After almost a full year of closure, we're pleased to finally extend welcomes to new and returning artists alike, as well as some exciting group shows.

To find out more about upcoming exhibitions or to register your interest in a preview for any of the shows below, our gallery team will be happy to help.

Image: Garden Border by Fletcher Prentice

Wednesday 14 April

Available online from Thursday 1 April

Fletcher's work is a celebration of the natural world, but also a celebration of paint itself. Nature's exuberant characters and colours as seen in exotic bird-life inspire him, while more recently he has been drawn to the more domestic beauty of the birds and plants in his own rural garden.

Paint is fascinating through its textures, its colours, its freedom and looseness. His work explores the 'object' of the paint as much as it explores the 'subject' of nature.

4 June - 29 August

Available online from Saturday 1 May

Established in 2010, New Light celebrates and promotes Northern art, supporting both well-known and emerging artists by offering some of the region's best awards and opportunities with the biennial New Light Prize Exhibition, which is fast becoming one of the UK's largest and most talked about open exhibitions.

Originally due to exhibit in 2020, this exciting collection of around 150 works will grace the walls of the gallery from early June, before moving on again to Tullie House, Carlisle and ending the year in Bankside, London.

Image: Seventh Wave by Neil Bousfield

Image: Dusk Alnmouth by Janine Burrows

Friday 3 September

We're delighted to welcome Janine Burrows back to The Biscuit Factory this coming Autumn with a new collection, after her Spring 2020 sell-out.

Painting is where Janine's heart is, with a style that takes bold colours and expressive mark making to represent the constant inspiration from the Great British rural coastline. Using mixed media, she creates textural pieces. Gouache, acrylic, pencil, oil pastel, even household paint, all have their uses in exploration. Her work deals with memories and moments within a certain setting, taking photographs and sketches back to her studio for the finished piece.

Spring season online now

Throughout the year we'll be hosting a seasonal rotation of contemporary glass artists, in partnership with the esteemed Contemporary Glass Society. Featured artists will be welcomed each season as we showcase a breadth of work that demonstrates the talent, artistry and skill in all aspects of contemporary glass art.

Image: Rockpool II by Helen Grierson