You can find out all about the Friends of the Hatton and details of all our activities including news, events and exhibitions as well as information about the benefits of becoming a member. Why not join us today?
Friends’ Bulletin Summer 2026
Dear Friends, welcome to our summer bulletin 2026. The gov.uk website notes that in 2023, 33% of people went to a museum or gallery of which 17% visited 3 to 4 times a year. However one 2025 report states that about half of adults have never visited an art gallery, suggesting this activity is seen … Continue reading Friends’ Bulletin Summer 2026
Friends’ news – summer 2026
Annual General Meeting 2026 The Friends’ Annual General Meeting will take place on 8 August, 10-30 in the Learning Room. The agenda will be posted here later in July. Summer exhibition The Summer Exhibition will take place in the Ex Libris Gallery from Monday 6 - Saturday 18 July. Information about submitting works for exhibition … Continue reading Friends’ news – summer 2026
News from Fine Art at Northumbria University
Fine Art at Northumbria continues to inspire new generations of students, both undergraduate, postgraduate and PHD students. Dr Bob Wilson recently graduated with PHD on the archive and sound of Cumbrian landscapes, Dr Craig Johnson on the music and sound of the 'No-Audience' underground and Dr Abigail Webster on arts, administration and policy in Scotland. … Continue reading News from Fine Art at Northumbria University
Spotlight on: Morpeth Chantry Bagpipe Museum
Bridge Street, Morpeth, NE61 1PD. Open Monday - Saturday, 09:30-17:00 Morpeth Chantry houses the smallest of Northumberland’s museum in the NE Museum portfolio. This medieval building is a rare example of a bridge chapel, built in 1300 with an endowment by Richard of Morpeth to commemorate himself, his parents and benefactors, and the Lord of … Continue reading Spotlight on: Morpeth Chantry Bagpipe Museum
Rebel Women of Sunderland
This exhibition is currently showing at Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens until 1 August 2026. It started as a question in 2019 from an enquiring child about where were all the women and girls in the history and literature relating to this North East City. It initiated research at a community level with small scale … Continue reading Rebel Women of Sunderland
Featured Artist – Joanne Wishart
Painting Northumberland this spring - and what’s ahead for summer Local artist Joanne Wishart is based in Cullercoats. Here, she shares an insight into her recent work and what’s inspiring her as we move into the summer months. Earlier this year, I turned my attention to painting daffodils and exploring how they sit within the … Continue reading Featured Artist – Joanne Wishart
The National Gallery Masterpiece Tour’s 2nd Year
Following on from the display of Monet’s artwork, The Petit Bras of the Seine at Argenteuil (1872), The National Gallery announced recently that the second painting which will be the focus of the National Gallery Masterpiece Tour 2025-27 is The Marquise de Seignelay (1691) by Pierre Mignard. It will travel to the four partner institutions … Continue reading The National Gallery Masterpiece Tour’s 2nd Year
“Art at The Hall” – Blanchland
“Art at The Hall” - Blanchland is located on the border of Northumberland and County Durham and is a beautiful rural village with a fabulous history, wonderful walks, chocolate box cottages and also a reputation for carefully curated artisan markets. Carolyn and David Asquith moved to the village in 2017 and have established themselves as … Continue reading “Art at The Hall” – Blanchland
Richard Hatton’s “Store of Treasures”
In the centenary year of Richard George Hatton’s death in February 1926 and the naming of the Hatton Gallery in his honour, this article follows on from the one in the Spring Bulletin that focused on Hatton’s life and achievements, to look at aspects of the art collection that also bears his name. In 1912, … Continue reading Richard Hatton’s “Store of Treasures”
An 18th Century Artist’s View of Hexham Old Gaol
The medieval Gaol of Hexham has been stood near the centre of the town for almost 700 years. While written records of the building go back to its foundation in 1330, unfortunately no images were made of it for most of the intervening centuries. It is not until the 18th century that the first known … Continue reading An 18th Century Artist’s View of Hexham Old Gaol
Friends of the Hatton 