World class artworks
and interactive sculpture

The Pitman Painters

Feast your eyes! (East gallery)
If a picture speaks a thousand words, these pitmen's paintings talk more eloquently than any photograph. See for yourself. A palette of passion has vividly rendered the human story of colliery life. Today the Ashington Group is acclaimed worldwide, yet back in the 1930s none of them would have dreamed that a few evening classes would bring them international renown.

Their story has recently inspired a wonderful play by Billy Elliot writer, Lee Hall. "Pitman Painters" has had rave reviews for its sell-out performances in the North East and the National Theatre in London. Only at Woodhorn can you see the actual paintings though!

Why not take a look at the Ashington Group's own website: www.ashingtongroup.co.uk

Shell Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2007

The exhibition is a celebration of the world's best wildlife photography. More than 32,000 images from amateur and professional photographers in 78 countries were submitted making it the most successful, competitive event in the competition's 43-year history. The judging panel, which included some of the world's best nature photographers and most respected wildlife experts, spent three months deliberating over the record number of entries. Over 100 of these stunning images, including those of the overall adult and junior winners are on display in the Workshop Galleries.

Shell Wildlife Photographer of the Year is owned by the Natural History Museum and BBC Wildlife Magazine, and is sponsored by Shell.

Admission to the Shell Wildlife Photography exhibition:

Children £1
Concessions £2.00
Adults £2.50
Family (2+2) £6.00

Group rates available for advance bookings.

The exhibition runs from 7 June until 7 September 2008.

Bouquet of butterflies © Philippe Toussaint / Shell Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2007. Zebra crossing © Anup Shah / Shell Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2007. Macaque moment © Ian Nelson / Shell Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2007.

National History Museum > www.nhm.ac.uk/wildphoto
Shell > www.shell.com

One Day for Newbiggin

On 19th August 2007 an entire community was invited to take part in a unique 24 hour photography project. Anyone who was in Newbiggin by the Sea on that day was encouraged to take photos of whatever they were doing, wherever they were. Hundreds did, and thousands of photographs were produced.

2007 was a pivotal year in the life of Newbiggin by the Sea with regeneration projects and a beach replenishment scheme inspiring interest and pride.

The event was organised by the Newbiggin Photography Group, part of the Newbiggin Arts Forum.

The exhibition runs from 14 June until 13 July 2008.
FREE Exhibition.

Oliver Kilbourn - My Life as a Pitman

This unique collection of paintings by Ashington Group Artist, Oliver Kilbourn, has been described as a "visual memoir" of his working life experiences.

A comprehensive record of Oliver's life underground painted in the 1970s following retirement, it records the many tasks from his early days in 1917 as a "pom-pom boy" on the compressed air coal-cutting machines to his time as a salvage drawer. Oliver was proud of his manual occupation and the skill and strength it required.

The paintings have only recently been reglazed and reframed and this is the first time in several years that the collection has been on public display.

The exhibition runs from 14 June until 14 September 2008.
FREE Exhibition.

OLD School NEW School

An inspiring exhibition presented by the School of Art, Design & Media at Northumberland College. It highlights the vibrancy and diversity of emerging young artists from our region. The work draws upon many artistic traditions but sees them presented in a fresh contemporary context.

The exhibition runs from 19 July until 14 September 2008.
FREE Exhibition.

Watch out for our special activities.
Check the What's On page for details.