Northumberland Holiday Guide 2009
only serves a function as part of a new offshore breakwater, For a really unique experience, take part in The Art Tour (every
but also brings a focal point to the coastal area. At 12.5m Sunday each June and July, plus several weekends before
high and 20m wide, the dramatic image recalls the Antoine Christmas). Across the county, artists open up their homes,
de Saint-Exupéry quote “Love does not consist of gazing galleries and studios to the public, providing a rare insight
at each other, but in looking outward together in the same into the life of the artist, as well as the opportunity to view and
direction”, giving onlookers pause for thought and imparting buy art. If you’ve ever wanted to understand the inspiration
a sense of aspiration. (not to mention the hard work) behind an artwork, this is your
chance to chat to the artist, rifle through their sketchbooks, and
This belief in the importance of art travels from a busy coastal generally absorb a sense of where they are coming from. While,
town to the county’s innermost land. Kielder Water & Forest if you believe, as many do, that the only way to get to know
Park, England’s largest forest and, according to the Campaign
a place is through its people, then this intimate experience
to Protect Rural England, ‘the country’s most tranquil spot’, is
provides a special insight into Northumberland life for visitors
also home to some truly inspiring public art and architecture.
and locals alike.
Under the guidance of curator Peter Sharpe, leading artists
have been invited to Kielder and asked to respond to it through Taking part in the Art Tour, you’ll find artists such as Mary
public artworks, which now sit amongst the vast landscape. Ann Rogers, a watercolour artist recently voted the ‘top living
With its strange combination of a living breathing forest that has female artist in print’ by members of the Fine Art Trade Guild.
been almost entirely manmade (Kielder Water is also Northern Taking inspiration from the wildlife and farm animals of rural
Europe’s largest man-made lake), the art here, such as Northumberland, her pictures are instantly recognisable and
Skyspace by James Turrell, plays on the ambiguity of civilised for many she is the archetypal Northumbrian artist. Then again,
wilderness. You can take your own guided tour of the art and you will also find Nick Holmes, a postmodern artist whose
architecture on display by picking up a map at Tower Knowe brightly coloured mixed media works reference film, literature,
Visitor Centre. music and popular culture. Perhaps his work is not typical of
the county at all, but his success within the region – he has
For every large-scale public sculpture, there are of course exhibited everywhere from the Gymnasium Gallery in Berwick-
hundreds of artists concentrating on their own smaller works
upon-Tweed to Queen’s Hall Arts Centre in Hexham, as well
and individual businesses. Fortunately, Northumberland as in many of Newcastle’s galleries – is a reminder of the rich
offers a host of independent galleries showcasing the works variety Northumberland has to offer.
of artists from the region and beyond. Whether you are
looking to buy art or merely browsing, a warm welcome
is guaranteed. Galleries such as Pebbles Gallery and Art
Café in Allendale and Colin Moss Studio in Hexham are
BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art 0191 478 1810
important bases of the community, providing lovely settings
www.balticmill.com
for a mid-morning coffee, as well as to view and buy art. From
The Laing Art Gallery 0191 232 7734
Gallery Upstairs in Blanchland in the south of the county, to
www.twmuseums.org.uk/laing
The Mick Oxley Gallery in Craster and The Frame-house
Blagdon Gallery 01670 789944
and Schoolroom Gallery in Alnmouth, Northumberland’s
www.blagdongallery.co.uk
independent galleries each offer something different.
Fifiefofum 01661 846778
www.fifiefofum.com
Belsay Hall 01661 881071
the Bakehouse Gallery
www.english-heritage.org.uk
Newbiggin-by-the-Sea
www.newbigginbay.co.uk
Kielder Water & Forest Park
www.visitkielder.com
Pebbles Gallery and Art Café 01434 683975
www.pebblesartcafe.com
Colin Moss Studio 01434 601274
Gallery Upstairs 01434 675192
www.gallery-upstairs.co.uk
The Mick Oxley Gallery 01665 571082
www.mickoxley.com
The Frame-house and Schoolroom Gallery
01665 830600
www.frame-house.co.uk
The Art Tour
www.networkartists.org.uk
Mary Ann Rogers 01434 270216
www.marogers.com
Nick Holmes 01665 714420
www.nickholmesart.co.uk
Gymnasium Gallery 01289 303243
Queen’s Hall Arts Centre 01434 652477
www.queenshall.co.uk
58
www.visitnorthumberland.com
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