Tourism and travel

Some of the UK’s newest and most exciting contemporary textiles, glass and ceramics are brought together in Craft Now, a new exhibition opening on 31 May at the Shipley Art Gallery in Gateshead.

Makers included are Michael Brennand Wood, internationally regarded as one of the most innovative and inspiring artists working in textiles; Felicity Aylieff, whose ceramic work is informed by an artist’s residency in Jingdezhen, China, the worldwide centre for porcelain production; and influential quilt artist Pauline Burbridge.

Displayed together for the first time, this exhibition presents works purchased for the gallery using funding from the Northern Rock Foundation.

Julie Milne, Chief Curator of the Shipley Art Gallery, says:

“The Shipley Art Gallery has one of the most extensive and important collections of contemporary craft outside London and this new exhibition will bring some of our most interesting recent acquisitions together.

“The pieces on show will give an idea of the breadth and quality of work being made right here in the UK today including jewellery, glasswork and textiles.”

Jeweller Nora Fok works entirely in non-precious materials and her Million Dollar Collar is created entirely from the seed heads of artichokes. The accompanying Artichoke Parachute magnifies and recreates the seed heads using nylon.

Artist Paul Scott has been instrumental in demonstrating the creative potential of ceramic and print, a combination which has been used in industry for hundreds of years. His Gateshead in a Box was commissioned for the Shipley Art Gallery in 2010, consisting of individually printed tiles representing Gateshead’s past, present and future, many of which are based on the artist’s work with school pupils and members of the Gateshead community.

Also on show will be Family Feast by Barnaby Barford who works primarily with found ceramics, manipulating both mass-manufactured and antique figurines to create acerbic narratives about contemporary society.

Penny Vowles, Programme Manager at Northern Rock Foundation, said:

“The Foundation made a significant grant in 2005 to the Shipley Art Gallery to enhance its Craft Collection as part of our Culture and Heritage programme. We are delighted that we will be able to celebrate the result of the grant during this exhibition and that so many visitors will have the opportunity to enjoy the Northern Rock Foundation Craft Collection. “

Craft Now is on show from 31 May until 20 December 2014. Free entry.

Craft Now is supported by the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation.

Award winning crime writer Val McDermid discusses her version of Northanger Abbey with fellow novelist Fiona Shaw in a special trail blazing event for Hexham Book Festival.

France’s Compagnie Käfig return to the UK with Boxe Boxe, a breath-taking show which fuses the noble art of Boxing with dance. With choreography by Artistic Director Mourad Merzouki, the brutality and elegance of both these contrasting worlds collide in a spine-tingling show which packs a knock-out punch.

Eight exceptional dancers blend martial arts, street and contemporary dance to create a spirited and stunning fusion of hip-hop and fisticuffs which has dazzled audiences the world over. Boxe Boxe draws on the rich pageantry and theatricality of boxing where bright red gloves effortlessly morph into puppets and punch balls explode like featherweight balloons.

A stunning, joyful and inventive show, Boxe Boxe is powerful and original dance which will leave you clambering for ringside seats.

Turning the traditional notion of art buying on its head, with every piece priced in this special one day exhibition at much reduced prices. Expect collectable artists work, special one-off pieces, end of line jewellery ranges and end of season collections as well as a silent auction, tombola, seconds sale and free prize draw. Get there early to take full advantage! Also, join our Biscuit Tin studio artists as they present ‘pop up’ studios here in the gallery and head downstairs to our Biscuit Factory studios to see artists at work and their special pieces chosen for the salon sale.

New Lights was formed in 2010 to support talented young artists in the north of England and to increase the accessibility to art via a range of “Art for All” courses. New Lights is supported by generous sponsors who award a variety of prizes as awarded by the exhibition’s panel of independent judges. This year the judges were Norman Ackroyd RA CBE, Jane Cellars - curator of the Mercer Gallery in Harrogate and curator and writer Chris Wadsworth.

The Biscuit Factory Foundation Charity awarded a prize of a future solo exhibition to help in the progression of a young artist’s commercial career. This prize was awarded to artist Matthew Child and Matthew’s solo exhibition can be seen at the gallery in our autumn exhibition starting on September 5th 2014.

The current New Lights Shortlist exhibition here at The Biscuit Factory shows a wide range of work in various styles and mediums by some young and very promising artists at the early stages of their careers.

Our spring exhibition is the first of the year and as a team we really look forward to launching this show with fresh collections and new artists. As an overview of what to expect, headlining this season is painter Basia Roszak with her whimsical portraits that capture small moments in time with a real dreamlike quality, Lizzie Rowe returns with a large selection of previously unseen still lives, Moy Mackay unveils a new selection of textile works in conjunction with the release of her latest book and we introduce ‘Visitors Choice Award’ a mixed group exhibition comprised of artists from the Scottish Spring Fling Open Studios.

Alongside these collections we are proud to introduce amongst others, new artists to the gallery including former student of Slade Art School Jill Barthorpe with her effervescent oil paintings, quirky and idiosyncratic prints by Kate Boxer and Member of Royal British Society of Sculptors, Jo Taylor with her intricate sculptural forms. As well as new potters Emily Myers, Menear Ceramics and Trevor Lillistone joining our ceramics area in the gallery.

Whitley Bay Theatre Company are thrilled to be returning to the PLAYHOUSE Whitley Bay in April to perform the newly released ‘The Ladykillers’ written by Graham Linehan.

‘The Ladykillers’ is a classic black comedy; a sweet little old lady, alone in her house, is pitted against a gang of criminal misfits who will stop at nothing.

Posing as amateur musicians, Professor Marcus and his gang rent rooms in the lopsided house of sweet but strict Mrs Wilberforce. The villains plot to involve her, unwittingly, in Marcus' brilliantly conceived heist job. The police are left stumped but Mrs Wilberforce becomes wise to their ruse and Marcus concludes that there is only one way to keep the old lady quiet. With only her parrot, General Gordon, to help her, Mrs Wilberforce is alone with five desperate men. But who will be forced to face the music?

If you were lucky enough to experience ‘Fawlty Towers’ and ‘Father Ted’ last year then you will know you are in for a treat with the Whitley Bay Theatre Company in April!

The Cookie Jar Designer Market is a one monthly event at the Holy Biscuit Art Gallery. It takes place every second Saturday of the month. If you like arts and crafts and are looking for a good time, then it is the place for you!

The designers offer original, high quality arts and crafts, textiles, jewellery, ceramics, art works, unique handmade cards and many other goods.
In our cafeteria, you can try our delicious homemade cupcakes, cookies and other sweet treats, tea and coffee are available.
We provide entertainment for kids and there is free parking.

The doors are open from 11.00-17.00.

We look forward to seeing you; bring your friends and family.

The one and only Michael Jackson tribute that will have you believing that just for a moment... The Legend Continues...returns following a phenomenal night at the PLAYHOUSE in 2013.

This superb production stars the world famous Navi who is officially recognised as the world’s No.1 Michael Jackson impersonator. He is also the only tribute ever to be chosen by Michael Jackson himself! Michael personally selected Navi to perform at two of his birthday parties and after one of the performances said to Navi “You are an incredible dancer, do you practice every day?”

Michael also honoured Navi by choosing him as his personal decoy and lookalike. Part of Navi’s role would be to distract mobs of fans and press who were waiting to see Michael whilst the real star slipped quietly out the back exit of the building. Navi was also invited to spend a day at ‘Neverland’ as Michael‘s guest.

Now, Navi, along with his incredible live band and dancers, is back in the UK for a national tour that is set to raise the bar in the MJ tribute world. Don’t miss this incredible show as Navi brilliantly recreates all the magical classics from the early Jackson 5 songs to mega-hits such as Thriller and Smooth Criminal, a fabulous night out the whole family will enjoy!

Cult Geordie comic, Gavin Webster, is set to return to the Mill Volvo Tyne Theatre on Friday 3rd October 2014, to share his hard-edged observations and Tyneside tales with a native audience with a brand new show!

Expect local lampooning, black comedy observations, sardonic songs, quick-fire one liners, glorious set pieces and bad ukulele playing. This man is the antidote to the shiny suited Arena comic. Don't miss it.