The Slade Centre

04/04/2026

Landscape: An Alternative View - an invitation to the Private View on Friday, 10 April - https://mailchi.mp/652edbbeb165/landscape-an-alternative-view-an-invitation-to-the-private-view-on-friday-10-april

09/02/2026

An invitation to the Private View of 'Somerset Printmakers: Past & Present' - https://mailchi.mp/3e2293d6ba45/an-invitation-to-the-private-view-of-somerset-printmakers-past-present

10/11/2025

A quick post to invite you all to the CLOSING PARTY of 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝗮𝗿𝗸𝘁𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗗𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗲 at The Slade Centre on Friday 14th from 6:00pm.

There will be a chance to chat to Jonny Hannah , the wonderful artist as well as be entertained by his admirable crooning ability with a few songs and stories... even talk of a quiz if we are all lucky.

So come and have a glass or two of wine and help us celebrate the end of one of the most talked about shows of the year - not to be missed.

18/10/2025

LAST CALL - PRIVATE VIEW PARTY TODAY, SATURDAY 18th from 2:30pm

𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗗𝗔𝗥𝗞𝗧𝗢𝗪𝗡 𝗗𝗘𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗧𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗘

"My imaginary world squeezed into an imaginary shop (how I love an imaginary shop… real ones too, sometimes). This gallery used to be a department store, a place where you’d find all you need, much like Darktown itself. If it isn’t there, the chances are it might not be worth bothering with. So we have a clothing section - vetements de travail aplenty. Some great records in our audio department. Need your bike fixing? We gotcha. And should your car need a new door or bonnet, some leftovers from my very own Darktown Turbo Taxi (that’s a whole other story), are in stock. Marvel at the watering can, the enamel kitchenware, the miniature truck advertising the best coffee beans known to all human existence. It’s all here, only, of course… it isn’t. " - Jonny Hannah

Come and meet Jonny, have a glass of wine and see some brilliant work

15/10/2025

"If you don’t have a boiler suit, whether for him or her or them, then get one. You feel snug in it, and ready to take on all sorts of work, from editioning a linocut to building a ship (if you can find a shipyard)…" - Jonny Hannah

See Jonny's wacky workwear at The Slade Centre as part of 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝗮𝗿𝗸𝘁𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗗𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗲 until Nov 15th

Private view this Saturday 18th from 2:30pm - All welcome

11/10/2025

𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝘿𝙖𝙧𝙠𝙩𝙤𝙬𝙣 𝘿𝙚𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙎𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙚 is open for business!

Jonny Hannah has furnished the Slade Centre with a remarkable collection of wonderment and curiosity; from garden utensils to boiler suits, books to records and a playlist to be listened to while you enjoy Darktown's only taxi ride.

There is an intriguing mix of printwork and imagination from one of the most prolific and vivacious artists we have had the pleasure of showing.

There will be a Private View on Saturday, 18th, from 2:30 onwards, but if you can't wait, please feel free to visit earlier.

Opening times can be found on our website.

07/10/2025

The 2nd day of hanging 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝘿𝙖𝙧𝙠𝙩𝙤𝙬𝙣 𝘿𝙚𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙎𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙚 by Jonny Hannah and it is looking really exciting.

An amendment to yesterday's post where we mistakenly stated that the Private View is on Saturday 11th ... it is actually Saturday 18th. Absolutely, very much waiting for - but if you would like a peek before then, do feel free to visit as the show opens to the public on the 11th.

We hope that clears that all up? :)

06/10/2025

06/10/2025

This is so exciting. Today we have been busy taking delivery of the work of Jonny Hannah for the forthcoming show 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝘿𝙖𝙧𝙠𝙩𝙤𝙬𝙣 𝘿𝙚𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙎𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙚 which has its Private View on Saturday 18th from 2:30pm (all welcome).
The work is not only dazzling but also joyous in its celebration of illustration and typography which works with Jonny's feverish imagination and lust for popular culture.

Darktown is a virtual place inspired by crazy stories and unique people leading unusual lives - it inspires us all to be more fluid and free with our own imaginations ... there is also an accompanying Spotify playlist (more on that later).

You really should not miss this.

03/10/2025

𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗗𝗔𝗥𝗞𝗧𝗢𝗪𝗡 𝗗𝗘𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗧𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗘

Coming soon to The Slade Centre - our most adventurous exhibition yet.

Renowned illustrator Jonny Hanna delves into the history of our building and its life as one of the four once-thriving department stores in Gillingham. It will be filled with oddities and curios designed to make you pause and smile. Inspired by Jonny's love for music and the nostalgic pop cultures of Europe and America, there will be something for everyone.

Everybody is welcome to the Private View on Saturday, 18th October from 2:30 pm and the exhibition will open its doors on Saturday, 11th October

See website for details

12/09/2025

The guys at ARTCENTRIC have just informed us that as well as providing fabulous ready-made frames for sale at The Slade Centre (you really should come and pick up a bargain) they would entertain any request for frames from their current stock and deliver a cut-price bargain.
Whether you want frames for photographs, ornate frames for oil paintings, plain wood or something more contemporary then let us know the size and style you require and we will pass it on.

10/09/2025

WE ARE OPEN and the gallery is full of pictureframes at amazing prices. From simple oak to fully gessoed oil painting frames we have a wide selection of finishes, sizes and styles.

With new frames arriving daily to replenish the gaps created by customers walking away with their bargains, it is worth popping down over the next couple of weeks to keep an eye out for that frame you always wanted.

Even better, the guys at ARTCENTRIC who are providing the frames are willing to make frames to order at agreed discounted pricing while the sale is on

So come and take a look and have a chat with Anne if you are looking for something specific... and do feel free to haggle ;)