Previous Exhibitions
The exhibitions detailed below have all taken place at the Shire Hall Gallery since January 2008.
Information about exhibitions held during previous years can be seen by clicking on the links below: ||
January 2008 - December 2008||||
January 2007 - December 2007||||
January 2006 - December 2006||||
July 2005 - December 2005||||
For further information about the Shire Hall Gallery exhibition programme contact
Kim Gould on 01785 278345, or by email at
kim.gould@staffordshire.gov.uk||||
Drawing with Thread
5 March - 1 May 2011
This exhibition focuses on the work of ten contemporary textile artists who explore the use of thread as a drawing tool in their work.
Debbie Smyth
A newly commissioned installation by Debbie Smyth will be created directly onto the gallery walls by using thread and pins. Debbie's work has recently received widespread acclaim for it's innovative technique and distinctive style.
Cos Ahmet
Georgie Meadows
The show will also include a selection of work by Alison Mercer, Caroline Kirton, Cos Ahmet, Cas Holmes, Gizella K Warburton, Morwenna Catt, Georgie Meadows, Rosie James and Trevor Smith.
Caroline Kirton
The exhibition will bring together both established and emerging textile artists whose work is exciting, innovative and thought provoking.
Not to be missed!
Out of this World
5 March - 1 May 2011
Gillian Lee Smith
This exhibition features work by some of the UK's finest contemporary designer/makers who work with textiles and mixed media to create somt sculptures, dolls and other quirky creatures. Some beastly, some beautiful, the characters in this exhibition are full of eccentric personality and expression and tell their own stories through the hands of their creators. Inspired by folklore, everyday observations, fantasy and the idea of other worlds these beings are brought to life in this colourful and fun exhibition.
Paola McClure
Including work by Gillian Lee Smith and Paola McClure.
Kaleidoscope
15 January - 27 February 2011
This exhibition celebrates the diverse range of artwork created by students in Staffordshire Local Authority Schools.
On show will be a selection of work from students who have chosen to study Art from the age of fourteen to sixteen and will include varied responses to a wide range of themes and the exploration of media in two and three dimentional form.
The exhibition is a showcase for the creative talents of Staffordshire schools and their students.
Rob Ryan
Your job is to take this world apart and put it back together again... but even better!!!
New work including papercuts, prints and ceramics.
Saturday 13 November 2010 - Sunday 9 January 2011
'Handmade' - a contemporary art & craft fair
Friday 5 and Saturday 6 November 2010
|||| Handmade flyer|||| (PDF, 2.91MB)
Rainbow Delights by Ema Kelly
From Jewellery to photography, ceramics and glass, this weekend we're celebrating all things handmade! Don't miss your chance to buy original, handcrafted items directly from artists and designer/makers. It's the perfect opportunity to pick up a gorgeous gift - or treat yourself!
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 9.30am - 5pm
Click the here|||| to see work by all the designer/makers.
Art with a Pulse ll
Saturday 18 September - 31 October
Tattoos have been in existence for thousands of years and feature in the history of most cultures throughout the world. They have, over the centuries, been popular, waned in their appeal, been banned and have become fashionable once again.
The art of tattooing is constantly evolving and merging with the 'fine art world' of galleries and collectors. Alongside 'off skin' artworks created by tattooists, Art with a Pulse ll will also showcase work by artists inspired by the tattoo and its culture.
Work will include a broad range of media and technique including stained glass, mosaic, illustration, printmaking, photography and textiles. The show will also look at the history of tattooing as well as some present day 'tattooed ladies' such as leading burlesque performers and side show acts.
A Touring Exhibition from 20-21 Visual Arts Centre, Scunthorpe.
Pins and Needles
Saturday 18 September - 31 October
Jewellery is considered to be one of the oldest and most socially acceptable forms of body adornment and can be functional or purely decorative. Using a wide range of materials and tattoo styles this exhibition celebrates the growing popularity of the use of tattoo imagery in the production of contemporary jewellery and accessories.
Includes jewellery by design duo Lost At Sea and new ranges produced specifically for this exhibition by Abby Filer and Frances Stunt.
A Sense of Place
Saturday 17 July - Sunday 12 September
This exhibition celebrates the diversity of Staffordshire and its environments. Six artists have been commissioned to produce new work in response to particular locations in the County.
From the Moorlands to Stafford, the heart of Cannock Chase to Burton upon Trent, these artists will be engaging and interacting with the people in these places and exploring their attachments to the area.
The exhibiting artists are Rachel Grant, David Paul Gleeson, Tracy Saroff, Peter Walker, David Harper and Rick Barks. Work on show will include textile postcards, photography, drawing and film and a sound installation.
Join us in the Market Square, Stafford on 24 July where we'll be celebrating all things Staffordshire as part of the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad Open Weekend! Get creative with artists and musicians, enjoy live music and dance - or find out more about the BBC's A History of the World|||| and join in with some of our historical activities.
|||| A Sense of Place Summer Flyer|||| (PDF, 3.62MB)
An exhibition of monoprints produced by service users from South Staffordshire and Shropshire NHS Foundation Trust, linked to Sense of Place are currently on display at Stafford Station.
Virgin Trains play host to this new alternative art exhibition which has been produced in partnership with Staffordshire Arts and Museum Service, funded through Staffordshire County Council's Arts Grants Scheme and South Staffordshire and Shropshire Foundation Trust.
The monoprints which capture personal journeys through Staffordshire are the result of a series of creative workshops with Stafford artist Naomi Greaves and service users from the St. David's Centre, Wombourne, the Nuffield Unit, Lichfield, the George Bryan Centre, Tamworth and the Brockington Unit, Stafford.
The exhibition can be seen in the Overbridge waiting room between platform 4 and 5 and platform 1 waiting now until 30 September.
Architecture
Saturday 17 July - Sunday 12 September
This exhibition features work produced by contemporary artists and craft makers who are influenced by various elements of architecture.
Photographers, ceramicists and jewellers included in this show have investigated buildings, patterns and architectural features, mainly focusing on constructions that form the changing landscape of our urban environment.
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Staffordshire Open Art Exhibition 2010
Saturday 15 May - Sunday 11 July
The Staffordshire Open Art Exhibition is the Gallery's annual showcase for artistic talent in the County. Each year prizes are kindly sponsored by local businesses. This year's sponsors are Stafford Railway Building Society, SCHOTT UK Ltd, Barnett Ratcliffe Partnership, Stafford Tourism Bureau, The Paper House, Stafford and The National Association of Decorative and Fine Art Societies (NADFAS).
Ian Naylor from Cheadle scooped the top prize for his charcoal and acrylic work entitled `Community Flo'. He received a cheque for £1250 and a stunning piece of contemporary glass made by artist Stuart Akroyd, kindly sponsored by Stafford Railway Building Society.
Runners up prizes were awarded to:
Sarah Lockitt from Weston under Lizard for her oil on canvas entitled `Self Portrait' - £250 prize sponsored by SCHOTT UK Ltd
Karen Sayle from Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent for her animation 'Kendo Nagasaki - Genesis in Portrait' - £150 prize sponsored by Barnett Ratcliffe Partnership
Edward Sellman from Stafford for his oil painting `Waiting Room' - £100 of Artist materials sponsored by The Paper House, Stafford
£50 Prizes sponsored by The National Association for Decorative and Fine Art Societies (NADFAS) were awarded to:
Dulcie Brewer, aged 8 from Penkridge (8 and under winner)
Elliot Jones aged 12 from Cannock (9 -12 winner)
Ruby Coates, aged 15 from Stafford (13-16 winner)
This year the Gallery received over 400 entries from 184 artists from all over the County. Exhibition selectors Elizabeth Hawley, Visual Arts Officer, Arts Council England, West Midlands and Lisa Henderson, Artist and Art Historian had the very difficult task of selecting the 111 pieces of work for display.
Lisa Henderson said: "We are particularly pleased that the first prize goes to an outstanding drawing as this is an art form so immediate and readily accessible but so often overlooked by artists".
Elizabeth Hawley added: "This year's submission did much to prove that creativity is alive and well in Staffordshire, and was almost enough in itself to affirm the county's title of 'Creative County' garnering as it did over 400 entries".
The exhibition features paintings, drawings, prints, photography, film & animation and sculpture. Most of the work is for sale and there is always something to suit all tastes and pockets.
During the eight week show visitors voted for their favourite piece. The Visitors Choice Prize winner this year was Katie Kesterton for her drawing entitled `Tripudio'.
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Making Sense
Saturday 13 March - Sunday 9 May 2010
Making Sense is a multisensory exhibition by artists who have created sensory, interactive and tactile works.
The show offers visitors a unique opportunity to explore the works on display through sight, touch and sound in order to experience art through a variety of senses rather than sight alone.
The exhibition illustrates a rich and diverse variety of work from sumptuous colours, intriguing textures and creative materials, to sound art and interactive sculpture, and is designed to be accessible to all.
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Table Top Treats
Saturday 13 March - Sunday 9 May 2010
Illustrating all things culinary this exhibition is a feast for the eyes!
Representations of food sit alongside gorgeous handmade silver condiment sets, special tableware and everyday items such as handmade mugs and plates.
Come along and see if we have something tasty to tempt you!
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Visual Illusions
Saturday 9 January - Sunday 7 March 2010
This exhibition explores the concept of impossible art and visual trickery. You will be amazed to find that your eyes really can deceive your brain - or is it the other way round?
Come and find out how artists use light, colour and shape and learn about the science of light.
On show will be paintings by Patrick Hughes and Polly Meredew, textiles by Helen Owen and photographs by Victoria Emes.
Have fun experiencing the world of optical illusions and give your eyes the time of their lives!
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Monochrome
Saturday 9 January - Sunday 7 March 2010
This exhibition showcases work by contemporary designer/makers who are influenced by visual illusions or who primarily work within a black and white palette. The use of black and white encourages the viewer to explore the shapes, patterns and the resulting optical effects within the work.
Items on show range from sculptural three dimensional textiles to large scale ceramic vessels inspired by 1960s op artists.
Don't forget that Friends of the Gallery receive 10% discount on items in the exhibition.
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