Our Top 5 Exhibitions in the North West for August Bank Holiday Weekend… and Beyond!

Here’s our pick of top 5 exhibitions in the north west to visit over the Bank Holiday weekend, and beyond!  From Stockport to the South Lakes, fine art to fun and funky contemporary art, there’s something to inspire and entertain everyone. Visiting art galleries can be memorable and unique experiences, great for your wellbeing and a conversation starter, so get planning today! Top Tip: Northern Rail Flash Sale – tickets from 10p to Leeds, Sheffield, York and more.

1. Sol Calero: El Autobus, Tate Liverpool

Calero’s work is brightly coloured, large-scale and often has a makeshift quality. She draws on visual clichés related to the popular image of her birthplace in Latin America. Ends November 10th.

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2. Ruskin Turner, Abbot Hall Art Gallery, Kendal, Cumbria

This summer the gallery marks the 200-year-anniversary of the great Victorian art critic and watercolourist, John Ruskin’s birth, with an exhibition dedicated to the turbulent skies above, ‘Ruskin Turner‘. Ends October 5th.

3. Damien Hirst, Yorkshire Sculpture Park, plus Leeds City Centre and Art Gallery

The Turner Prize-winning artist, who grew up in Leeds, shows four sculptures in this beautiful YSP, including the striking 10ft tall Virgin Mother. Outdoors in Leeds city centre is Anatomy of an Angel and Black Sheep with Golden Horns is at Leeds Art Gallery. Ends September 29th.


4. Rory Lewis’ Northerners, Wex Manchester

Photographer Rory Lewis has spent over a decade capturing many of the world’s most recognised faces. Northerners features a collection of images from a cross section of sports personalities, actors, politicians and more, all originating from the North, including Sir Ian McKellen, Sir Patrick Stewart, Karl Pilkington and Craig Charles. Ends October 1st.

5. Open Exhibition, Stockport War Memorial Art Gallery

Support your local art gallery! The varied Stockport Open Exhibition features the work of  adults and children, submitted by professional and hobby artists alike. Throughout the exhibition visitors to the gallery are invited to vote for their favourite pieces of artwork in the Peoples’ Choice Awards the results of which drawn on 31st August. Lots of our great volunteers and some Arc friends such as Lucy Burgess have artwork in the exhibition. Ends September 7th. Image: Foreground shows Yumi Makes 3D piece.

We hope you enjoy visiting our top 5 exhibitions in the north west – let us know which ones you liked best on our Facebook Page!

Jo Flint,
Marketing volunteer, Arc