Berwick’s Degas “Russian Dancers” was reunited with the Degas drawings from the Burrell Glasgow for the first time in over 50 years, for a major exhibition last season at the National Gallery London.

“Degas – Drawn in Colour”, drew over 385,000 visitors including HRH the Prince of Wales, who brought members of his drawing school to a special viewing of the show.

“We would like to thank you for the loan of your magnificent Russian Dancers to our project…Being able to pair it with the National Gallery’s own Russian Dancers – probably traced directly from your work – made for one of the most beautiful and popular juxtapositions of the exhibition.”  

Dr Gabriele Finaldi, Director of the National Gallery

Visitors of all ages immersed themselves in swashbuckling family fun inspired by the North East coastline and the sea at Woodhorn museum during Spring 2018.

With a pirate school and themed family activities, daily live folk music with local musicians performing ‘Songs of the Sea’, plus three fascinating exhibitions celebrating the coast, shipbuilding and seafaring heritage including stunning regional art, there was a packed programme for everyone to enjoy.

We opened the doors to three enthralling exhibitions celebrating the sea and maritime heritage: ‘Open: Ocean’ was Museums’ Northumberland first open art exhibition showcasing artists from across the region; ‘Beam Reach Blasting’ chronicled life aboard the Oosterschelde, a three-masted schooner, among crew and trainees on a 500 nautical mile sail across the North Sea; and ‘The Williams Expedition: Rediscovering Antarctica’ highlighted the story of William Smith, a carpenter’s son from Seaton Sluice who built a ship in Blyth and discovered Antarctica.

Hexham Old Gaol hosted the ‘Extraordinary People’ exhibition which introduced some Hexham residents from the 18^th Century who deserve to be more widely known.

The exhibition was researched and produced by Hexham Heritage and featured James Jurin, Hannah Glasse, Ann Cook and the Hunter family.