Art
Concretopias and Beyond
A display of work by school children exploring how developments of the 1960s and 1970s have influenced their relationship with where they live. Working with geographer Mike Jeffries, who over the past decade has helped a range of groups to create personal experience maps of their local areas, the children started by tearing up tourist maps of Tyneside, replacing the civic grandeur and cultural icons with the real world do family, home and pets, often mixing physical streets with virtual spaces and computer games. In these maps, we see the city depicted by those whose voices are rarely heard.
- Venue:
- Farrell Centre, The Sir Terry Farrell Building, Eldon Place, Newcastle, NE1 7RD
- Date:
-
Apr 10th 2025 - Aug 31st 2025
- Opening Times:
-
Sun and Wed-Sat 10:00 - 17:00
- Price:
- Free
Harold Offeh: The Mothership Collective 2.0
A platform for play, gathering, curiosity, imaginative making and thinking, The Mothership Collective 2.0 is a sci-fi playscape for collaborative encounters. You are invited to play and interact with activities and materials inspired by sci-fi, possible futures, and imagined utopian places. Different zones explore different sensory experiences. Experiment with weight and mass in the habitat zone, identity and performance on the yellow stage, make patterns with sound, and prophecies and predictions for the future with text.
- Venue:
- BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art, South Shore Road, Gateshead Quays, Gateshead, NE8 3BA
- Date:
-
Jul 5th 2025 - Feb 1st 2026
- Opening Times:
-
Sun and Wed-Sat 10:00 - 18:00
- Price:
- Free
Lucien Anderson: Brief Candle, Splendid Torch
Anderson presents new, wall-based sculptural works that touch on his interest in the fundamentals of human survival, solitary outposts and brief camaraderie. Through a series of totemic works; Anderson applies the brakes, exploring acts of nourishment, the pursuit of fantastical adventure, and moments of vulnerability in the face of an indifferent landscape.
- Venue:
- Slugtown, 44 Wretham Place, Shieldfield, Newcastle, NE2 1XU
- Date:
-
Jul 4th 2025 - Aug 3rd 2025
- Opening Times:
-
Thu-Sat 11:00 - 17:00
- Price:
- Free
+Fabricating My Own Myth – Red Threads & Silver Needles
Step into a world where myth, memory, and material collide. Newcastle Contemporary Art proudly presents +Fabricating My Own Myth – Red Threads & Silver Needles, an exhibition by artist Delaine Le Bas, who continues her exploration of linguistics, mythology, and Gypsy Roma Traveller narratives through the tactile power of textiles, language, and storytelling. Unfolding as a monumental installation that spills across NCA’s two vast gallery spaces and beyond, Le Bas’ work transforms the building into a living, breathing tapestry of interconnected stories. Created during her month-long residency at Newcastle Contemporary Art this spring, the exhibition culminates in an immersive environment where fabric and thread become instruments of rebellion, resistance, and revelation.
- Venue:
- Newcastle Contemporary Art, High Bridge Works, 31-39 High Bridge, Newcastle upon-Tyne, NE1 1EW
- Date:
-
May 31st 2025 - Aug 2nd 2025
- Opening Times:
-
Thu-Sat 12:00 - 17:00
- Price:
- Free
Magna Carta and the North
Durham Cathedral is fortunate to possess three issues of Magna Carta, including the only surviving 1216 issue and further engrossments from 1225 and 1300, along with three Forest Charters including one of only two surviving 1217 issues, and further issues from 1225 and 1300. Recognised as being one of the most important documents in history, Magna Carta was first issued in 1215. It established the principle that everyone is subject to the law, even the King himself, and guaranteed the rights of individuals, the right to justice and the right to a fair trial. With three clauses from the 1225 Magna Carta still in force today, the document remains a cornerstone of British democracy. 800 years after the 1225 Magna Carta was issued, this exhibition will feature all six documents, exploring why Durham Cathedral came to have them, what they meant for life in the north of England, and their continuing importance today.
- Venue:
- Durham Cathedral, Chapter Office, Palace Green, Durham, DH1 3EH
- Date:
-
Jul 11th 2025 - Nov 2nd 2025
- Opening Times:
-
Mon-Sat 10:00 - 16:00 , Sun 12:00 - 16:00
- Price:
- £7.50/under 18s Free
STEAM to the Future
This family friendly exhibition, following Railway Pioneers: Celebrating the Railway Rockstars of the Past, is transporting us into the present and beyond. STEAM to the Future takes a playful look at the near and BlueSky thinking using commissioned art pieces showcasing the design and science behind the rail industry.
- Venue:
- Hopetown, McNay Street, Darlington, DL3 6SW
- Date:
-
Jul 11th 2025 - Oct 5th 2025
- Opening Times:
-
Sun and Tue-Sat 10:00 - 17:00
- Price:
- Free
An exhibition of work by Charlie Rogers
United by seven iconic bridges across a bustling quayside, Newcastle and Gateshead has been a source of inspiration for many local artists including Charlie Rogers. Charlie was a self-taught artist who lived close to Gateshead Central Library, exhibiting in the gallery many times during the 60 years that he painted. He had a unique style and character in his work which captured his love of the streets and back lanes of Tyneside and the areas near the library including the Shipley Art Gallery and Saltwell Park. This exhibition will showcase a selection of paintings, watercolours and sketches, including some artworks that have recently been discovered.
- Venue:
- Gateshead Central Library, Prince Consort Road, Gateshead, NE8 4LN
- Date:
-
Jul 12th 2025 - Sep 27th 2025
- Opening Times:
-
Sat 09:00 - 13:00 , Tue-Wed and Fri 09:00 - 17:00 , Mon and Thu 09:00 - 19:00
- Price:
- Free
Sci-Fi Monsters Exhibition: Seek, Locate, Restore!
Ten years ago, multi-media artist and author Neil Cole swapped life in the classroom for that of curator and creator of The Museum of Classic Sci-Fi in Allendale. For some 25 years, Neil has amassed and restored an eclectic collection of screen-used props, costumes and production material from classic films and TV series. This exhibition celebrates both the work of countless creatives who have sought to make real the impossible - and Neil’s work ensuring the survival of this legacy for future generations to enjoy.
- Venue:
- Queen's Hall Arts Centre, Beaumont Street, Hexham, NE46 3LS
- Date:
-
Jul 14th 2025 - Sep 6th 2025
- Opening Times:
-
Mon-Sat 10:00 - 16:00
- Price:
- Free
Twenty Years of EDAN
2025 marks the 25th anniversary of the founding of EDAN. This exhibition shows both the range of work they are currently undertaking and also something of their history.
- Venue:
- EDAN Gallery, The Art Block, 74 Church Street, Seaham, County Durham, SR7 7HF
- Date:
-
Jul 15th 2025 - Aug 23rd 2025
- Opening Times:
-
Tue-Fri 11:00 - 15:00 , Sat 10:00 - 16:00
- Price:
- Free
Masala Festival: Death Magic by Sofia Barton
"Death Magic" offers a poignant journey through the intersection of neurodivergent experience and the rich tapestry of Punjabi perspectives on death, ancestry, and the enduring power of memory. This deeply personal exhibition by Sofia Barton presents a compelling collection of drawings, ethereal cyanotypes on glass, evocative paintings, and symbolically decorated rehals. These diverse mediums explore themes of roots, legacy, and how the essence of loved ones remains woven into the fabric of our lives, informed by both personal neurodivergent experiences and Punjabi cultural narratives. “Death Magic" invites contemplation on the delicate connections between life and remembrance.
- Venue:
- Vane, 65 High St, Gateshead, NE8 2AP
- Date:
-
Jul 14th 2025 - Aug 2nd 2025
- Opening Times:
-
Wed-Sat 12:00 - 17:00
- Price:
- Free
Where Were You Last Summer?
This exhibition examines women’s hidden voices of dissent from a South Asian perspective. Sehr Jalil and Padma Rao, two visual artists collaborate and explore the underlying currents of a post-colonial identity through personal stories and archival enquiry. In the context of the recent unrest in the summer of 2024, the artists investigate the tension and space between colonialism and women’s activism, unpacking the notion of conflict, violence and resilience; and how they are interpreted in the current climate.
- Venue:
- Arts Centre Washington, Biddick Lane, Fatfield, Washington, NE38 8AB
- Date:
-
Jul 18th 2025 - Aug 30th 2025
- 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
Harvest from the Deep
Pete Robinson is a North Shields-based award-winning wedding photographer but for the past 10 years has been on a mission to record the working and home lives of local fishermen engaged in one of the UK’s most dangerous industries. This exhibition includes a selection of photographs that capture the heart and soul of the North Shields fishing industry.
- Venue:
- The Old Low Light, Clifford's Fort, North Shields, Tyne & Wear, NE30 1JA
- Date:
-
Jul 22nd 2025 - Aug 30th 2025
- Opening Times:
-
Tue-Sat 10:00 - 15:00
- Price:
- Free
Gold: A Journey Through Layers
Thiago Ponsancini returns with his second abstract art exhibition — this time a tribute to the country that shaped his childhood memories, Brazil. This collection of work is influenced by the gold rush towns of Minas Gerais, the drama of baroque architecture and its vast landscapes. These elements come together through bold textures, metallics, and layered colours, each painting rich with textural elements and stories. Conveying movement, beauty, and memory, the collection is indicative of the artist's emotional journey. Ultimately, 'Gold: A Journey Through Layers' is a celebration of identity, heritage, and the stories we carry — told not through words, but through layers on canvas.
- Venue:
- Bottleworks, 8 Riverside Walk, Ouseburn, Newcastle, NE6 1LX
- Date:
-
Jul 24th 2025 - Jul 28th 2025
- Opening Times:
-
Thu 10:00 - 18:00 , Sun-Mon and Fri-Sat 10:00 - 19:00
- Price:
- Free
Shorelines
A mixed exhibition of contemporary art inspired by our island coastline. A host of artists from across a range of disciplines will be exhibiting work that celebrates the space where land meets sea - whether it's the natural features of sandy beaches and rocky shores, the wildlife and sealife that thrives in these places, or the way we enjoy our coastline. Expect a curated collection of paintings, print, sculpture, and more from artists including Graham Rider, Sarah Carrington, Graham Muir, Kate Boxer, Stephanie Cunningham, Rhonda Smith and many more.
- Venue:
- The Biscuit Factory, 16 Stoddard Street, Newcastle, NE2 1AN
- Date:
-
Jul 25th 2025 - Sep 7th 2025
- Opening Times:
-
Daily 10:00 - 17:00
- Price:
- Free
Pippa Hale: Pet Project
Showcasing a solo commission by acclaimed artist, Pippa Hale, Pet Project sees the museum’s renowned ceramic collection re-imagined into a vibrant and interactive experience for all ages. With larger-than-life, soft recreations of animal figurines that can be played with, art and animal lovers can explore a display of the original ceramics that inspired them and share their own cherished items with the community. Be inspired as you learn about the traditional decorating and manufacturing techniques, as well as the cultural stories behind the collection, and create your own charming figurines to take home.
- Venue:
- The Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle, County Durham, DL12 8NP
- Date:
-
Jul 26th 2025 - Mar 1st 2026
- Opening Times:
-
Daily 10:00 - 17:00
- Price:
- £19.50/under 18s Free
Ro Robertson: The Ribs Begin To Rise
The first institutional solo show by contemporary artist Ro Robertson presenting a newly commissioned series of sculptural works alongside large-scale drawings and a video installation. Staged on the banks of the River Wear in Robertson’s hometown of Sunderland, The Ribs Begin to Rise takes inspiration from its location. It draws on the mouth of the River Wear, Sunderland Docks, Hendon Paper Works, the ropeworks and the 700 female shipbuilders who lived and worked in Sunderland. The exhibition reflects on Robertson’s family working-class history and the materials key to the industries which came to define Robertson’s upbringing and the region.
- Venue:
- Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art, c/o National Glass Centre, Liberty Way, Sunderland, SR6 0GL
- Date:
-
Jul 26th 2025 - Jan 10th 2026
- Opening Times:
-
Daily 10:00 - 17:00
- Price:
- Free
Jill McKnight: Past and Future Pact
A new body of work by artist Jill McKnight comprising sculpture, works on paper and video inspired by Sunderland’s industrial heritage. The artworks were produced using art and design facilities at University of Sunderland while artist-in-residence for AA2A and DePOT (Deindustrialization and the Politics of Our Time) between 2023-24. The resulting body of work explores the identity of Sunderland 30 years on from mass closures across many heavy industries.
- Venue:
- Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art, c/o National Glass Centre, Liberty Way, Sunderland, SR6 0GL
- Date:
-
Jul 26th 2025 - Dec 9th 2025
- Opening Times:
-
Daily 10:00 - 17:00
- Price:
- Free
‘Seeking the Disabled Christ’ – Exhibition by Rachel Holdforth
Traditional portrayals of Christ often emphasise ideals of perfection, strength and beauty. Yet, Christ is resurrected with his wounds. His full humanity and sharing in the complete range of human experiences is as important as his divinity, since he is Emmanuel, God with us. This collection of prints by Rachel Holdforth – a disabled, neurodivergent and queer spiritual director, printmaker and chaplain – challenges the conventions of beauty and perfection, offering a powerful critique of cultural and religious norms that have historically marginalised people with disabilities. Through these striking images, Christ is depicted in solidarity with all humanity, revealing that divinity is present in vulnerability, difference and embodied experience.
- Venue:
- Newcastle Cathedral, St. Nicholas Sq, Newcastle, NE1 1DF
- Date:
-
Jul 30th 2025 - Aug 27th 2025
- Opening Times:
-
Sat-Sun 08:00 - 17:00 , Mon-Fri 08:00 - 18:00
- 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’s something for everyone. Most of the paintings are available to buy in order to support future Painting For Fun sessions. Preview on Friday 1 August, 6pm.
- Venue:
- Shieldfield Art Works, Formerly The Holy Biscuit, Opposite The Biscuit Factory, 1 Clarence Street, Shieldfield, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 1YH
- Date:
-
Aug 2nd 2025 - Aug 30th 2025
- Opening Times:
-
Tue-Thu 11:00 - 16:00
- Price:
- Free
Newcastle University MFA Fine Art Degree Show 2025
The Newcastle University Fine Art MFA Degree Show brings together the work of emerging artists at both the mid-point and the culmination of two years of study on the MFA. The exhibition includes a diverse set of contemporary voices, practices and media including painting, new media, film, video, sculpture, photography, print, sound, and installation.
- Venue:
- Hatton Gallery, The Quadrangle, University of Newcastle, 6 Kensington Terrace, Newcastle, NE1 7RU
- Date:
-
Aug 9th 2025 - Aug 30th 2025
- Opening Times:
-
Mon-Sat 10:00 - 17:00
- Price:
- Free
Northern Summer Exhibition 2025
This open-submission exhibition displays a fascinating and varied showcase of artwork from North-East artists, exhibiting a range of mediums, genre, subject and abilities. Whether a professional, a hobbyist, or have always fancied having a go, any Northern artist is welcome.
- Venue:
- Arts Centre Washington, Biddick Lane, Fatfield, Washington, NE38 8AB
- Date:
-
Aug 9th 2025 - Sep 13th 2025
- 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
Lafcadio Hearn – Kwaidan
This Autumn at Ushaw, see a touring exhibition of prints inspired by Lafcadio Hearn’s Kwaidan book of Japanese ghost stories. Perfect for spooky season! Hearn studied at Ushaw in the 1860s, subsequently he travelled in America and the Caribbean before settling in Japan. Renowned for his late nineteenth century works on Japanese life and culture, the exhibition features 40 original prints in response to the ghost stories.
- Venue:
- Ushaw: Historic House, Chapels and Gardens, Woodland Road, Durham, DH7 9RH
- Date:
-
Sep 6th 2025 - Nov 2nd 2025
- Opening Times:
-
Mon-Sat 11:00 - 16:00
- Price:
- £10/under 18s £6/under 5s Free
British Wildlife Photography Awards
A revered showcase of nature photography in Britain and a crucial reminder of what value our woodlands, wetlands and other ecosystems still hold with award-winning photographs from different categories including animal behaviour, animal portraits, botanic Britain, black and white, British seasons, coast and marine, habitat, hidden Britain, urban wildlife and wild woods.
- Venue:
- Bishop Auckland Town Hall, Market Place, Bishop Auckland, DL14 7NP
- Date:
-
Sep 13th 2025 - Nov 29th 2025
- Opening Times:
-
Mon-Sat 10:00 - 16:00
- Price:
- Free
Dressed for Departure: Fashion in the age of rail
Commemorating the Stockton and Darlington Railway’s bicentenary, this special exhibition brings together historic fashion, toys and artworks that reflect on how the engineering marvel reshaped lives and culture. See the world’s first toy train set up close, gifted by Edward Pease, the ‘Father of the Railway’, to his son, garments from key moments in the region’s railway history and artworks that capture its journey through the picturesque landscapes of Teesdale.
- Venue:
- The Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle, County Durham, DL12 8NP
- Date:
-
Sep 27th 2025 - Jan 1st 2026
- Opening Times:
-
Daily 10:00 - 17:00
- Price:
- £19.50/under 18s Free
Colour: A kaleidoscopic journey!
What is colour? Why does it mean different things in different cultures and times? And how has colour been linked to power, value, and even prejudice? From the deep blues of religious art to the fiery reds of political movements, colour is more than just something we see – it’s something we feel, use, and sometimes even smell. Colour: A Kaleidoscopic Journey! dives into this fascinating world, revealing how colour influences our beliefs, our bodies, and our reality.
- Venue:
- Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery, Carlisle Street, Carlisle, Cumbria, CA3 8TP
- Date:
-
Sep 27th 2025 - Jan 25th 2026
- Opening Times:
-
Mon-Sat 10:00 - 16:00
- Price:
- Adult admission (valid for 12 months) £15/Under 18s Free
Jagged Edges
An exhibition of printmaking, poetry and music created by and for survivors of church-related abuse. The artists – David Creese, Peter Locke and Sarah Troughton – draw links between their own experiences and the story of Jesus as he approached his crucifixion.
- Venue:
- Newcastle Cathedral, St. Nicholas Sq, Newcastle, NE1 1DF
- Date:
-
Oct 1st 2025 - Nov 26th 2025
- Opening Times:
-
Sat-Sun 08:00 - 17:00 , Mon-Fri 08:00 - 18:00
- Price:
- Free
