Mercer Art Gallery

12/06/2026

Meet Aesthetica exhibiting artist Stephen Johnston.

You can’t miss his work - one of the first pieces you’ll encounter in the exhibition. At first glance, it looks like a photograph… but it’s actually a painting.

Come and experience it up close, along with the other works on display, at the Mercer.

https://www.northyorks.gov.uk/mercerexhibitions

08/06/2026

Meet artist Juliana Kasumu, one of 50 artists exhibiting across North Yorkshire for 'Aesthetica Art Prize 20'.

See their work, 'What Does the Water Taste Like?', at the Mercer until 6th September.

03/06/2026

BAFTA-longlisted artist Larry Achiampong brings his critically acclaimed work to the Mercer as part of the Aesthetica Art Prize 20 exhibition.

With past exhibitions spanning Turner Contemporary, MK Gallery and Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art, Achiampong is one of the UK’s most compelling contemporary voices, exploring identity, heritage and global histories through film, installation and sound.

Discover 'Wayfinder', Achiampong’s powerful film invites audiences to reflect on migration, belonging and the ways we navigate our place in the world, blending speculative storytelling with deeply personal narratives.

https://www.northyorks.gov.uk/mercerexhibitions

29/05/2026

"Art is for everyone. Art is to inspire, to challenge, to gain new perspectives and to tell new stories"

'Aesthetica Art Prize 20: Defining the Future of Contemporary' showing at the Mercer until 6th September.

https://www.northyorks.gov.uk/mercerexhibitions

24/05/2026

Award-winning innovation for North Yorkshire!

We’re delighted to share that Out of the Box Learning has won Partnership of the Year at the prestigious Museums and Heritage Awards 🏆

This pioneering digital platform is opening up North Yorkshire’s rich heritage in new and exciting ways, bringing museum collections directly into classrooms, homes and communities, especially in rural areas.

Developed with 20 museums and heritage organisations, and supported by North Yorkshire Council and Arts Council England, the project is inspiring curiosity, encouraging critical thinking, and making culture more accessible for all.

Huge congratulations to everyone involved in this fantastic collaboration, including education consultant Rosie Barrett (.loreoftheland). Showing how creativity and digital innovation can connect people to their local history and keep heritage alive for future generations.

Explore the platform: www.outoftheboxlearning.org

Image of who is currently supporting with interpreting Blind Jack's Fiddle (not in image) over at Knaresborough Castle Museum which will feature on Out of the box Learning. Image credit Richard Gatecliffe

18/05/2026

FREE Family Activities next week 🎨

Come along to make your own 3D Pop-Up Gallery.

Cut, stick, craft and colour your very own art exhibition, inspired by our current exhibition, Aesthetica Art Prize 20.

Wednesday 27th May
10am - 3pm (45 minute sessions)
Booking required
https://www.ticketsource.com/harrogate-knaresborough-museums/make-and-take-3d-pop-up-gallery/e-pmkzjb

13/05/2026

Aesthetica Art Prize 20: Defining the Future of Contemporary, Part II: Perception continues this weekend at the Mercer.

This exhibition addresses the defining issues of our time, including the climate crisis, colonial legacies, social and political inequities, technological change and questions of identity and belonging.

Come and explore. Open Tuesday - Sunday, 9:30am - 4:30pm.

12/05/2026

We’re wishing the very best of luck to 𝗢𝘂𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗼𝘅 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴, shortlisted for the Partnership Award at the Museums + Heritage Awards 2026

Working in partnership with North Yorkshire Council, collections from Scarborough Museums, Craven Museum at Skipton Town Hall, and the Mercer, were transformed into accessible learning resources through a dedicated website - helping more people connect with local heritage.

Fingers crossed for tomorrow night! 🤞✨

08/05/2026

As if the joy of a new exhibition wasn’t enough, we’ve welcomed some new additions to the Gallery Shop to complete your visit.

We’re open this weekend, 9:30am - 4:30pm, for gifts, cards, ceramics and more.

07/05/2026

From the Mercer to the seaside!

Great to see past exhibiting artist Liz West in Scarborough from next Saturday, as part of Aesthetica Art Prize 20: Defining the Future of Contemporary.

I’m excited to share that my work, Shifting Luminosity, will be included in the upcoming exhibition “Aesthetica Art Prize 20: Defining the Future of Contemporary. Part III: Intervention.”

The show runs from 16 May to 19 September 2026 at Scarborough Museums and Galleries. The exhibiting artists invite audiences to see the world anew, question what we’ve been taught and broaden our understanding of personal and shared pasts.

It’s an honour to be part of this milestone exhibition, organised by Aesthetica Magazine and curated by Cherie Federico.

If you’re in the area this summer, I would urge you to visit and experience the work in person.

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 – Skipton Town Hall, Mercer Art Gallery, Scarborough Art Gallery and Woodend Gallery.