptop screen displays a spreadsheet containing artwork images and catalogue. In the background, several framed pictures and paintings are leaning against the wall or on an easel.

Shoosmith Gallery

Since September 2024 I have been working with the Shoosmith Gallery at Delapré Abbey, Northamptonshire.

My work to date includes:

  • Developing 3D SketchUp designs for the Shoosmith art collection in the new gallery space

  • Producing a comprehensive inventory with accompanying photographs and research for other artworks owned by the gallery

  • Providing guidance on environmental monitoring as well as recommending suitable monitoring equipment for the new gallery

To find out more about the Shoosmith Gallery see their website here

Delapré Collections Relocation Project

From March to April 2025 I worked with Delapré Abbey Preservation Trust to deinstall, catalogue and move two of their exhibition rooms at Delapré Abbey, Northamptonshire.

Work included:

  • Deinstalling items on display and reviewing these for cataloguing, archive or disposal.

  • Assigning unique numbers and labelling using methods appropriate to object type

  • Expanding existing records, updating locations and moving data to central inventory

  • Photographing objects and embedding these into the inventory file

  • Packing objects into boxes or wrapping larger pieces using bubble wrap and tissue

  • Moving the objects to new storage area and labelling shelving accordingly

  • The project also included working with and providing informal training to two Abbey volunteers who supported with the labelling and packing of the objects

To find out more about the Delapré Abbey see their website here

Photo of an artist’s studio with white painted brick walls, artworks stacked on floor to right or table to left, in background is camera on tripod by a window with a painting on easel to the right for photography
Photo showing A collection of artworks stacked in a studio. One is being wrapped in tissue paper and bubble wrap on the floor.
A photo of a person sitting on the floor in a room with white brick walls and large windows, looking at open sketchbooks spread out on the floor.
A photo of a painting showing an interior scene with a view down a stairway to the right and along the landing to the bottom couple of steps of another flight of stairs on left. Walls are dark and mottled.
Photo of a landscape painting showing a wooden stile within a dry stone wall, foliage on wall and in front, grassland behind and sea in background

Brian Mutton Cataloguing Project

From September to November 2024 I worked on behalf of the family of the late Northamptonshire artist, Brian Mutton, to catalogue his studio art collection

Work included:

  • Creating comprehensive and detailed catalogues of Brian’s studio art collection and paper-based archive

  • Producing and editing high-quality artwork photography suitable for future media and publications

  • Initial exhibition development including liaising with potential gallery venues, producing proposals and briefs, and making an initial selection of artworks for the exhibitions

  • Packing, wrapping and labelling the artworks for storage

To find out more about Brian Mutton’s art see artist’s film here and new website here

Client Testimonials

  • "I was introduced to Beth Socci shortly after my dad’s passing in the summer of 2024. A prolific artist who left behind over one hundred paintings, I needed someone who believed in his work and could help me properly catalogue and archive to create a living legacy for generations to come. Within hours of meeting Beth, I knew that she was the right professional for the job. Conscientious and efficient, but more importantly, with a genuine love and respect for the deep craft that is an artist’s vision. Beth’s work has elevated this mission and I look forward to witnessing what she can accomplish next in the role of curator of at least one major retrospective show of Brian Mutton’s art in 2026”.

    Jim Mutton

  • "I was introduced to Beth through a contact at the Northampton Heritage Forum while she was working as Art Curator at Northampton Museums & Art Gallery. Seeking advice on display techniques and space optimisation for The Shoosmith Gallery, I reached out to Beth, and I’m so glad I did! Beth’s expertise, creativity, and deep knowledge were invaluable, and her shared appreciation for the Shoosmith watercolour collection made our collaboration even more meaningful. Our mutual passion for art and heritage laid the foundation for an ongoing working relationship, and Beth now regularly contributes her insights and 3D SketchUp designs to help shape our new gallery space. Beyond her professional skills, Beth is an absolute pleasure to work with, knowledgeable, inspiring, and a joy to be around."

    Paula Allen, Chief Executive, The Shoosmith Gallery