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

Creative Age Group Exhibition: Our Memories, Our Way

This exhibition reflects the six-year journey of the Creative Age Group from March 2020 to March 2026 — a journey shaped by creativity, connection, resilience, and support. What began as creative workshops became a safe and welcoming space where people formed friendships, rebuilt confidence, and supported one another through life’s challenges. During times of uncertainty and isolation, the group offered comfort, routine, laughter, and a sense of belonging. The artworks displayed here represent more than creativity alone. Behind every piece is a personal story of growth, healing, memory, and self-expression.

Venue:

Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens, Mowbray Gardens, Burdon Road, Sunderland, SR1 1PP

Date:

Jul 17th 2026 - Aug 29th 2026

Opening Times:

Sat 10:00 - 16:00 , Mon-Fri 09:30 - 17:00

Price:

Free

Light and Fire: 500 Years of Tyndale’s New Testament

This special exhibition marks the 500-year anniversary of William Tyndale publishing his English translation of the New Testament. Banned by the authorities, this dangerous book was smuggled into England, where it helped to shape the English Reformation and transformed the very language we speak today. This is a unique opportunity to see an edition of Tyndale’s New Testament produced just months before his cruel execution as a heretic, displayed alongside other significant books, including a series of rare sixteenth-century Bibles.

Venue:

Faith Museum, Auckland Palace, Market Place, Bishop Auckland, DL14 7NR

Date:

Jul 15th 2026 - Dec 31st 2026

Opening Times:

Sun and Wed-Sat 10:30 - 16:00

Price:

Free with Auckland Palace Admission £18/child £5

Stanley Davison: A Decade in Paint

Davison is a self-taught Hartlepool artist who started painting at ten and never stopped. He grew up partly in Dumbarton, moved to Hartlepool as a child, worked in the steelworks and then spent twelve years framing pictures at Classic Art on Park Road, painting in every spare hour. His first exhibition was in 1981 at the Gray Art Gallery. This is his most substantial show since.

Venue:

Hartlepool Art Gallery, The Tourist Information Centre, Church Square, Hartlepool, TS24 7EQ

Date:

Jul 18th 2026 - Oct 10th 2026

Opening Times:

Tue-Sat 10:00 - 17:00

Price:

Free

V&A DesignLab Nation

A display of artwork by secondary school students in partnership with V&A. The title of this year's project is 'Chairs for Change: Designing for outdoors'. Between November 2025 and May 2026, students from Benfield School and Heworth Grange School worked with North East Museums and local installation artist, sculptor and designer, Victoria Franka, on this year’s DesignLab Nation design challenge. Inspired by the historic and contemporary chairs displayed at the Shipley Art Gallery, students were tasked to rethink what sitting together could mean in their own community by designing seating for their outdoor school spaces.

Venue:

Shipley Art Gallery, Prince Consort Road, Gateshead, NE8 4JB

Date:

Jul 16th 2026 - Sep 5th 2026

Opening Times:

Tue-Fri 10:00 - 16:00 , Sat 10:00 - 17:00

Price:

Free

North East Festival of Blossom 2026: Blossom Through a Wearside Lens photography exhibition

As part of the North East Festival of Blossom, and in connection with the Sunderland Connecting Through Nature project, Sunderland City Council’s Sustainable Regeneration Team organised a photography competition: Blossom Through a Wearside Lens - Celebrating the beauty of nature in Sunderland. Come along to see a selection of photographs from the winner and runners up displayed around Washington Old Hall gardens.

Venue:

Washington Old Hall, The Avenue, District 4, Washington, NE38 7LE

Date:

Jul 5th 2026 - Sep 20th 2026

Opening Times:

Sun-Mon and Fri-Sat 10:00 - 17:00

Price:

Free, normal admission applies

Prints from the Collection

Studio Prints, led by Dorothea Wight and Marc Balakjian, was at the heart of printmaking in London for 40 years. Their work is shown alongside a selection of etchings produced by the studio in collaboration with artists such as Lucian Freud and Frank Auerbach.

Venue:

Northern Print, Stepney Bank, Newcastle, NE1 2NP

Date:

Jul 25th 2026 - Sep 12th 2026

Opening Times:

Wed-Sat 12:00 - 16:00

Price:

Free

Salad presents | Objects of indifference and love

A group exhibition by Salad, a curatorial project set up by Andrew McDonald and Pat Flynn. An artist’s relationship with their work is often a profound and passionate affair, marked by an intense love-indifference dynamic. In the throes of creation, they may experience moments of euphoria and inspiration, where their vision comes to life with startling clarity and beauty. Yet, this journey is frequently punctuated by periods of frustration and self-doubt, as the pursuit of perfection reveals the flaws and limitations in their work. It is this turbulent process that “objects of indifference and love” explores. mythologies around the production of art are both exposed and added to in the work of these artists.

Venue:

36 Lime Street, 36 Lime Street, Ouseburn, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 2PQ

Date:

Jul 25th 2026 - Aug 2nd 2026

Opening Times:

Sat-Sun 10:30 - 19:30 , Mon-Fri 12:00 - 14:00 , Mon-Fri 17:00 - 20:00

Price:

Free

Happy Rooms

Everyone is invited to come and get happy in Middlesbrough this summer with 12 immersive, artist-designed rooms celebrating colour, creativity and play - designed to ignite imaginations and bring joy to visitors young and old. Created by Stellar Creates, producers of Nightfall, Happy Rooms will explore what it means to be and feel happy by creating a world where you’re invited to explore, interact and embrace the unexpected at every turn.

Venue:

Middlesbrough Town Hall, Albert Road, Middlesbrough, TS1 2QJ

Date:

Jul 27th 2026 - Aug 30th 2026

Opening Times:

27th Jul - 30th Aug 2026 09:30 - 17:00

Price:

Children £6.50/Adults £8.50

Keeping it Local

Focus will be upon local, East Durham subject matter.

Venue:

EDAN Gallery, The Art Block, 74 Church Street, Seaham, County Durham, SR7 7HF

Date:

Jul 28th 2026 - Sep 5th 2026

Opening Times:

Tue-Fri 11:00 - 15:00 , Sat 10:00 - 16:00

Price:

Free

Painting For Fun Summer Exhibition

A vibrant exhibition, bringing together an eclectic group of artists united by their love of painting. With subject matter ranging from landscapes, portraits, local scenes and botanical studies, there will be something for everyone. All the paintings in the exhibition have been produced by class members, and most are available to buy in order to support further the work of Painting for Fun. We also have calendars that are perfect for a gift.

Venue:

Shieldfield Art Works, Formerly The Holy Biscuit, Opposite The Biscuit Factory, 1 Clarence Street, Shieldfield, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 1YH

Date:

Jul 24th 2026 - Aug 22nd 2026

Opening Times:

Tue-Thu 11:00 - 16:00

Price:

Free

Things That Go

Discovery Museum’s brand-new gallery space will launch with a playful transport exhibition for families with younger children. From boats and bicycles to tractors, trains and planes, explore the exciting world of transport through hands-on play and a myriad of museum objects. Whether it rolls, flies, or floats, there’s something to spark every little explorer’s imagination. Learn and play together in this colourful destination for curious kids and their grown-ups.

Venue:

Discovery Museum, (Closed on all Bank Holidays) Blandford Square, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 4JA

Date:

Aug 1st 2026 - Feb 28th 2027

Opening Times:

Sat-Sun 11:00 - 16:00 , Mon-Fri 10:00 - 16:00

Price:

Free

The Northern Summer Exhibition 2026

Now a staple of Newcastle Arts Centre and The North of England Art Club’s calendar, this annual, open submission exhibition invites entries from all North Eastern and Cumbrian artists. Each year it strives to introduce new artists and to further enrich the network of practicing creatives at home in the North.

Venue:

Newcastle Arts Centre, 67 Westgate Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 1SG

Date:

Aug 3rd 2026 - Sep 12th 2026

Opening Times:

Mon-Sat 09:30 - 17:00

Price:

Free

‘A Quest for Light’ – Charles Knights: An Exhibition of Watercolours

A keen watercolour artist, Charles has attended courses in the UK, Europe and North America, and has held five ‘one-man’ shows, at Masterworks and the Bermuda Society of Art, and in Beauville, France. His paintings are now in several private collections around the world. Through his passion for travel he has painted in a number of remote areas including the Himalayas, Coastal Alaska, the Sahara Desert, Arctic Circle, and at deserted gold mines in both California’s High Sierras and the Australian Outback.

Venue:

The Witham, 3 Horsemarket, Barnard Castle, County Durham, DL12 8YL

Date:

Aug 4th 2026 - Aug 29th 2026

Opening Times:

Tue-Sat 10:00 - 16:00

Price:

Free

CHROMA: A measure of colour

Interface Arts members have been exploring the possibilities and layered dimensions of colour to present a body of unique, original artwork celebrating the joy of colour. Research and intuition have inspired new, emerging colours, contrasts, depths and subtleties, taking the form of both figurative and abstract artwork created in a wide range of mediums.

Venue:

Arts Centre Washington, Biddick Lane, Fatfield, Washington, NE38 8AB

Date:

Aug 7th 2026 - Sep 19th 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

Dominoes Newcastle

This spectacular city-wide monumental domino run will transform Newcastle city centre into a moving sculptural chain. Across the day, thousands of breezeblocks will form an evolving sculptural chain stretching east to west through the city centre, travelling through streets, public spaces and venues, even toppling from buildings, pausing for bold, playful large-scale structures before continuing its journey. Part of NOVUM Festival.

Venue:

Newcastle City Centre, Newcastle

Date:

Aug 9th 2026

Opening Times:

9th Aug 2026 14:30 - 17:00

Price:

Free

Newcastle University MFA & MA Fine Art Degree Show 2026

This summer exhibition brings together the practices of first and second-year MFA, MA Fine Art and PHD students.

Venue:

Hatton Gallery, The Quadrangle, University of Newcastle, 6 Kensington Terrace, Newcastle, NE1 7RU

Date:

Aug 15th 2026 - Aug 29th 2026

Opening Times:

Mon-Sat 10:00 - 17:00

Price:

Free

Rhonda Fenwick, Diana Raw and Marion Thompson

Venue:

rePUBlic Gallery, Access Through The King's Head Cafe, 85 Bridge Street, Blyth, NE24 3AE

Date:

Aug 22nd 2026 - Sep 19th 2026

Opening Times:

Tue-Sat 09:00 - 15:00

Price:

Free

Victory Over the Sun: Encounters with Light

This major exhibition brings together groundbreaking works by a diverse group of international artists who explore light in innovative and unexpected ways. The exhibition takes its title from a 1913 Russian Futurist opera in which characters attempt to capture the sun and abolish time - a metaphor for the radical transformations brought about by new forms of artificial light in the 19th century. Featured artists: Maarten Baas, Yto Barrada, Tine Bech, Chila Burman, James Clar, Shezad Dawood, Olafur Eliasson, Tracey Emin, Cerith Wyn Evans, Spencer Finch, Dan Flavin, Ceal Floyer, Felix Gonzalez-Torres, Katrin Hanusch, Stuart Haygarth, Jenny Holzer, Hilary Jack, Glenn Ligon, Rafael Lozano-Hemmer, Erin McDougle, Steve McQueen, Tatsuo Miyajima, Ivan Navarro, Katie Paterson, David Shrigley, Liz West.

Venue:

The Light, Aykley Heads, Durham, DH1 5TU

Date:

Aug 22nd 2026 - Jan 17th 2027

Opening Times:

Sun 10:00 - 16:00 , Thu 10:00 - 20:00 , Mon-Wed and Fri-Sat 10:00 - 17:00

Price:

£10adv/£12.50otd/under 18s £2.50

Nature Up North

A selling exhibition of paintings by Donna Slyfield juxtaposed with ash-glazed stoneware ceramics by Carol Metcalfe, inspired by the natural world and landscapes. The diversity of landscapes is a constant inspiration for Donna. Working in various media, her intention is to work intuitively to capture an emotional connection to those elements that keep her captivated by their power and energy. Carol explores different plant species as ingredients for new ash glazes. She captures the essence of the Yorkshire countryside using textures, oxides, coloured slips, and overlapping layers of her glazes, to produce intriguingly rich and complex surfaces – from leaves to landscapes.

Venue:

The Witham, 3 Horsemarket, Barnard Castle, County Durham, DL12 8YL

Date:

Sep 2nd 2026 - Oct 3rd 2026

Opening Times:

Tue-Sat 10:00 - 16:00

Price:

Free

Hue Folk - Write Your Own Story...

If Hue Folk's witty book cover artworks have ever made you smile, this is your chance to meet the artist behind them. Join Aura Fine Art as Hue Folk unveils a brand-new collection of original works alongside his latest lenticular and studio editions. Discover the stories behind his distinctive portfolio, which has captured our hearts and imaginations while bringing personality and humour into our homes.

Venue:

Aura Fine Art Newcastle, Fenwick, 39 Northumberland Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear, NE1 7AS

Date:

Sep 5th 2026

Opening Times:

5th Sep 2026 14:00 - 16:00

Price:

Free

Mark Burden: Retrospective. Stories of Love

Mark is predominantly a landscape photographer based in Newcastle. His work explores photography as an emotional and conversational medium. He develops his ideas through the use of both colour and black and white, aiming to provide an alternative perspective through his photography - capturing what he sees and how it connects to the human world.

Venue:

The People's Theatre Gallery, Open only on performance nights, People's Theatre, Stephenson Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 5QF

Date:

Sep 7th 2026 - Oct 17th 2026

Opening Times:

Mon-Sat 18:30 - 21:00

Price:

Free

Lela Harris Exhibition

Creatively curious by nature, Lela's work is inspired by her imagination, historical research, documentary photography and the possibilities of different mediums, techniques and surfaces; resulting in an eclectic mix of work with a strong focus on portraiture.

Venue:

The Old School Gallery, Foxton Road, Alnmouth, Northumberland, NE66 3NH

Date:

Sep 18th 2026 - Oct 18th 2026

Opening Times:

Daily 10:00 - 16:00

Price:

Free

Eclecticus: New Drawings and Sculptures by Nick Banks

This latest body of work by Nick Banks, comprising drawing and sculpture, captures an eclectic breadth of subject matter, across moments, objects, and memories. As a collection, ECLECTICUS deviates from theme, developing ideas and imagery that have flowed to Nick ‘like figures emerging from the mist.’

Venue:

Newcastle Arts Centre, 67 Westgate Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 1SG

Date:

Sep 21st 2026 - Oct 31st 2026

Opening Times:

Mon-Sat 09:30 - 17:00

Price:

Free

Impressions of Light: Masterpieces from MuMa – Le Havre and The Bowes Museum

A major partnership between The Bowes Museum and the Musée d’Art Moderne André Malraux (MuMa), Le Havre. Bringing to the UK a collection of Impressionist masterpieces never-before-seen here, the exhibition traces the evolution of landscape painting from Pre-Impressionism to Post-Impressionism, featuring works by Monet, Boudin, Courbet, Pissarro and Dufy. This collaboration celebrates artistic innovation, cultural exchange and the enduring emotional power of landscapes, from the luminous French coasts to the beautiful dales of County Durham.

Venue:

The Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle, County Durham, DL12 8NP

Date:

Sep 26th 2026 - Mar 14th 2027

Opening Times:

Daily 10:00 - 17:00

Price:

£19.50/under 18s Free

Impressions of Light: Masterpieces from MuMa – Le Havre and The Bowes Museum

A major international partnership with the Musée d’Art Moderne André Malraux (MuMa), Le Havre, brings Impressionist masterpieces from France, never-before-seen in the UK, to The Bowes Museum, County Durham. Tracing the evolution of landscape painting from Pre-Impressionism to Post-Impressionism, Impressions of Light explores how artists captured landscapes through light, colour and atmosphere. Works by Claude Monet (1840–1926), Eugène Boudin (1824–1898), Gustave Courbet (1819–1877), Camille Pissarro (1830 –1903) and Raoul Dufy (1877-1953) bring to light the artistic innovation and emotional depth that transformed modern art.

Venue:

The Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle, County Durham, DL12 8NP

Date:

Sep 26th 2026 - Mar 14th 2027

Opening Times:

Daily 10:00 - 17:00

Price:

£19.50/under 18s Free

Losing Track, Holding Traces in Hexham

The latest exhibition in an ongoing project by three artists who connect with the landscape and each other through walking, drawing and making. Jane Gower works with foraged plant materials, exploring cordage, weaving and dyeing processes to create sculptural textiles in response to the natural environment; Omi Pharncote works in felt, incorporating seeds, grasses and inks which come from her walks; Jenny Purrett uses handmade inks, pigments and charcoal to create drawings which capture the vitality and transience of nature.

Venue:

Queen's Hall Arts Centre, Beaumont Street, Hexham, NE46 3LS

Date:

Oct 2nd 2026 - Nov 28th 2026

Opening Times:

Mon-Sat 10:00 - 16:00

Price:

Free

The Friday Collective

The Friday Collective is a group of local artists who attend a weekly art class at the Witham on Friday afternoons with tutor Jo Pickering. They have studied a wide range of media from watercolour, acrylics, pastels and oils. Several of the students have attended the class for almost 5 years now and their artistic progress is inspirational.

Venue:

The Witham, 3 Horsemarket, Barnard Castle, County Durham, DL12 8YL

Date:

Oct 6th 2026 - Oct 31st 2026

Opening Times:

Tue-Sat 10:00 - 16:00

Price:

Free