Woodhorn Museum invites you to discover & celebrate The Ashington Group, a group of artists whose story is rooted in Northumberland’s industrial, cultural & artistic heritage. Explore this inspirational story through our special programme of exhibitions, events & experiences during summer 2018.
In summer 2018, the much-loved permanent Ashington Group (also known as the Pitmen Painters) collection at Woodhorn Museum will be complemented by a special programme of exhibitions and events. The Ashington Group began in the 1930s as a group of coal miners learning about art. Within weeks they were producing their own artwork & in time their paintings amounted to a unique record of working class life in a northern mining community. In ‘Pitmen Painters Unseen’, visitors will have the opportunity to view previously unseen works by Ashington Group members on loan to the museum from private homes & collections. In ‘The Ashington Paintings’, Narbi Price, winner of the Contemporary British Painting Prize 2017, will present his new body of work which has been informed by the materials and methods of the Ashington Group. During the Northumberland school summer holidays, everyone can have a go at making art in our artist-led Pop-Up Ashington Group Hut. This fun & family friendly art experience is inspired by the hut where the Ashington Group met to explore art, work & life.