Scarborough Art
4 July – 2 August 2026
ABOUT SCARBOROUGH ART
Scarborough Art allows you to immerse yourself in art and discover work from the local creative community. Taking place at various venues and open studios across town, you can expect a wide range of media to be showcased, including painting, sculpture, photography and printmaking.
Scarborough Art | Summer Season 2025
To help you get a real feel for the festival, we’ve captured Scarborough Art and sister festival Scarborough Fringe during the summer season.
Exhibitions
Scarborough History
6 June – 9 August, Scarborough Maritime Heritage Centre
Exhibition celebrating 400 years since the discovery of Scarborough Spa water and Scarborough becoming Britain’s first seaside resort.
Rob Moore Art Exhibition
30 June – 6 July, Glass Box Gallery
Large and small works across various mediums. The paintings are often rich in colour and surface and some of pieces reflect things that affect or environment . Rob pays careful attention to the craft of image making.
Aesthetica Art Prize 20: Defining the Future of Contemporary Art
30 June – 1 August, Woodend Gallery & Studios, Scarborough Art Gallery
Aesthetica Art Prize 20: Defining the Future of Contemporary Art marks two decades of pioneering contemporary art, bringing 50 international artists to four galleries across North Yorkshire.
Form, Function and Fun: Photographs of the 1980s Fairground
1 July – 25 July, Gallery 6
An exhibition of photographs exploring the art, structure and social occasion of the British fairground in the 1980s. The work captures a rapidly shifting tradition, and fixes upon long-gone artworks, pop cultural themes and fashions.
Self Assembly: Foraged. Found. Boxed.
4 July – 1 August, The Curious Caboodle
Assemblage works with found objects by artist Katie Gill. Through the process of collecting, sorting and constructing; Katie creates playful and thought-provoking compositions. Viewers are invited to discover their own connections and narratives.
Edible Art Gallery
4 July – 2 August, Imaginative Icing – Cakes
All art on display in this art gallery will be available to purchase and consume. Yes even the picture frames! Open hours will vary – art viewable at all times through the gallery windows. See website for special preview opening and meet the artist.
John Egerton Retrospective (1940 – 2024)
4 July – 2 August, Blandscliff Gallery & Open Studio
This is both a selling and a display event for the remaining 80 plus works by the well-known Yorkshire potter John Egerton, who sadly died in 2024 of Silicosis of the lungs.
Everything I Like – Take 2
4 July – 1 August, Open Studio of Chantal Anderton
A chance for the general public to see the artist’s studio and work in progress. Expect to see a variety of paintings, drawings and sculptures.
Blandscliff Gallery and Studio
4 July – 2 August, Blandscliff Gallery & Open Studio
Set in a hand painted mural-clad street from the town to South Bay. A homely place selling a great mixture of pottery, painting, sculpture, wearables, from many professional artists. With attached studio for artist’s information about all the works.
Sportlight
4 July – 30 July, Scarborough Library
An exhibition of light-trail photography taken by PAW Photos during the Sportlight event in Scarborough Lights 2025, including cycling, paddling, skating and martial arts. Also featuring photos of the ‘making of’, by Wandering Photography.
Shirley Sheppard Exhibition
4 July – 2 August, Blandscliff Gallery & Open Studio
An exhibition of many of Shirley’s sculptural works in porcelain and stoneware with some drawings. Her studio is attached, where working can be seen and questions asked.
Three in One
4 July – 1 August, Gallery 33
Three exciting new exhibitions, drop-in talks and meet the artist events. Featuring artists of G33, SALT+SHAW and Simon James Smith. Includes mixed media, photography, print and books.
Tentacles of Terror
6 July – 11 July, Scarborough Market Vaults
Tentacles of Terror Series – An immersive mixed media exhibition exploring a post-apocalyptic Scarborough in a fun folk art style, where some creatures from the deep are over running the town. A mix of paintings and sculpture are on show.
Photographic Wanderings Around Scarborough
7 July – 13 July, 49 Newborough
A photography exhibition showing off the region throughout the seasons and documenting numerous moments of unique beauty with gorgeous light, wild rawness with wintery seas and dramatic snowy scenes of beloved Scarborian landmarks.
A Nice Day for It – Photographs by Emma Warley
8 July – 12 July, The Shakespeare Gallery
A series of candid street photographs by Emma Warley exploring everyday life in Scarborough. From day trippers to quiet seaside moments, the work captures the humour, rituals and small details that shape a day by the sea.
Three at Sea
8 July – 12 July, Glass Box Gallery
This seaside-inspired pop-up exhibition show will feature artworks in textiles, ceramics and mixed media by Wendy Doughty, Sally Deegan and Simon Doughty. Catch us before we sail away.
Wonders of the Wild
11 July – 9 August, Old Parcels Office
Giant flora and fauna made by artists working with community groups, celebratiing nature, wildlife and creativity.
Fancy Goods
15 July – 19 July, Glass Box Gallery
Fancy Goods is an exhibition by Scarborough textile artist Hayley Mills-Styles, inspired by the playful seafront souvenir shops. Drawing on vivid coastal colour palettes, the work transforms familiar holiday ephemera into carefully crafted textile objects.
Liminal Grace
21 July – 26 July, Glass Box Gallery
An exhibitions of paintings and original prints offering validation and hope to those kindred spirits, stuck in one of life’s many waiting rooms.
Woman’s Work of Whimsy
21 July – 26 July, The Shakespeare Gallery
Three matriarchs of fabricated whimsy will delight you with an exhibition of their current musings.
Celestial Adventures III
28 July – 3 August, The Shakespeare Gallery
Join us on a celestial adventure, journeying through time and space. A night photography and astrophotography exhibition by Astro Dog.
Time for Tea
30 July – 9 August, Glass Box Gallery
Colourful, papier-mâché characters bring a chaotic Alice in Wonderland tea party to life.
Installations
We See You: Remarkable Ordinary Women
23 July – 25 July, St Mary’s Parish Church
An audio installation illuminating remarkable, ordinary women since 1846. Featuring music and sounds written, recorded and produced by composer/songwriter Sarah Dew, with recorded contributions from guest singers and field recordists.
Open Studio
Flat 3
4 July – 2 August, Flat 3
Angela Knipe and Fatima Fletcher – two very different Scarborough artists – open their studio at Flat 3 at South Cliff. Combining intriguing objects with paintings and mixed media.
Angela Chalmers Open Studio
4 July – 11 July, Woodend Gallery & Studios
Visit Angela Chalmers in her darkroom studio at Woodend, Scarborough, where you can buy original artwork, prints, notecards, and her Creative Cyanotype book.
Lynne Arnison – Open Studio Gallery
10 July – 13 July, Lynne Arnison Open Studio
My space offers visitors a chance to step behind the scenes and experience the creative process first-hand – exploring works in progress, finished pieces, and the inspirations that shape my practice. Contact me if you want to visit on alternative dates.
Rachel Welford Open Studio
11 July – 12 July, Studio 26
Fused and stained glass, experimental and nature-based drawing.
Wendy Tate Open Studio Event
11 July – 1 August, Jersey Barn Studios
Wendy Tate will open her studio brimming with an eclectic mix of inspiration and artwork. Paintings, original prints, and ceramics.
Matt Nickels Stained Glass Open Studio
11 July – 12 July, Studio 26
Stained glass, fused glass art and stained glass conservation from Matt Nickels who is the resident glass expert on BBC’s ‘The Repair Shop’. Come along for a browse, grab a brew and chat about all things glass.
Talks & Workshops
Bookbinding Skills Workshops
4 July – 25 July, York Bookbinding
Spend a creative day learning traditional bookbinding while crafting your own hardback notebook and matching slipcase. With step-by-step guidance, use Buckram cloth and handmade marbled papers, choosing from a range of colours and patterns to create a unique piece to take home.
Sunday Art School at Peasholm Park
5 July – 26 July, Peasholm Park: Community Room
Adult visual art classes in a beautiful setting. Developing different techniques, with two new classes each Sunday, taught by artist Charlotte Hill.. Choose which you would like to try or come to them all.
Assemblage Art Workshop
6 July – 27 July, The Curious Caboodle
Taking inspiration from Katie Gill’s assemblage art in her ‘Self Assembly’ exhibition, participants will create their own little worlds in boxes using a variety of found objects and collage materials.
Create a Designer Notebook & Bookmark
11 July – 1 August, York Bookbinding
Enjoy a creative three-hour workshop at our Wykeham bindery, learning bookbinding and foil finishing techniques. Make your own notebook and personalise the cover using coloured foil and traditional tools, creating a unique handmade piece to take home.
Yorkshire Coast En Plein Air Festival
18 July – 26 July, Scarborough Castle, Woodend Gallery & Studios, West Pier Studios
Celebrate the amazing views of the Yorkshire coast and the art of sketching and painting outdoors. Held over nine days spanning two weekends. Participation is open to all abilities and none.
Haiku on the Beach
18 July, North Bay Beach
Discover the world of Haiku (a three-line poetry form originating in Japan). Create some tiny Haiku using the seaside and season for inspiration. Write your words large in the sand to change the scale.
Cold Water Creativity – Drawing the Sea
18 July – 19 July, Studio 26
Experimental drawing inspired by the sea and shore.
*Seaside Mosaics!*
20 July – 2 August, Scarborough Mosaic Workshop
With professional guidance from mosaic artist Gabrielle Naptali of 25+ years experience, you’ll make a summer seaside-themed mosaic artwork using the ancient and modern technique of mosaic in the calm and peaceful setting of Scarborough Mosaic Workshop, in this half day session.
Forest Garden Drawing Days
25 July – 26 July, High Dalby House and Cottages
Full-day workshops in the glorious setting of High Dalby House, in the heart of the North York Moors National Park. Revitalise your approach to drawing, combining experimental drawing processes with observational approaches and techniques.
ARTS & CRAFTS
From stitching and textiles to jewellery making and pottery, these workshops and exhibitions are an exploration and celebration of making. There are opportunities to learn about different crafts by having a go at making a piece yourself, walks to immerse you in Scarborough’s landscape and inspire you, and unique works of art created in the community on display.
Click on each listing below to learn more about each.
ARTS & CRAFTS
From stitching and textiles to jewellery making and pottery, these workshops and exhibitions are an exploration and celebration of making. There are opportunities to learn about different crafts by having a go at making a piece yourself, walks to immerse you in Scarborough’s landscape and inspire you, and unique works of art created in the community on display.
Click on each listing below to learn more about each.
WORKSHOPS
Scarborough Art is not just about viewing work – you can also make some by taking part in one (or more) of the workshops on offer. If you’ve ever wanted to make something but don’t know where to start look at the Home Spun Printmaking Workshops and create a work using recycled materials. Get creative with leftover fabric with Material Moves and make accessories to take home with you. At the Mixed Media Print Workshops you might create a complete piece of work or experiment with several new techniques. Finally – SHEP Kitchen are thinking about art in a completely different way and inviting you to make a masterpiece in the kitchen, combining both art and food.
INSTALLATION
Two immersive installations are being created for the festival. In St Mary’s Church, Birds of Heart and Sky by composer Sarah Dew celebrates vulnerable birds. Animated Objects are creating Touch Tour, an interactive tactile mural throughout the town.
PHOTOGRAPHY AND PRINT WORK
Go on Celestial Adventures with Astro Dog at Electric Angel Gallery through a night photography and astrophotography exhibition. Learn more about photography yourself on a Photography Walk with Wandering Photography. Or head to the SeaGrown Centre at Vincent Pier to see an exhibition of their Artist of the Month.
VISUAL ART
A feast for the eyes as artists fill Scarborough with artwork in venues of all shapes and sizes. Exhibitions will feature abstract paintings, mixed media work, landscapes, glass art, textiles, drawing, sculpture and much more.
With work based on diverse themes from social history and environmental sustainability to space and comic books, there will be something for everyone to enjoy and engage with.
For some of these exhibitions, artists are opening up their studios and in some cases their homes to give you a look inside the space where their creativity flourishes. Other venues include established galleries as well as new spaces opening for the first time this year.
