Exhibitions

October - Keith Bell

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Keith Bell has lived in Durham since graduating from the University. As an undergraduate he designed posters for social events at Dunelm and various colleges. Over the years he has had solo exhibitions within the region and exhibited his paintings in London. More recently one of his works was shortlisted for the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition. He also has appeared as a wildcard on SkyTVs Landscape Artist of the Year.

His works are varied but his main passion is landscapes based on the countryside of the North but also further afield.

December - Shadforth Art Group

Shadforth Art Group meets in Shadforth, a small village near Durham. Formed in 2014, we are an independent community group with artists of all ages and experience. Our artists work on individual and group projects in a wide variety of media, including Watercolours, Acrylics, Gouache, Oils, Pastels, Pen and Ink, Printing, Felting and Mixed Media. We enjoy sharing our art at Shadforth Village Hall and now for the second time at Durham Botanic Gardens! This December and January we will be displaying pictures from our 12 Days of Christmas lockdown project (also viewable on our YouTube site at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Bx7-O8kjW8) and our 2023 calendar, as well as other works of art to brighten up the winter. Selected pictures will be for sale. We hope you enjoy our exhibition.

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January - Shadforth Art Group

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February - Tamsin Imber

Tamsin lives in Durham and enjoys escaping to the countryside, particularly to the Lake District where she runs, walks and wild swims. She draws pencil drawings of fells, streams, rural buildings and landscapes that are close to her heart.

March - Durham Art Group - Deryck Simpson

Local art group who meet once a month at Merryoaks Community Centre with wide ranging skills and media.

June - Deryck Simpson

Local Amatuer Artist painting landscapes, seascapes, still life and portraiture.

July - Janice Hutchinson

Janice Hutchinson, a local artist based in County Durham, resides with her husband Ian, who recently retired from Durham University. She draws inspiration from the beautiful landscapes, meadows, pastures and coastline of the area.

All of Janice’s work reflects her passion for colour.

Using the technique of wet felting, Janice combines Merino wool, silk fibres, and a blend of soap and water to create distinctive fabrics. She further enhances these creations with hand embroidery, resulting in original pieces of art.

Currently, Janice is exploring the art of printing leaves and flowers onto fabric, with hopes of incorporating this new technique into her future work.

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September - Jo Garlick Art

Jo is based in North Yorkshire and works predominantly in soft pastel. She utilises the versatility and immediacy of the medium, using it to create paintings of British wildlife and a broad spectrum of landscapes, inspired by the character and heritage of the area she lives.

Pastel offers a flexibility, allowing experimentation with technique and ideas to portray texture, movement and light. Jo loves the interplay of light and shade and the way this is affected by plant life and landscape which can offer exciting subject matter. Her work varies from lifelike, painterly studies to a more expressive interpretation of the scenes she has witnessed to create mood and atmosphere. Jo spends a great deal of time outside, drawing, sketching and observing nature.

Most of her work is completed in the studio but she finds taking the time to work en plein air better helps her capture the atmosphere and character of the flora and fauna.

Jo studied at Newcastle University and received an Honours Degree in Fine Art in 2007. Since obtaining her degree, she has had work accepted by various galleries in Yorkshire and the North East.

October - Alex Ellwood

Durham Photographic Society has been running more or less continuously since 1892. We are a community of photography enthusiasts who share a passion for capturing the world around us in all its shapes and form.

They meet Thursdays most weeks at St Oswald’s Church Institute, Church Street, Durham. DH1 3DQ at 7-30pm. You can guarantee a warm welcome and you can attend for up two meetings before having to commit to membership which is currently £55 per year & Students/Juniors £27-50 per year.

November - Houghton Art Club

Houghton art club has members aged 30 to 88. We meet every Thursday 7-9pm. Members paint and draw in all different mediums, Oils, Acrylic, Watercolour, pastels, pencils and digital. Also, all different subjects. We have no tuition as such (although we do have workshops monthly on a Saturday) but support and advise each other.

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Are you interested in displaying your work at the Botanic Garden?

Durham University Botanic Garden has a rich connection with artists and their work, with many sculptures hidden around the garden. To this end we utilise the coffee shop in our Visitor Centre to exhibit art, paintings and photographs by local artists.

We frequently host exhibitions of different artists’ work throughout the year. So, after a walk around the garden, why not ponder the paintings with a hot drink or over an afternoon snack? Many of the artists offer their work for sale, if a piece should catch your eye.

If you are interested in exhibiting work of your own, you can express your interest by completing the following form.

For any other queries, please contact the Retail Office by calling +44(0) 7503700019 or emailing shop@durham.ac.uk