Laing Art Gallery

The Laing is home to an impressive collection of art and sculpture and its exhibition programme is renowned for bringing the biggest names in historic, modern and contemporary art to the North East.

The Gallery has a packed programme of free events which include gallery talks, family activities and artists’ events.

The impressive permanent collection can be enjoyed throughout the season with dynamic landscapes by John Martin and sculpture by Henry Moore. There are events throughout the year including talks from leading contemporary artists and fun activities for families. Many of these events, like the gallery, are free of charge.

The works on show change regularly to show the impressive range of art in the collection so please contact the gallery if you wish to see a particular piece of work.

Northern Spirit, a major new permanent exhibition celebrating the achievements of artists, manufacturers and makers from the North East of England opened at the Laing Art Gallery in October 2010, featuring internationally acclaimed art including work by 19th century painter John Martin, engraver and naturalist Thomas Bewick and the Beilby family of glass enamellers.

The display also showcases local people’s photographs, films and stories. The Gallery has worked in partnership with the International Centre for Culture and Heritage Studies at Newcastle University to explore the relationships between art, identity and place. Information on the artworks and local stories are presented on touch-screen computers and an interactive map of photos and information provides an ever-changing picture of art and contemporary culture in the North East.

The Gallery also has a shop and cafe.