What are the opening hours?

Monday 10:30am - 5pm Tuesday 10:30am - 5pm Wednesday 10:30am - 5pm Thursday 10:30am - 5pm Friday 10:30am - 5pm Saturday 10:30am - 5pm

The Pier Arts Centre

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The Pier Arts Centre

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The Pier Arts Centre, Museum & Art Gallery in Orkney. www.pierartscentre.com
01856 850209 FREE ADMISSION

The Pier Arts Centre in Stromness, Orkney was established in 1979 to provide a home for an important collection of British fine art donated by the author, peace activist and philanthropist Margaret Gardiner (1904 – 2005). The permanent Collection includes works by major 20th Century artists Barbara Hepworth, Ben Nicholson and Alfred Wallis, amongst others, as well as contemporary art by Sean Scully, Eva Rothschild and Olafur Eliasson. The Collection also includes local artists including Sylvia Wishart and Stanley Cursiter. Although small, it is regarded as one of the finest collections of the period in the UK. A Recognised Collection of National Significance to Scotland, key works are regularly loaned to prominent exhibitions around the world. The Pier Arts Centre is also a partner of Tate, and exchanges programmes, ideas and skills with the Plus Tate network of visual arts organisations across the UK. The Centre also curates a year round programme of changing exhibitions and events for the education and enjoyment of the general public. Housed in a complex of buildings with a rich history, the Centre re-opened in July 2007 following a major redevelopment. This included creating a stunning award-winning new building on one of the piers which characterise the historic town of Stromness. The Pier Arts Centre acts as a focal point for the local artistic community. It has a valuable library and archive which is accessible to the public, and runs a programme of education and outreach activities for groups of all ages. The Pier Arts Centre is a Scottish Registered Charity No SC014815

28/10/2026

Today we celebrate the birth of artist poet and gardener Ian Hamilton Finlay (1925-2006)

Available to buy in our gallery shop - Rousay Mending, a limited edition by Alistair Peebles published by Brae Editions - retailing at £125.00

It comprises a hinged tin containing eight cards die-cut in a design derived from those traditionally used for darning and repairs. They are hand-stamped in each case with three words, and wound with three corresponding (and thus implicitly re-named) colours of Shetland 2-ply wool. Each word refers to an aspect of Finlay’s experience of the island, and/or to the poetry he wrote there or about there. While together each set of words constitutes in effect a poem—e.g. “SEABOOT/LOBSTER/TAR”—taken as a whole they convey, in combination with the associated strand of wool, and the rest of the mending kit, the homage intended, playful but based on extensive research into a period hitherto highly obscure.

27/10/2026

Our current exhibition, Water and Ground - New work by Teresa Borek is on display until 7 November

The exhibition brings together work by Stromness artist Teresa Borek, using mainly inks to illustrate her exploration of landscape, geology, memory, and sensation.

Open Tuesday-Saturday 10:30am-5pm. Admission is FREE

24/10/2026

Calling all Orkney based artists and makers!
The deadline to submit work for our Annual Open Exhibition is 5pm Saturday 7 November

Details and entry form can be downloaded from our website or picked up from the gallery

Open Tuesday-Saturday 10:30am-5pm. Admission Free

23/10/2026

Moti - The First Ten Years is on display until 24 December
MÓTI Collective is a group of art and design graduates who have either studied in, returned to, or chosen to base themselves in Orkney. Their founding members were initially brought together by the Pier Arts Centre’s graduates’ exhibition Stargazing in 2015, founding the collective the following year.
This exhibition, celebrating ten years since their inception, brings together the work of 17 members of Móti Collective in a wide range of media including photography, sculpture, printmaking and textiles.

20/10/2026

Neuk Orkney are having their October meetup at the Pier Arts Centre
Saturday 31st October, 1.30 to 4pm.
With a spooky printmaking workshop with Megumi Barrington followed by time to hang-out with refreshments. Scary outfits optional and treats provided!
Free to come along but workshop places are limited.
Please email Emma to secure a place and for any questions: [email protected].

Orkney Neuk Local

This is a professional/social group open to all over 18 neuro-divergent creative practitioners with a dedicated practice.

All forms of creative practice, trained or untrained.
Self diagnosis is valid.

20/10/2026

Catch up on last night's BBC Radio Orkney arts show to hear about our plans for the former Stromness Post Office, the MÓTI exhibition just opened at the gallery and the artists taking part in this year's Orkney x Japan Residency in partnership with the Pier Arts Centre and 国際芸術センター青森

17/10/2026

OPENING TODAY - Móti — The First Ten Years
17 October-24 December 2026

MÓTI collective is a group of art and design graduates who have either studied in, returned to, or chosen to base themselves in Orkney. Their founding members were initially brought together by the Pier Arts Centre’s graduates’ exhibition Stargazing in 2015, founding the collective the following year.

This exhibition, celebrating ten years since their inception, brings together the work of 20 members of Móti Collective in a wide range of media including photography, sculpture, printmaking and textiles.

Móti is an Old Norse word meaning 'towards; to meet' and as such they hope to provide motivation, support and feedback for their members, generating new work and building creative connections.

14/10/2026

We had a lovely afternoon yesterday - hosting an Informal meet the artists gathering with artists Namine Doi and Megumi Barrington.

Both artists are taking part in this year's Aomori Contemporary Art Centre (ACAC) / Pier Arts Centre artists’ exchange programme, supporting an Orkney based artist to travel to Japan, and hosting an artist from Japan in Orkney.

Many thanks to Kitchen for the lovely food and Mainland Strathspey and Reel Society for the entertainment

13/10/2026

Today we celebrate the birth of Terry Frost (1915-2003) with Black and Orange 1959 from our collection

12/10/2026

Tomorrow (Tuesday 13 October) 4:30-6:30pm we are hosting an Informal meet the artists gathering with artists Namine Doi and Megumi Barrington
Both artists are taking part in this year's Aomori Contemporary Art Centre (ACAC) @国際芸術センター青森 / Pier Arts Centre artists’ exchange programme, supporting an Orkney based artist to travel to Japan, and hosting an artist from Japan in Orkney.
Admission Free. All welcome. Light refreshments will be served

Image: Namine Doi, Fragmented Life in Everyday Life, 2025

Address

Stromness
KW163AA

Opening Hours

Monday	10:30am - 5pm
Tuesday	10:30am - 5pm
Wednesday	10:30am - 5pm
Thursday	10:30am - 5pm
Friday	10:30am - 5pm
Saturday	10:30am - 5pm

Telephone

+441856850209

Website

http://www.pierartscentre.com/

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