The Biscuit Factory hosts four seasonal exhibitions a year, each featuring the work of over 200 artists, as well as showcasing collaborations with national agencies, creative inititatives and arts organisations.

The Autumn Exhibition

From 7 September
The Biscuit Factory

Free admission

Open daily

Our Autumn Exhibition features a headline collection of original paintings and prints from Catherine Rayner, plus new artwork from over 250 artists, designers and makers.

Highlights this autumn include 2017 Open Contemporary Young Artist Award winner Megan Rea unveils a collection of architectural inspired paintings and models; we launch STRUCTURE, a jewellery show exploring shape & form; and we present new gifts and homewares in our contemporary craft space.

Creative Workshops

August 2018 - February 2019
The Biscuit Factory

Various dates
Tickets available now

Get creative this Autumn and Winter with our exciting new programme of hands on workshops, all delivered by talented local makers and artists. Whether you are interested in upcycling furniture, learning how to do modern calligraphy or want to get creative in the festive season, our programme has something for everyone.

This autumn, we're taking part in The Big Draw Festival 2018, with a range of creative workshops dedicated to the art of drawing.

View our listings

Dan Cimmermann - George Stephenson Mural

The Biscuit Room, Boyd Street, NE2 1AP

Free

Accessible at all times

Summer headline artist Dan Cimmermann has painted a large scale mural of the northern inventor George Stephenson, part of his solo show of work throughout the summer 2018 at The Biscuit Factory and The Great Exhibition of the North.

The mural will be on permanent public display on Boyd Street, Ouseburn (behind The Biscuit Factory, outside The Biscuit Room events suite and opposite Ernest cafe/bar).

This commission is part of the Inspired By: The Great Exhibition of the North programme. Find out more here.

An Afternoon with Catherine Rayner

Thursday 27 September
Seven Stories Bookshop

5 - 6 pm

Free drop-in event

Perfect for young fans of Catherine's books! Join us for book reading in the Seven Stories bookshop with illustrator Catherine Rayner, followed by some live drawing.

Seven Stories are thrilled to welcome Catherine Rayner in conjunction with her largest show to date at The Biscuit Factory. Catherine has had a long history with Seven Stories and was one of just four illustrators commissioned to mark the fifth birthday of Seven Stories in August 2010.

After the event Catherine will be going straight to The Biscuit Factory to do an evening talk 6-8pm about her career and working practices, for a more grown up audience.

Seven Stories is 5 minutes walk from The Biscuit Factory at 30 Lime St, Ouseburn Valley, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 2PQ. Find out more here.

An Evening with Catherine Rayner

Thursday 27 September
The Biscuit Factory

6-8pm

Tickets available

In celebration of her largest exhibition of work to date, join multiple award winning author and illustrator Catherine Rayner in the gallery as she chats about her career and opens up her sketchbooks to share insights into her working practices and the inspiration behind her work.

There'll be opportunities to chat one on one with Catherine, ask questions, to view and buy from the exhibition and purchase a signed copy of one of her books.

All ticket holders will receive a drink and canapes on arrival.

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Catherine Rayner Storytime

Saturday 13 October
The Biscuit Factory

2.30 - 3.15pm

£3 per person

Join us for a special storytime to celebrate Catherine Rayner's new headline collection. Join the Seven Stories Story Catchers as they share magical stories from Catherine's award winning books.

Catherine has long held a relationship with Seven Stories and was one of just four illustrators commissioned to mark the fifth birthday of Seven Stories in August 2010.

Session lasts 45 mins and is suitable for all the family. Tickets cost £3 per person (including children and adults).

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In Conversation with Keith Salmon

Sunday 14 October
The Biscuit Factory

2 - 3pm

£5 per person

Keith Salmon has always been passionate about landscape. As an artist, he has used his regular outings into the hills as a source for his paintings and drawings. In this short talk, Keith will outline the development of his work and explain how and why he has started to use sound as well as paint.

For the last 3 years he has been working in collaboration with Ayrshire sound engineers Graham Byron and Drew Kirkland and they will be exhibiting their new audio painting at the talk. The work, called the Kylesku Project, combines a 120 cm x 120 cm oil painting with a 30 minute long, 5.1 surround sound track created from recordings made in the Sutherland landscape, as well as in Keith’s studio in Ayrshire.

There will be opportunities to chat one to one with Keith and all ticket holders will receive a drink on arrival.

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Storytelling & Drawing Half Term Workshop

Tuesday 30 October
The Biscuit Factory

Free admission

1 - 3pm Drop-in

Join Swagbag Stories, for an afternoon of creative story-telling at the Biscuit Factory. Hear stories written by our headline artist, illustrator and author Catherine Rayner, as well as the groups own original stories, all told with imagination and creative flair.

Illustrators will also be offering some hands on drawing activities, inspired by the Catherine’s stories. Whether you are young in age or young at heart, come along and enjoy a story!

The Great North Doodle

Friday 2 November
The Biscuit Factory

Free admission

10am - 12pm Free drop-in

Join us at The Biscuit Factory for The Great North Doodle! Contribute to our huge group doodle inspired by the creatures and critters in our headline exhibition by children's author and illustrator Catherine Rayner.

As part of the international drawing festival The Big Draw 2018, this free drop-in activity is the perfect way to get creative with the kids this half term. Let's get doodling!