Southampton City Art Gallery

24/06/2026

British Surrealism and Beyond: Treasures from Southampton City Art Gallery is now open at The Treasure House Fair

90 years on from the International Surrealist Exhibition, this display showcases work from Southampton City Art Gallery’s outstanding collection of Surrealist art, including pieces by key figures from the 1936 exhibition, together with a wider circle of artists that were influenced by this seismic event.

We do hope you will be able to visit us at booth 122 between 24-30 June to see this special exhibition. However, if you are unable to make it to London, we are delighted to say a selection of works from this exhibition will be going on display at Southampton City Art Gallery from July 11.

Plus, the exhibition recently made it into the NY Times: https://orlo.uk/gI1Hp

Images: David Owens Photography

16/06/2026

Looking for an affordable family day out? 🌞

Join our completely FREE Solstice Activity Day on Saturday 20 June, right here at the gallery this summer solstice weekend!

With art activities for all ages, including head dress making with artist Lucie Smith, there is something for everyone on offer!

Making art not your thing? Why not join Dr Gayle Chong Kwan, don a headset and go on a guided XR experience through the Avebury Stones?

No need to book ahead, but if you want to find out more or let us know you’re coming, visit: https://southamptonmuseumsandgallery.co.uk/events/avebury-papers-solstice-activity-day-free-event

Can’t make the date? Look out for more free workshops with Lucie Smith on Saturday 18 July and Saturday 8 August.

This event is free, thanks to funding from AHRC for the Avebury Papers Project.

15/06/2026

Meet artist Abi Kremer. Abi is a proud member of the Gallery team, and we are equally proud to have her leading fantastic workshops for us.

Abi has had a varied artistic career spanning public and private practice. She has work in collections such as the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum and R.N.L.I. Commissions include a wall plaque for the Queen’s Golden Jubilee and site specific work for the Royal Bournemouth Hospital.

Currently the energy of woodland spaces and structures inspire work which reflects an interest in prismatic colour and arabesque movement.

Abi is a co – founder of The Arborealists, an international art group with diverse disciplines, specialising in trees.

Music and dance are further sources of inspiration, leading to collaborations with dance companies such as Ballet Rambert .

A long standing career as an art lecturer has cross referenced and nourished the work. Abi currently teaches at Arts University Bournemouth, and Southampton University, running a course ‘Reflective Art in Practice’ – art history combined with practical art.

To see more of Abi's work visit her website https://abikremer.com/wp_site/

Images are of Abi Kremer's works; Urban Garden Fantasy, Lady Park Wood One & Two. Shared courtesy of the artist.

14/06/2026

Yesterday, visitors enjoyed fascinating insights from artists Dr Gayle Chong Kwan and Kialy Tihngang, as they joined Dr Fran Allfrey in conversation about their work as artists in residence at Avebury.

Thanks to all who came to the talk and to celebrate the opening of The Avebury Papers exhibition!

You can see Dr Gayle Chong Kwan's Oneiric Archaeologies and Kialy Tihngang's The Bluest Eye here at the Gallery until October.

12/06/2026

New Exhibition opening 🥳
We are excited to announce new installations opening this weekend at Southampton City Art Gallery, which invite visitors to explore the prehistoric landscape of Avebury, Wiltshire, through the eyes of contemporary artists Gayle Chong Kwan and Kialy Tihngang. Drawing on the rich archive of the Avebury Papers project, the exhibition brings together new work that reimagines the site’s past, present and possible futures through archaeology, imagination and artistic interpretation.
Running from Saturday 13 June to Saturday 17 October, the Avebury Papers presents artist responses to the Avebury archive commissioned by the Avebury Papers project. The exhibition is accompanied by a programme of talks, workshops, art school activity and family events, giving visitors of all ages more ways to engage with the ideas behind the work.

Image credits:
Gayle Chong Kwan, Oneiric Archaeologies, 2025 © the artist
Kialy Tihngang, The Bluest Eye (still), 2025 © the artist

10/06/2026

NEWS: Delighted to announce more tickets have been released for this fabulous free event on Saturday.

Whether it's art, archaeology or the Avebury stones you're interested in, this in-conversation holds fascinating insights. The Avebury Papers Project commissioned two artists, Dr Gayle Chong Kwan and Kialy Tihngang, to respond to the wealth of material digitised as part of the project. Join the artists to find out more about this process and visit their installations in the gallery afterwards.

This event is free, thanks to funding from the Arts and Humanities Research Council.

https://southamptonmuseumsandgallery.co.uk/events/in-conversation-with-dr-gayle-chong-kwan-kialy-tihngang-and-dr-fran-allfrey

The Avebury Papers Project commissioned two artists, Dr Gayle Chong Kwan and Kialy Tihngang, to respond to the wealth of material digitised as part of the project. Join the artists... Read more »

08/06/2026

It is time to announce the winner of our competition to win a free visit to Southampton City Art Gallery with free coach travel by Xelabus!
Thank you to all school for taking part and also to Xelabus for making this possible.
For school that have not yet signed up to our newsletter, which will contain more offers and opportunities, you can do so here:

https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKSOUTHAMPTON/subscriber/new?topic_id=UKSOUTHAMPTON_411 @

06/06/2026

Do you feel inspired after visiting an exhibition? Turn inspiration into action at this creative workshop on 20 June, where we'll explore Emma Richardson's exhibition 'Levitate Me, Ecstacy, Desire and the Sublime' and create our own mixed media pieces, with guidance and encouragement throughout from fantastic teacher Abi Kremer.

To book or find out more visit:

Visit Southampton SEE Southampton Lets Go Out Southampton The Arts Society Southampton

Take inspiration from Emma Richardson’s exhibition, Levitate Me and create your own mixed media pieces with acrylic paint, inks and collage. With guidance from experienced artist and teacher, Abi Kremer,... Read more »

04/06/2026

Saturday 6 June marks the 82nd anniversary of D Day.

Did you know, Southampton played a major role in the preparations for D Day, with troops, vehicles and supplies moving through the city and its port?

There are several ways to find out more about the history on Saturday. Southampton Heritage Fair returns to Southampton City Art Gallery from 10am to 4pm, bringing together local heritage groups, historians, volunteers and community organisations to share the city’s history.

The free event includes stalls, talks and guided walks, including a Civic Centre and D Day walk led by Andy Skinner at 11.30am, meeting at the fountain outside the Art Gallery.

Visitors can also find out more through the D Day display at SeaCity Museum, see the plaque in Southampton City Art Gallery presented by the 14th Major Port, U.S. Army, and follow the free Southampton D Day walking trail on the Go Jauntly app, FREE on all app stores.

28/05/2026

British Surrealism and Beyond: treasures from Southampton City Art Gallery at The Treasure House Fair , coming this June.

The fourth edition of Treasure House Fair marks a major anniversary — 90 years since the International Surrealist Exhibition opened in London in June 1936. To celebrate the occasion, Southampton City Art Gallery will present a special display drawn from its distinguished collection, featuring works by Roland Penrose and Paul Nash alongside pioneering women artists including Eileen Agar, Ithell Colquhoun, and Edith Rimmington, as well as celebrated surrealist figures such as Paul Delvaux.

The exhibition will be hosted throughout the duration of Treasure House Fair from 24–30 June 2026.