Art - What’s On | The Crack Magazine

All Aboard!

Step inside and explore Preston Park Museum's new, interactive exhibition which has been specially created for children. Little designers, engineers and drivers will be able to get hands-on with wheels to turn, coal to shovel and pistons to pump in the giant replica train and themed play zones. Families will be able to take part in a journey of discovery through play to understand the important story of the Stockton and Darlington Railway.

Venue:: Preston Park Museum, Yarm Road, Eaglescliffe, Stockton-on-Tees, TS18 3RH
Date:: Sep 13th 2025 - Sep 13th 2026
Opening Times:: Sun and Tue-Sat 10:00 - 16:00
Price:: £12/£8/under 3s Free

Sublime Landscapes

This exhibition features landscape watercolours and prints from the Laing Art Gallery’s collection responding to the potential for landscape art to be awe-inspiring. Visitors will encounter dramatic waterfalls, epic ruins, stormy seas, and subterranean worlds through the eyes of artists working between the eighteenth century – when the concept of the ‘sublime’ first gained prominence within landscape art - and the present day. The artists on display include John Robert Cozens, Mary Elizabeth Bennett, Francis Towne, David Cox, John Martin, Charles Napier Hemy, Edna Clarke Hall, Graham Sutherland, and Dennis Creffield.

Venue:: Laing Art Gallery, New Bridge Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8AG
Date:: Dec 20th 2025 - Dec 5th 2026
Opening Times:: Mon-Sat 10:00 - 16:30
Price:: Free

150 Years of Wedding Dresses

This display showcases the exquisite craftsmanship and evolving trends that have defined one of the most memorable days in countless lives. Experience a celebration of bridal fashion from the last 150 years.

Venue:: Ushaw: Historic House, Chapels and Gardens, Woodland Road, Durham, DH7 9RH
Date:: Mar 28th 2026 - Aug 31st 2026
Opening Times:: Mon-Sat 11:00 - 16:00
Price:: £14/under 18s £8/under 5s Free

Vivienne Westwood: Rebel – Storyteller – Visionary

Charting Westwood’s journey following her punk rebellion with Malcolm McLaren to her reinvention of historical dress and couture and featuring rarely seen pieces from private collections, this exhibition offers an unprecedented glimpse into Westwood’s artistry. Calico toiles, deconstructed garments and ensembles are displayed chronologically alongside historic objects from the museum’s collection, fusing rebellion with tradition.

Venue:: The Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle, County Durham, DL12 8NP
Date:: Mar 28th 2026 - Sep 6th 2026
Opening Times:: Daily 10:00 - 17:00
Price:: £19.50/under 18s Free

Stronger Seams: Beyond Coal

Members of East Durham Artists’ Network (EDAN) have worked in collaboration with the Durham University Energy Institute and their interdisciplinary Geothermal Energy from Mines and Solar Geothermal heat (GEMS) project team in delivering this mixed media exhibition. It focusses on East Durham after coal. Coal was not only a source of energy as fuel, but also the source of industrial, economic and social energy that shaped the physical and relational landscape. EDAN have looked at the transition to a world ‘beyond coal’, examining issues such as what is happening now in terms of energy as fuel, how the coal past is being incorporated into the post coal present in terms of social life, community, former mining sites, buildings and spaces.

Venue:: Arts Centre Washington, Biddick Lane, Fatfield, Washington, NE38 8AB
Date:: Jun 19th 2026 - Jul 25th 2026
Opening Times:: Fri-Sat 09:00 - 16:00 , Wed 09:00 - 17:00 , Thu 09:00 - 21:00 , Tue 13:00 - 21:00
Price:: Free

The Graduates

After 28 wonderfully creative years, National Glass Centre takes its final bow on Friday 31 July 2026. Their closing exhibition is The Graduates, which will be a celebration of the incredible achievements and successes of the University of Sunderland’s Glass and Ceramics Department over the past three decades. The Graduates features the work of 51 artists; made up of graduates and staff members of University of Sunderland’s Glass and Ceramics Department, including seven invited artists alongside 44 selected artists.

Venue:: National Glass Centre, Liberty Way, Sunderland, SR6 0GL
Date:: Jan 31st 2026 - Jul 31st 2026
Opening Times:: Daily 10:00 - 17:00
Price:: Free

Extravaganza

Open Exhibition: subject and medium to be decided by artists.

Venue:: EDAN Gallery, The Art Block, 74 Church Street, Seaham, County Durham, SR7 7HF
Date:: Jun 9th 2026 - Jul 25th 2026
Opening Times:: Tue-Fri 11:00 - 15:00 , Sat 10:00 - 16:00
Price:: Free

Tick Tock Marvels: The Playful World of Automata

Step into a world of fantastical characters that move as if with a life of their own. Turn handles, set figures in motion, and watch stories spring to life before your eyes. Every twist, spin, and click brings something surprising, magical, and delightfully mechanical into action. Tick Tock Marvels invites children, families, and curious minds of all ages on an interactive journey into the wild and wonderful world of automata. Explore jungles and deep seas where imagination meets movement, and where art comes alive through science and engineering. The exhibition features work by celebrated automata maker Keith Newstead (creator of the much-loved Flying Reiver), alongside pieces inspired by Gormenghast’s Castle from Mervyn Peake’s fantasy book series Titus Groan. It also includes a wealth of automata from Cabaret Mechanical Theatre’s extraordinary collection and archive, showcasing the history and evolution of this captivating craft in a way that is engaging for all ages.

Venue:: Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery, Carlisle Street, Carlisle, Cumbria, CA3 8TP
Date:: Jun 13th 2026 - Oct 11th 2026
Opening Times:: Mon-Sat 10:00 - 16:00
Price:: Adult admission (valid for 12 months) £15/Under 18s Free

Jewish Industrialists on the Team Valley

Jewish Industrialists on the Team Valley: the formative years of a trading estate 1936-1945 tells the little-known story of the contribution and impact that Jewish light industries had on the development of the Team Valley Trading Estate in Gateshead – the first government-financed trading estate in the country and opened in 1936.

Venue:: Discovery Museum, (Closed on all Bank Holidays) Blandford Square, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 4JA
Date:: Feb 7th 2026 - Jan 31st 2027
Opening Times:: Sat-Sun 11:00 - 16:00 , Mon-Fri 10:00 - 16:00
Price:: Free

The Space Between The Notes: John Lyons

Award-winning Durham photographer John Lyons brings his acclaimed exhibition to the Durham Jazz Festival Gallery. Specialising in live music and portrait photography, John has captured performances at iconic venues including Birdland and Blue Note in New York. His style focuses on the emotion, intimacy and energy behind the music rather than simply documenting a performance.

Venue:: Durham Jazz Festival Gallery, 25 High Street, Prince Bishops Centre, Durham
Date:: May 22nd 2026 - Oct 25th 2026
Opening Times:: 22nd May - 25th Oct 2026 TBC
Price:: Free

Archaeology ‘Open Lab’

Archaeologists uncovering the hidden history of Auckland Palace are inviting the public behind the scenes as historic finds from eight years of excavations are analysed in a new ‘open laboratory’ in Bishop Auckland town centre. After the trowels are put down, the archaeological work continues in the post-excavation’ phase. This work involves looking in detail at all the objects dug up. Experts weigh, count, catalogue and describe everything they have found so that we can understand even more about how the Bishops’ Palace was used. Normally this work happens in laboratories behind closed doors, but now this workis being done in public view here in the ‘open lab’.

Venue:: The Hearth, (formerly Mrs M's), 1 Market Place, Bishop Auckland, County Durham, DL14 7NJ
Date:: Jan 16th 2026 - Dec 31st 2026
Opening Times:: 16th Jan - 31st Dec 2026 TBC
Price:: Free

Treasure: Hidden, Lost, Found

Step into the fascinating world of treasure and see some amazing archaeological finds from across the North of England. Roman coins, Viking Age silver, and a buried stash of Tudor coins will all feature in this glittering new exhibition. Explore what makes something valuable - culturally, historically, and personally. Who owns the past? What stories do these objects tell? With thought-provoking displays and interactives, there’s something to spark curiosity in visitors of all ages. Featuring extraordinary finds from the British Museum, National Museum of Scotland, Vindolanda, and the Great North Museum: Hancock, this is your chance to see why buried history matters.

Venue:: Great North Museum: Hancock, Barras Bridge, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4PT
Date:: Mar 28th 2026 - Sep 20th 2026
Opening Times:: Mon-Fri 10:00 - 17:00 , Sun 11:00 - 16:00 , Sat 10:00 - 16:00
Price:: Free

Picture This: Someone Like Me

An artwork exhibition that creatively showcases postgraduate research happening at Newcastle University. The exhibition features illustrated artworks and personal reflections that explore the many different pathways into research and challenge common ideas about who researchers are and where they come from. Alongside the artworks, the exhibition will come alive through interactive events, family-friendly activities, and opportunities to meet the researchers themselves. Visitors are invited to explore research through creativity and conversation, discover the people behind the work, and reflect on how diverse experiences and perspectives shape the way knowledge is created.

Venue:: Great North Museum: Hancock, Barras Bridge, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4PT
Date:: Mar 13th 2026 - Jan 17th 2027
Opening Times:: Mon-Fri 10:00 - 17:00 , Sun 11:00 - 16:00 , Sat 10:00 - 16:00
Price:: Free

Rebel Women of Sunderland

Discover the bold, brilliant and boundary-breaking women who have shaped Sunderland in this powerful and thought-provoking exhibition. Updated for 2026, view all 30 Kathryn Robertson illustrations under one roof, for the first time. Rebel Women of Sunderland celebrates extraordinary local women, past and present, whose stories deserve to be seen and heard. From activists and artists to campaigners, pioneers and everyday trailblazers, the exhibition brings their achievements into focus through immersive storytelling, vibrant visuals and a compelling podcast series.

Venue:: Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens, Mowbray Gardens, Burdon Road, Sunderland, SR1 1PP
Date:: Mar 13th 2026 - Aug 1st 2026
Opening Times:: Sat 10:00 - 16:00 , Mon-Fri 09:30 - 17:00
Price:: Free

David Lowton

David is a self-taught artist living in the North East of England. He has exhibited his work locally and in venues across Yorkshire and Cumbria. He works mainly in oils and acrylics covering a wide range of topics including landscapes, animals and figurative pieces. The inspiration for his work comes from his love of the countryside, walking amongst the hills of the Yorkshire Dales and Cumbria and regular vacations on a working farm.

Venue:: The Witham, 3 Horsemarket, Barnard Castle, County Durham, DL12 8YL
Date:: Jul 7th 2026 - Aug 1st 2026
Opening Times:: Tue-Sat 10:00 - 16:00
Price:: Free

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer Portrait Award 2025 and Exploring Identity

This spring and summer, visitors will have the chance to chart the history of portrait painting from the 16th century to the present day in two complementary exhibitions containing some of the finest historic, modern, and contemporary portraits. The Laing Art Gallery will show the National Portrait Gallery’s celebrated painting competition, the Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer Portrait Award 2025, now in its 43rd year. The exhibition will be shown alongside Exploring Identity, a portraiture exhibition curated from North East Museums’ art collections that provides historical context to the Portrait Award.

Venue:: Laing Art Gallery, New Bridge Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8AG
Date:: Mar 28th 2026 - Sep 5th 2026
Opening Times:: Mon-Sat 10:00 - 16:30
Price:: £11/£10

After the Fire

Around the year AD 300, a catastrophic fire destroyed many buildings of the fort. The 2026 exhibition explores what was rebuilt over the ruins and examines life at Arbeia during the fourth century, leading up to the end of Roman rule in Britain.

Venue:: Arbeia Roman Fort and Museum, Baring Street, South Shields, NE33 2BB
Date:: Mar 30th 2026 - Sep 27th 2026
Opening Times:: Mon-Fri 10:00 - 17:00 , Sun 13:00 - 16:00 , Sat 11:00 - 16:00
Price:: Free

Following the Eagle

The exhibition will showcase rare Roman military diplomas inscribed on bronze, alongside other archaeological artefacts, exploring themes of identity, service, and travel within the Roman army. The Roman state adopted the eagle as an emblem to show that as well as power and authority, they had divine favour on their side. The army used it as a symbol since it embodied Rome itself and her honour.

Venue:: Segedunum Roman Fort, 2 Buddle Street, Wallsend, NE28 6HR
Date:: Mar 28th 2026 - Oct 3rd 2026
Opening Times:: Mon-Sat 10:00 - 15:00 , Daily 10:00 - 17:00
Price:: £7.75/£5.50/under 22s and NE28 residents Free

Arthur Wharton: He Changed The World From Here

Step into the remarkable story of Arthur Wharton – a true trailblazer of British sport. Born in the Gold Coast (modern-day Ghana) in 1865 and widely recognised as both the world’s first professional black footballer and the world's first recorded fastest man, Wharton arrived in Britain and quickly made his mark as an exceptional athlete. A man of extraordinary speed and strength, he first rose to prominence as a sprinter, setting records in athletics before turning his talents to the football field, alongside cricket and rugby.

Venue:: Hopetown, McNay Street, Darlington, DL3 6SW
Date:: Jun 18th 2026 - Aug 31st 2026
Opening Times:: Sun and Tue-Sat 10:00 - 17:00
Price:: Free

Extinction

Through a mix of information panels, replica objects and interactives, the exhibition asks the question: what is extinction? Don’t miss the life size baby triceratops and utahraptor on display.

Venue:: Ushaw: Historic House, Chapels and Gardens, Woodland Road, Durham, DH7 9RH
Date:: Jun 20th 2026 - Oct 8th 2026
Opening Times:: Mon-Sat 11:00 - 16:00
Price:: £14/under 18s £8/under 5s Free

The Discovery of Dinosaurs

An exhibition of 19th century prints depicting prehistoric landscapes and some of the earliest dinosaur fossils ever discovered, reproduced from rare volumes in Ushaw’s Library collection.

Venue:: Ushaw: Historic House, Chapels and Gardens, Woodland Road, Durham, DH7 9RH
Date:: Jun 20th 2026 - Nov 8th 2026
Opening Times:: Mon-Sat 11:00 - 16:00
Price:: £14/under 18s £8/under 5s Free

Tracey Russell: Solo Exhibition

New work by County Durham-artist Tracey Russell.

Venue:: Ushaw: Historic House, Chapels and Gardens, Woodland Road, Durham, DH7 9RH
Date:: Jul 4th 2026 - Sep 23rd 2026
Opening Times:: Mon-Sat 11:00 - 16:00
Price:: £14/under 18s £8/under 5s Free

Take a Stitch 2 Durham 2026

An exhibition of new work by this flourishing regional textile art group.

Venue:: Ushaw: Historic House, Chapels and Gardens, Woodland Road, Durham, DH7 9RH
Date:: Jul 18th 2026 - Sep 13th 2026
Opening Times:: Mon-Sat 11:00 - 16:00
Price:: £14/under 18s £8/under 5s Free

Cuthbert

A group show that delves into the enduring themes of hermits, visions, introspection, personal landscapes, and pilgrimage. Loosely framed around the historical figure of St. Cuthbert, whose legacy spans from Lindisfarne to Alnmouth, the exhibition explores the universal concepts that resonate just as strongly today. It’s a timely contemplation of withdrawal and the pursuit of personal truth.

Venue:: The Old School Gallery, Foxton Road, Alnmouth, Northumberland, NE66 3NH
Date:: Jul 18th 2026 - Sep 14th 2026
Opening Times:: Daily 10:00 - 16:00
Price:: Free

Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience

Having already captivated millions worldwide, the spectacular event will bring more than 300 of Van Gogh’s iconic works to life using cutting-edge projection technology and a specially curated musical soundtrack. Visitors will be able to meander through masterpieces including The Starry Night, Sunflowers and Café Terrace at Night as the artworks come to life, swirling and blooming across walls and floors, creating an awe-inspiring and fully immersive experience.

Venue:: Utilita Arena, Arena Way, Newcastle, NE4 7NA
Date:: Jul 12th 2026 - Aug 9th 2026
Opening Times:: 12th Jul - 9th Aug 2026 10:00 - 17:00
Price:: £26.33/child £15.77

Lewis Dimmick: Congregation

An exhibition of works produced from painting on location at festival grounds all over the North of England (Kendal Calling, Lindisfarne, Hardwick Live, Coast Fest, Mouth of the Tyne etc), with studio pieces based on sketches & experiences.

Venue:: rePUBlic Gallery, Access Through The King's Head Cafe, 85 Bridge Street, Blyth, NE24 3AE
Date:: Jul 18th 2026 - Aug 15th 2026
Opening Times:: Tue-Sat 09:00 - 15:00
Price:: Free

Commons Stars: Art and the Starling

This exhibition that uses the natural instincts and socialisation techniques of the Starling bird and the strategies they use to survive as a curatorial system. More than just an exhibition of pictures of birds, Common Stars looks at the strategies that starlings use in their day to day life and asks how these can translate into artistic strategies.

Venue:: The Redcar Palace, Palace 28, 28-29 Esplanade, Redcar, TS10 3AE
Date:: Jul 3rd 2026 - Sep 5th 2026
Opening Times:: Tue-Sat 10:00 - 16:00
Price:: Free

Snapshot

An exhibition exploring the early years of photography told through images and objects from Ushaw’s collections.

Venue:: Ushaw: Historic House, Chapels and Gardens, Woodland Road, Durham, DH7 9RH
Date:: Jun 27th 2026 - Nov 1st 2026
Opening Times:: Mon-Sat 11:00 - 16:00
Price:: £14/under 18s £8/under 5s Free

Everyday Elegance: Daily Lives of Women in Late Qing China

This exhibition explores the daily lives of women who lived in urban communities in Late Qing China—what they wore, what they ate, what they did for work and for fun. From silver hairpins to wood cake moulds to gilt lacquer boxes, these functional yet elegant objects reveal that women in 1800s China expressed their individuality in creative ways. They far exceeded the duties they were expected to fulfil, making important contributions to the successes of their families and communities.

Venue:: Oriental Museum, Elvet Hill, (off South Road), Durham, DH1 3TH
Date:: May 16th 2026 - Sep 20th 2026
Opening Times:: Sat-Sun 12:00 - 16:00 , Tue and Thu-Fri 11:00 - 16:00 , Wed 10:00 - 17:00
Price:: Free

Can You Dig It?

An art exhibition in the Hadrian's Wall Gallery, created as part of the Treasure exhibition. The Great North Museum: Hancock invited four schools and a group of home educated people to take part in the Treasure programme. Each group worked alongside a local artist to produce artworks responding to the idea of treasure within the context of archaeology, bringing unique perspectives to the project.

Venue:: Great North Museum: Hancock, Barras Bridge, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4PT
Date:: Apr 14th 2026 - Sep 20th 2026
Opening Times:: Sat 10:00 - 16:00 , Sun 11:00 - 16:00 , Mon-Fri 10:00 - 17:00
Price:: Free

Discovering Dark Skies

Northumberland has some of the most pristine dark skies in England, inspiring awe and wonder in thousands who come to stargaze in our region every year. Working with partners, including the Kielder Observatory, Kielder Partnership and National Park Authority, this exhibition celebrates the rich cultural and natural heritage of the night, a heritage we are at risk of losing in an increasingly over-illuminated world. A programme of special events and activities will accompany the exhibition, with more details to be announced soon. Keep an eye on our website for updates.

Venue:: Queen's Hall Arts Centre, Beaumont Street, Hexham, NE46 3LS
Date:: Jul 18th 2026 - Sep 19th 2026
Opening Times:: Mon-Sat 10:00 - 16:00
Price:: Free

Following Ewe By Elaine Vizor

This exhibition by photographer Elaine Vizor celebrates the iconic Wensleydale sheep breed and its official naming at the 17th Great Yorkshire Show in 1876, 150 years ago. Though named in 1876, the Wensleydale traces its lineage back to ‘Bluecap’, a single sire born in 1839 in the Yorkshire Dales. The Wensleydale breed is a luxury wool producer and the wool is very characteristic of its wavy, open crimp, high lustre, immense drape and rather long staple length. The wool is highly sought after for a range of textile crafts and offers natural sustainability in a throwaway world.

Venue:: Bishop Auckland Town Hall, Market Place, Bishop Auckland, DL14 7NP
Date:: Jun 8th 2026 - Aug 29th 2026
Opening Times:: Mon-Sat 10:00 - 16:00
Price:: Free

Masala Festival – Playback / Rewind: South Asian Sound & Memory

Bringing together a new body of work by artist Jimmy Turrell, developed through research into Bollywood vinyl, printed ephemera, and the lived histories of South Asian communities in Gateshead. Working with collected albums, archive material and visual fragments, Turrell reinterprets these sources through collage, print and large-scale compositions. The works explore how music travels across generations and geographies, carrying memory, identity and cultural connection.

Venue:: Gateshead Central Library, Prince Consort Road, Gateshead, NE8 4LN
Date:: Jul 4th 2026 - Oct 10th 2026
Opening Times:: Sat 09:00 - 13:00 , Tue-Wed and Fri 09:00 - 17:00 , Mon and Thu 09:00 - 19:00
Price:: Free

New Contemporaries 2026

New Contemporaries presents its annual touring exhibition at MIMA, showcasing the work of 26 emerging and early‑career artists selected from across the UK. Widely regarded as a launchpad for the next generation of artistic talent, the exhibition offers a snapshot of contemporary practice today. Spanning painting, sculpture, installation, photography and moving image, the exhibition reflects the variety and quality of artistic practice across the UK

Venue:: Mima, Centre Square, Middlesbrough, TS1 2AZ
Date:: May 8th 2026 - Aug 16th 2026
Opening Times:: Sun 12:00 - 16:00 , Tue-Sat 10:00 - 16:30
Price:: Free

Swing Bridge 150

A display celebrating the iconic Swing Bridge that connects Newcastle and Gateshead, for its 150th anniversary using images of archival material. Unveiled in 1876, Lord Armstrong’s hydraulic Swing Bridge across the River Tyne was the largest of its kind — a bold symbol of Victorian ingenuity that still stands proudly today. A brilliant example of engineering brilliance and Tyneside heritage, now a Grade II listed structure.

Venue:: Discovery Museum, (Closed on all Bank Holidays) Blandford Square, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 4JA
Date:: Jun 13th 2026 - Dec 20th 2026
Opening Times:: Mon-Fri 10:00 - 16:00 , Sat-Sun 11:00 - 16:00
Price:: Free

Strike!

The General Strike of May 1926 rocked the country with King George V declaring a state of emergency. Around 1.5 to 2 million workers went on strike in support of ‘locked-out’ miners. This display marks 100 years since the General Strike.

Venue:: Discovery Museum, (Closed on all Bank Holidays) Blandford Square, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 4JA
Date:: May 17th 2026 - Jan 17th 2027
Opening Times:: Sat-Sun 11:00 - 16:00 , Mon-Fri 10:00 - 16:00
Price:: Free

Lines of Action

The exhibition explores how artists utilize the ‘line’ in its most expanded sense as a central part of their creative process. Rather than focusing solely on preparatory sketches, this exhibition examines the ‘line’ as an organising principle. It highlights how artists use the line to provide structure, create ‘scores’ for subsequent works, record actions, and open spaces for memory.

Venue:: Hatton Gallery, The Quadrangle, University of Newcastle, 6 Kensington Terrace, Newcastle, NE1 7RU
Date:: Jun 20th 2026 - Aug 1st 2026
Opening Times:: Mon-Sat 10:00 - 17:00
Price:: Free

Norman Cornish: A Life in Sketchbooks

Step inside the working imagination of Norman Cornish in this intimate exhibition, bringing together finished drawings, paintings and watercolours alongside the preparatory sketches that shaped them. Across a lifetime, Cornish filled 269 sketchbooks, capturing the streets, people, and communities of the Durham coalfield with remarkable insight and warmth. His belief that sketchbooks should “have a life of their own… to teach people to look at things” comes alive in this display, which also features a major new acquisition made possible with the legacy funds of the Friends of the Bowes Museum, strengthening the museum’s collection of one of the North’s celebrated twentieth-century artists.

Venue:: The Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle, County Durham, DL12 8NP
Date:: Jun 26th 2026 - Jan 3rd 2027
Opening Times:: Daily 10:00 - 17:00
Price:: £19.50/under 18s Free

Ration Books to Moon Landings

The 1950’s and 60’s were two of the most significant decades in the history of the United Kingdom. Coming out of the ravages and losses of World War II, the nation had to literally and emotionally rebuild itself. The period saw great changes in the lives and living standards of all Britons, including the inhabitants of Alnwick and its surrounding area. This exhibition will draw on a wide range of artefacts, images and sound recordings from throughout the Bailiffgate collection, to explore the postwar decades.

Venue:: Bailiffgate Museum, 14 Bailiffgate, Alnwick, Northumberland, NE66 1LX
Date:: Jun 3rd 2026 - Aug 30th 2026
Opening Times:: Sun and Tue-Sat 10:00 - 16:00
Price:: £6/£5/under 16s £1/under 5s Free

When Britain Stood Still: The General Strike at 100

To mark the 100th anniversary of the British General Strike, this exhibition reveals how workers, politicians and trade unionists faced the challenge of the General Strike and how its opponents organised to resist it. What emerges here from the documents, photographs and oral histories is a narrative of solidarity and sacrifice during Britain’s largest industrial dispute, as well as the hostile response from the government.

Venue:: Philip Robinson Library, Jesmond Road West, Newcastle Upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, NE2 4HQ
Date:: May 8th 2026 - Oct 18th 2026
Opening Times:: 8th May - 18th Oct 2026 TBC
Price:: Free

Emerson Mayes – A Fleeting Presence

A Fleeting Presence brings together the quiet practice of landscape painting and wildlife printmaking; where observation becomes something softer, more intuitive, more immediate. Paintings unfold in layers of colour, tracing shifting skies, open ground, moving water and the hush of distant horizons. Expressive, gestural brushstrokes in a summer palette of greens, yellows and blues, render the glare of sunshine. Field, river, hedgerow and coastline are captured in high season.

Venue:: The Biscuit Factory, 16 Stoddard Street, Newcastle, NE2 1AN
Date:: Jul 10th 2026 - Sep 6th 2026
Opening Times:: Daily 10:00 - 17:00
Price:: Free

“…nothing to see here” Drawings and paintings by Nicholas Whitmore

“It is ridiculous to pretend that you have any agency over your fate. I stumbled into freelance cartooning for The Spectator in 1990. I managed to get published in Private Eye for the first time in 1994. In 2006 I became the editorial page cartoonist for the Newcastle Journal. The pandemic brought my career as a cartoonist to an abrupt end, so I did what Van Gogh did in 1885 and learned how to paint in oils by using vases of flowers as my subjects.”

Venue:: Arts Centre Washington, Biddick Lane, Fatfield, Washington, NE38 8AB
Date:: Jun 26th 2026 - Aug 1st 2026
Opening Times:: Fri-Sat 09:00 - 16:00 , Wed 09:00 - 17:00 , Thu 09:00 - 21:00 , Tue 13:00 - 21:00
Price:: Free

Lighting the Way: 150 Years of Mothers’ Union

2026 marks the 150th anniversary of Mothers’ Union, which began in 1876 with a small gathering led by founder Mary Sumner. It has since grown into a global movement supporting families and communities around the world. This exhibition explores the story of Mothers’ Union in the context of the Diocese of Newcastle. It highlights the organisation’s enduring local presence and influence over more than a century.

Venue:: Newcastle Cathedral, St. Nicholas Sq, Newcastle, NE1 1DF
Date:: Jul 1st 2026 - Aug 9th 2026
Opening Times:: Sat-Sun 08:00 - 17:00 , Mon-Fri 08:00 - 18:00
Price:: Free

Hands On: Pedagogy, Practice, Research

This exhibition showcases University of Sunderland Fine Art’s internationally recognised teaching, artistic and creative practice research, including academics, creative technicians and practice-based PhD and research community. Exhibited artists: Ralf Broeg, Victoria Doyle, Natalie Gale, Hannah Gawne, Lothar Goetz, Will Hughes, James Hutchinson, Craig Knowles, Dr Fiona Larkin, Graham Mitchinson, Paul Raymond, Speaking in Tongues, and Strange Quark Creative (James Stephen Wright and Polina Chizhova) – James Stephen Wright is a AHRC funded PhD student in Fine Art at University of Sunderland.

Venue:: Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art, c/o National Glass Centre, Liberty Way, Sunderland, SR6 0GL
Date:: Jun 6th 2026 - Jul 31st 2026
Opening Times:: Mon-Sat 10:00 - 17:00
Price:: Free

Anna-Marie Gallares: I Carry It With Me

The first UK institutional solo exhibition by Anna-Marie Gallares, a Filipina artist based in Newcastle upon Tyne. The exhibition features two bodies of work, the monumental painted tapestry A Year In My Life in the central space and four recent large-scale paintings displayed on the exterior walls. A Year In My Life was produced by Gallares for her BA Fine Art degree show in 2023. This marks the first time the tapestry has been exhibited publicly. Inspired by illustrative storytelling, Gallares’ 18ft tapestry is filled with striking and vivid patterns depicting 20 childhood memories from her first year in the UK.

Venue:: Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art, c/o National Glass Centre, Liberty Way, Sunderland, SR6 0GL
Date:: Jun 6th 2026 - Jul 31st 2026
Opening Times:: Mon-Sat 10:00 - 17:00
Price:: Free

Plein Air North East

Plein Air North East is a collective of professional artists - Stuart Jones, Susanna Heath, Maria Laffey Cooper, Anna Goulding, Steve Sherris and Lewis Dimmick - who paint directly from the landscape. This exhibition features oils, watercolours, and acrylics capturing rural, urban and coastal scenes across the North East and Scotland. Their work celebrates the joy of painting outdoors and the peace found through a deep connection to nature.

Venue:: The People's Theatre Gallery, Open only on performance nights, People's Theatre, Stephenson Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 5QF
Date:: Jun 16th 2026 - Jul 24th 2026
Opening Times:: Mon-Sat 18:30 - 21:00
Price:: Free

PRISM 2026

A vibrant showcase of new work from Prism Arts’ studio. The exhibition reflects the rapid development of the studio since 2024, presenting the vivid, individual styles and evolving practices of artists working within the Carlisle-based centre. Across painting, drawing, and mixed media, the show brings together a rich and varied collection of work made over the past year, highlighting distinct artistic approaches and processes.

Venue:: Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery, Carlisle Street, Carlisle, Cumbria, CA3 8TP
Date:: Jul 18th 2026 - Jul 26th 2026
Opening Times:: Mon-Sat 10:00 - 16:00
Price:: Adult admission (valid for 12 months) £15/Under 18s Free

Matisse: Drawing with Scissors

A joyful new exhibition celebrating one of the most important and influential artists of the twentieth century. Matisse: Drawing with Scissors invites visitors of all ages to step into the bold, playful and colourful world of Henri Matisse, a French visual artist who was responsible for key innovations in painting and sculpture in the 1900s. The exhibition offers an engaging introduction to one of art history's most recognisable styles. Created during the final four years of Matisse's life, when ill health confined him to bed, these cut-outs are among his most celebrated works.

Venue:: Preston Park Museum, Yarm Road, Eaglescliffe, Stockton-on-Tees, TS18 3RH
Date:: Jul 15th 2026 - Oct 15th 2026
Opening Times:: Sun and Tue-Sat 10:00 - 16:00
Price:: £12/£8/under 3s Free

Through the Lens - Photographs by Anna Miller

To mark the 10th anniversary of GemArts Masala Festival, this special exhibition showcases a vibrant collection of photographs by Anna Miller capturing the festival's most memorable moments. From spectacular performances to joyful community gatherings, the images celebrate a decade of artists, audiences and the creativity that makes Masala Festival one of the UK's leading celebrations of South Asian arts and culture.

Venue:: Gateshead Central Library, Prince Consort Road, Gateshead, NE8 4LN
Date:: Jul 4th 2026 - Oct 10th 2026
Opening Times:: Sat 09:00 - 13:00 , Tue-Wed and Fri 09:00 - 17:00 , Mon and Thu 09:00 - 19:00
Price:: Free

Celebrating WanBel

On 16 September 2025, Papua New Guinea celebrated their 50th Anniversary of Independence. To mark this important milestone, museums around the world are sharing their collections of cultural artefacts from the country. Great North Museum: Hancock is delighted to contribute to this global exhibition and take part in honouring Papua New Guinea’s cultural legacy and artistic wonders. ‘WanBel’: a Tok Pisin phrase meaning community spirit, it literally means ‘one belly’.

Venue:: Great North Museum: Hancock, Barras Bridge, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4PT
Date:: Jun 16th 2026 - Sep 20th 2026
Opening Times:: Sat 10:00 - 16:00 , Sun 11:00 - 16:00 , Mon-Fri 10:00 - 17:00
Price:: Free

From Bosnia to Tyneside

Through film, family photographs and personal objects, Smajo Beso shares the story of his childhood escape from the war in Bosnia. In 1994, aged just nine, Smajo and his family were forced to flee their home in Stolac, leaving behind everything they knew to begin a new life on Tyneside.

Venue:: Discovery Museum, (Closed on all Bank Holidays) Blandford Square, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 4JA
Date:: Jul 10th 2026 - Jul 28th 2026
Opening Times:: Sat-Sun 11:00 - 16:00 , Mon-Fri 10:00 - 16:00
Price:: Free

Make & Mend at Belsay Hall

This summer, Belsay Hall hosts a new exhibition in partnership with Northumbria University. Make and Mend invites artists to produce creative responses to Belsay’s rich heritage through a range of disciplines, including textiles, furniture, photography, and architectural studies. The exhibition blends traditional craftsmanship with contemporary techniques, celebrating both the history of making and the ongoing art of preservation.

Venue:: Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens, Belsay, Nr Morpeth, Northumberland, NE20 0DX
Date:: Jun 27th 2026 - Sep 27th 2026
Opening Times:: Daily TBC
Price:: From £12.12

SIRF’s Up 2026: 20 Years Photographing The Festival

SIRF’s Up is back at ARC. Ten years ago photographer Adam Parkin hosted his first exhibition of photographs from Stockton International Riverside Festival, also known as SIRF. This year he is back with an extensive collection of images from the festival. The exhibition will feature images of the festival dating back from 2005 and promises to be a showcase of your favourite SIRF memories. It will be great for SIRF regulars or first-time visitors to the festival.

Venue:: Arc, Dovecot Street, Stockton-on-Tees, TS18 1LL
Date:: Jul 14th 2026 - Aug 8th 2026
Opening Times:: Mon 12:00 - 16:00 , Wed-Sat 10:00 - 20:00 , Tue 10:00 - 16:00
Price:: Free

Gone But Not Forgotten: Remembering Britain's Vanished Species Through Art and Science

Gone But Not Forgotten brings together museum specimens and original artwork by Stephen Livingstone to explore the stories of animals that have disappeared from Britain or become increasingly rare. Drawing on rarely displayed objects from Durham University's Natural Science Collection, the exhibition features skeletons, skulls, taxidermy and paintings that reveal the traces animals leave behind and invite us to imagine the lives they once lived. From the giant deer and Great Auk to wolves and lynx, these remarkable species help tell a story of change, loss and survival.

Venue:: Museum of Archaeology, Museum of Archaeology, Palace Green Library, Palace Green, Durham, County Durham, DH1 3RN
Date:: Jul 18th 2026 - Sep 21st 2026
Opening Times:: Sun and Tue-Sat 10:00 - 17:00 , Mon 12:00 - 17:00
Price:: Free