The Shipley Art Gallery is the North East's leading gallery of design and contemporary craft and it also boasts a spectacular collection of fine art, including William Irving's painting The Blaydon Races. Admission to the Gallery is free.
Over the last 25 years the venue has become established as a national centre for contemporary craft and has built up one of the best collections outside London, including ceramics, wood, metal, glass, textiles and furniture.
The Designs for Life gallery is home to hundreds of objects made in many parts of the world over the past 2000 years. These objects range from the special and unique to the everyday and mass-produced. They take us on a journey to explore the huge variety of ways in which we use the material world to express ourselves and to enrich our lives.
The Henry Rothschild Collection of studio ceramics is currently being prepared for a new home in the Henry Rothschild Study Centre, opening at the Shipley later this year.
The Gallery stages a varied programme of temporary exhibitions as well as regular events and activities for all ages. The Shipley Lates offer an exciting after hours experience on the last Friday of the month.
Current and Forthcoming Exhibitions
For full details of any of our exhibitions please visit www.twmuseums.org.uk/shipley|
Sit Down: Seating for Kids
22 January - 5 June 2011
When is a seat not just for sitting on? When it's for play, for eating, for learning or even for a quick snooze of course! Taking the classic children's tale Goldilocks and the Three Bears as a starting point, major new exhibition Sit Down: Seating for Kids invites you to consider just what makes the perfect seat. Is it comfort? Style? Ease of use?
Spanning four centuries, Sit Down features many examples of seating made for children, ranging from school chairs to armchairs, saddles to swings, highchairs to potties. Find the one that's 'just right' for you!
A touring exhibition from the V&A Museum of Childhood.
Supported by Ercol Furniture Ltd.
Treasures from the Shipley Art Gallery
22 January - 6 March 2011
The Shipley's superb painting collection includes works from the 16th to the 20th centuries and features landscapes, seascapes, portraits and religious subjects.
This exhibition of the collection will show a range of paintings, including old favourites and some rarely seen treasures.
The Dice Players by Georges de la Tour
19 March 2011 - 3 January 2012
George de la Tour was greatly influenced by Caravaggio and produced work for the King of France and the Duke of Lorraine as well as the bourgeoisie of Luneville. The Dice Players, painted in about 1650, was probably La Tour's last major work before his death.
The painting is on loan to the Shipley for the first time from Preston Hall Museum and Park, Stockton.
Treasures from the Shipley Art Gallery: Dutch and Flemish Artists
19 March 2011 - 4 January 2012
Explore the Shipley's superb painting collection in Treasures from the Shipley, highlighting the Gallery's important collection of Dutch paintings.
Treasures will also feature Dutch paintings on loan from the Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle.
Cloud Nylon: The Jewellery of Nora Fok
18 June - 6 November 2011
This is the first ever solo exhibition by the extraordinary jeweller, textile artist and 3D designer Nora Fok. The artist has established herself as a pioneering maker, transforming organic forms into wearable, ethereal sculpture. Her delicate, intricate forms are woven from nylon microfilament. A spectacular chance to see this wonderful jewellery in Gateshead.
A Harley Gallery exhibition.
There is also a programme of family fun events and talks from the Friends of the Shipley throughout the year. All confirmed events are on the Shipley website www.twmuseums.org.uk/shipley/thingstoseeanddo| - just scroll through the calendar for all the events.