5 ways to get creative in Newcastle

Visit an art gallery

When you think about art, this is probably the first thing that springs to mind. But rest assured, Newcastle’s art galleries are a bit different. Gone are the days of wandering around a dusty old exhibit with your schoolteacher — Newcastle’s galleries are bursting with new, up-and-coming talent, as well as classic art to enjoy. Here are our go-tos.

The Biscuit Factory

Well-known and well-loved, The Biscuit Factory is an independent art gallery founded in 2002, in Newcastle’s cultural hub, Ouseburn. Originally a Victorian (you guessed it) biscuit manufacturing warehouse, the building was refurbished, with care taken to make sure original features remained intact. Today, the huge gallery houses up to 250 artists’ work, and focuses on providing a platform for national and local artists.

The Biscuit Factory regularly hold workshops and refresh their exhibits. At the moment, you can enjoy the work of Scottish artist Stuart Buchanan and even comedian, actor, and artist Jim Moir (who you might know as Vic Reeves).

Find out more about what’s on at The Biscuit Factory and plan your visit over on their website.

The Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art

Based in Gateshead in a refurbished flour mill, The Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art is the biggest gallery of its kind in the world. Showcasing artists working within the local community alongside show-stopping visual art, The Baltic definitely isn’t one to miss.

So, what’s on right now? Well, currently, you can catch group exhibition Hinterlands, Jala Wahid’s Conflagration, or join the exhibition spotlight tour (among others)— and finish up with a coffee and view of the Quayside in their cosy on-site café. What’s not to love?

You can find out more about The Baltic and their exhibitions on their website.

Take a class

What better way to embrace your inner artist than to get stuck in? We’ve found the perfect beginner-friendly class for budding artists to dip their toe into the creative world (and have a great time doing it).

Paint and Sip Party at Shipley Art Gallery

You know we LOVE a Paint and Sip here at Newcastle Apartments, and they’re back at it at Gateshead’s Shipley Art Gallery this April 22nd. This is perfect for beginners, with the option to choose between 150 paintings to try, and one-on-one instruction available if you need it.

This event starts at 2:30PM and runs until 7:00PM, giving you plenty of time to create your very own masterpiece. Oh, and it’s BYOB — so don’t forget your favourite tipple, if that’s what you fancy.

You can find more information and book tickets here.

Support local artists

As one of the UK’s creative hotspots, it’s no surprise that Newcastle’s local artists are some of the best in the world. So, why not support your favourite artists in the ‘toon next time you’re choosing some home décor by shopping local? Here are our favourite ways to do just that.

Buy from The Biscuit Factory

No, you’re not getting déjà vu, we did give The Biscuit Factory a shout out earlier in this article for their fabulous exhibitions. However, their support of local artists doesn’t stop there — did you know they have a whole online shop where you can buy locally-sourced art? With everything from textiles to candles, there’s something for everyone (and everyone’s budget) here, so why not check it out?

Visit The Biscuit Factory’s online shop here.

Shop at the Mushroom Works

Looking for some décor to jazz up your home? Maybe a one-of-a-kind gift for a mate? Look no further. The Mushroom Works not only showcases the work of Newcastle’s artists in their gallery, but also gives you the chance to get your hands on some of the unique pieces of art yourself. We’re currently eyeing up a cheeseboard, but you can make your own mind up by checking out the art on offer over on their website.

We’d love to hear about your favourite ways to get creative over on our socials. Keep us in the loop over at @ncapartments_.