An Art Lover’s Guide to Newcastle: Where to See & Shop

Laing Art Gallery, New Bridge Street

As featured in our recent Behind The Door article, the Laing is a vital institution right at the heart of the city’s artistic identity. It’s probably the region’s most high-profile gallery and has a strong focus on local artists, particularly John Martin. There’s an excellent permanent collection but the gallery also hosts a regular series of touring and temporary exhibitions too. Look out for the show next year built around Turner’s The Fighting Temeraire.

Hatton Gallery, King’s Road

The Hatton Gallery was founded in 1925 and named for Professor Hatton, who became head of the Fine Art Department at Newcastle University. The gallery is part of the university and exhibits work from the art students annually. There’s also a large permanent collection spanning seven centuries (from Francis Bacon to Paula Rego, Linder Sterling to Thomas Bewick) and perhaps most famously the Hatton is home to Merz Barn Wall, part of Kurt Schwitters’ remarkable Elterwater Merz Barn in the Lake District. There is a vibrant programme of exhibitions, talks and events that keeps the Hatton at the forefront of the Newcastle art scene too.

Alexander Millar Fine Art, Grey Street

One of two dedicated outlets for the work of Newcastle-based artist Alexander Millar (the other is in Glasgow), this Grey Street gallery is a great place to take in (and even take home) some art from the beloved contemporary artist, known for his charming caricatures of ‘gadgies’ and his evocative landscapes and cityscapes.

Castle Fine Art, Grey Street

Right next door to Alexander Millar Fine Art, Castle Fine Art is the Newcastle outlet of a nationwide chain of high street art galleries – thirty-something branches so far – offering a wide range of contemporary art from famous names (including Johnny Depp, Pele and Bob Dylan!). The focus is on quirky, accessible work, often from unlikely sources, and the gallery places an emphasis on getting art on the walls of ordinary homes.

Gallagher & Turner, St Mary’s Place

Paul Gallagher and Clare Turner opened this independent gallery and picture framers back in 1990, originally in the St Thomas Street workshops, and thirty years on it’s a thriving concern. It hosts regular exhibitions from artists acclaimed and unknown, international and local (over the years, artists such as David Hockney, Francis Bacon and Antony Gormley have all exhibited there). Their professional framing service has an excellent reputation too, if you have something rolled up in a tube somewhere.

Hancock Gallery, Jesmond Road West

Twelve years since its foundation, the Hancock Gallery has gathered together a fine portfolio of artists – acclaimed contemporary names like Mark Demsteader, Billy Childish, Ron Hicks and The Connor Brothers, and also such masters as L.S Lowry, and Pablo Picasso. The Hancock team are on hand to offer advice in collecting and investing in art, and the gallery often hosts some remarkable exhibitions (right now, Fault Lines by printmaker / photographer Kristina Chan).

North East Art Collective, Eldon Garden

This Eldon Square gallery and shop represents a long lists of artists from the region, many of whom are upcoming and potentially the collectable names of the near future. There’s more than 150 artists displayed across the eleven rooms of the gallery, including works in glass, wood and ceramics alongside watercolours and oils. The stock is constantly changing so this is a venue which pays repeated visits.

Newcastle Arts Centre, Westgate Road

Whether you’re browsing the gallery, shopping for supplies or want to inspire your creativity with a class or workshop, Newcastle Arts Centre has it all. Established back in 1981, this fantastic venue now plays host to a wide range of exhibitions, shows and musicians in its Jazz café – providing plenty to explore.  

Newcastle Contemporary Art, High Bridge

Newcastle Contemporary Art is in a sense the public-facing element of the hub of artist and creative studios in the High Bridge Works building. Established in 2021, the fourth-floor space curates and promotes exhibitions and events, often including a dazzling array of modern British art in a defiantly inclusive and welcoming space. X – Contemporary British Painting, curated this summer by local artist Narbi Price, is a fine example of the kind of work NAC promotes.

Clarendon Fine Art, Monument Mall

Formerly known as Whitewall Galleries and based at Fenwick, the recently rebranded Clarendon Fine Art moved into a brand-new space in Monument Mall on Blackett Street in early autumn of 2023.Home to an ever-changing collection of innovative artwork, the gallery aims to make art accessible to all and boasts an impressive portfolio of rare and signed works by modern masters including Picasso, Lowry and Warhol.

Gallery North, Northumbria University

Gallery North is the exhibiting wing of Northumbria University’s Department of Arts, and offers one of the best places to see the work being created by its vibrant collection of upcoming artists. As well as shows displaying the department’s work, there are busy programmes of exhibitions, workshops, residencies and more aimed at enhancing the academic experience for the students and engaging with the community.

The Town Gallery, Percy Street

An offshoot of York’s Coppergate Gallery, The Town Gallery is a gallery and store for a wide range of prints and originals of all levels, aimed at making art affordable and accessible. The collection draws from all sorts of regional, national and international artists working in all sorts of media, and there’s an in-house framing service too.

Newcastle really does have a fine collection of galleries and exhibition spaces on offer, and you could spend hours taking it all in. Whether you want to stand in awe of an original John Martin or pick up a Banksy print for your home, this selection of galleries should have something to suit.