Newcastle Arts Centre is situated in the heart of Newcastle, a short walk from the Central train station and Metro and is well known for ‘details’ art materials store.
Opened in 1988 by Prince Charles and built on the site of a Roman Mile Castle the Arts Centre provides space for cultural industries such as Watkinson Glass, Dave Fry Ceramics, Sumo Design, Generator music development agency, and Skimstone artistic media community.

Our exhibition programme for 2009/2010 includes:

Brian Addison – Drawings and Paintings

Continues on until 30th May 2009

Brian Addison's recent work has been concerned with rich and sensual studies of the female figure, well known for its concentration on a dreamlike fluidity of line and intense colour. New work underway for 2009 is developing a deeper tonality and explorations of new sources of subject matter derived from the coast, land/cityscape and natural forms.

June 19th - August 1st

Jason lives at Ryton on Tyne and has a growing reputation as a seascape artist capable of pushing the medium of watercolour beyond the conventional norm of scale and brushwork. To produce work like this requires speed and confidence that comes from years of practice combined with talent and enthusiasm all of which all well demonstrated in this show.

Fakeindielabel June 17th

Robert Stephenson’s Legacy - 150 Years

11th September to 17th October 2009

Cast iron bridge built Newcastle 1848

An exhibition of the engineering achievements of Robert Stephenson 1803 – 1859 focusing on the London and Birmingham railway drawings courtesy of ARUP “the creative force behind many of the world’s most innovative structures”.

This incorporates Heritage Open Days events organised by the Robert Stephenson Trust with guided walks at 12pm on 10th, 11th, 12th & 13th September to view Robert Stephenson’s railway structures, contact Helen Burns to book on 0191 261 5618.

Heritage Open Days at 55 Westgate Road, a country house restoration project in the heart of the city, a specially commissioned menu of creative episodes 12th & 13th September, Time for Tea More information.

Herman Angarita – Floating Gestures

21st November 2009 till 9th January 2010

The British Debut for Columbian artist Herman Angarita.

This work “explores poetical gestures, music and abstract shapes all combining to give birth to floating and magical sculptural forms.” The preview night is yet to be announced but we hope to bring a flavour of Columbian culture to Newcastle.

Newcastle's oldest Tyne crossing built to the design of Robert Stephenson and T.E. Harrison has been awarded a Europa Nostra Award this June for the quality of its restoration.

The Black Swan venue at the arts centre is available to hire and is suitable for concerts, theatre or dance performances, corporate events, either conferences or social and is a unique venue for celebrations such as birthdays or weddings.

Regular nights include Salsa on Fridays from 7.30

and Swing and Jive on Tuesdays from 7pm,

both start with lessons then go on to social dancing with a bar.

The Gallery Café is a friendly central meeting point with an additional attractive courtyard seating area watched over by the‘Iron Man’ - not a formal sculpture but a stage puppet for the London Young Vic's production of The Iron Man by Ted Hughes.

The café serves freshly made sandwiches, panini, salads, soups, cakes and treats.

Newcastle Arts Centre Craft Shop “Newcastle’s longest established specialist shop for original work by leading makers. More than a gift shop, it is a showcase for handmade ceramics and glass from across the UK and Europe.”

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In 1982 we opened our first trading venture 50 yards away from the Arts Centre site of 67-75 Westgate Road, because this group of of buildings was still a derelict shambles undergoing a major restoration. Our 'New Shop' at 57 had been trading as Woolfes, a picture framer and art materials dealer since 1924 and in 1982 we took it over to acquire a presence on the street and a much needed revenue stream. Back then we began as the smallest of seven art shops in Newcastle, and many long
standing names - Mawson Swan & Morgan, North of England School Furnishing Co,Waughs, Wards and Thorns are no longer on Newcastle's high streets.
'Details' has grown steadily over the years and its revenue has made possible the galley and performance studio. Best of all was the consolidation of all departments of the Arts Centre in 2000 which was made possible by the trading cash flow.
The Arts Centre's independence and credibility in the arts community is down to 'details' and our commitment to making things possible.

A full programme of restoration is currently underway to the building that housed our first shop.
55/57 Westgate Road click

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