Top 10 Art Galleries in Colchester
Colchester is Britain’s first city and is steeped in history, culture, and art. With its Roman heritage, medieval architecture, and modern amenities, Colchester is a popular tourist destination that offers something for everyone.
Colchester City has a vibrant arts scene, with a wealth of artist studios and art galleries dotted throughout. From traditional to contemporary art, Colchester boasts a diverse range of galleries that showcase the work of local and international artists. Whether you're a seasoned art enthusiast or simply looking for a cultural experience, the city's galleries are well worth exploring.
In this article, I have taken a closer look at some of the Top 10 art galleries in Colchester, to help plan your visit to the city. For more ideas on places to visit in Colchester, please read here.
Table of Contents
5. Art Exchange, Essex University
6. The Sentinel Gallery, Wivenhoe
9. The Munnings Art Museum, Dedham
Art Galleries in Colchester City
1. Firstsite Colchester
Admission: Free Entry
Opening Hours: Tuesday to Wednesday: 10am - 5pm, Thursday to Saturday: 10am - 10pm, Sunday: 10am - 5pm, Monday: Closed
Address: Firstsite, Lewis Gardens, High Street, Colchester CO1 1JH
Firstsite Colchester is a contemporary art gallery that stands out as a beacon of creativity in the city. Designed by award-winning architect Rafael Viñoly, the building's bold, curved shape is hard to miss. Inside, visitors are treated to a dynamic mix of exhibitions featuring local and international artists. From painting and sculpture to film and performance, there's always something new to discover.
Firstsite also hosts a range of events, workshops and talks throughout the year, making it a hub of cultural activity.
Some notable exhibitions that have been held at Firstsite include “Flipside: Circuit Festival” (2016), a two week exhibition comprising immersive and interactive installations, gaming café, dance battles, film screenings and workshops, and “Antony Gormley: Field for the British Isles” (2020) an exhibition of 40,000 tiny individual terracotta figures installed to resemble a dense carpet.
This is a great gallery to visit on a trip to Colchester. You will need about an hour to get around the gallery. If you want to find out more about Firstsite, read here.
2. The Minories
Admission: Free
Opening Hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm
Address: The Minories, 74 High Street, Colchester, CO1 1UE & Pop-Up Gallery, 18 Long Wyre Street, Colchester, CO1 1LJ
The Minories is located in close proximity to Firstsite Colchester. The Minories' historic architecture, dating back to the 18th century, provides a fitting backdrop for its diverse collection of contemporary art.
The Minories in Colchester is not your average art gallery. It is full of energy and creativity, the gallery showcases the work of both emerging, under-represented groups and established artists, pushing boundaries and challenging perceptions. The Foundation's directors are aware of their social obligation, pledging to assist with mitigating climate change, working for social justice, inclusivity, diversity, and accessibility, ensuring representation of under-represented groups.
3. Original Art Shop
Admission: Free
Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday, 9.45am to 5.30pm
Address: Original Art Shop, 17 Sir Isaac's Walk, Colchester, CO1 1JJ
Located in the heart of Colchester City Centre, along the historic lanes, the Original Art Shop provides a diverse range of Fine Art Limited Editions Prints, Original Artwork, Contemporary Sculptures and Illustrations from artists across the UK.
4. MP Gallery
Admission: Free
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 5pm, Saturday, 9am to 5pm, Sunday, 11pm to 4pm
Address: MP Gallery, 21 Sir Isaac's Walk, Colchester, CO1 1JJ
MP Gallery is located close to the Original Art Shop, within the historic city centre. MP Gallery has an extensive collection of fine art, contemporary limited edition prints, figurative artworks and sculptures on display.
5. Art Exchange, Essex University
Admission: Free
Opening Hours: Tuesday to Friday, 11.30am to 5pm
Address: Art Exchange, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, CO4 3SQ
Art Exchange is located within the Essex University campus on the edge of Colchester. There are a variety of buses that stop regularly at the University of Essex and if travelling by car, there is parking on site.
Featuring both established and emerging artists from around the world, as well as historic figures who continue to inspire, the exhibitions and group shows at Art Exchange are relevant to current debates and issues. The artist-in-residence program is particularly exciting, allowing the gallery to commission new works that respond to the world around us. What's more, Art Exchange offers a diverse range of art classes, workshops, and outreach activities, making it a welcoming and inclusive destination for all to engage with and appreciate great art.
Art Galleries in Wivenhoe
Wivenhoe is a picturesque town situated on the banks of the River Colne, just a few miles to the south-east of Colchester. This historic riverside town contains a number of art galleries that are worth visiting. Wivenhoe is easy to reach from Colchester by either train or by car.
6. The Sentinel Gallery, Wivenhoe
Admission: Free
Opening Hours: Times vary depending on current exhibition
Address: The Sentinel Gallery, Chapel Road , Wivenhoe, CO7 9DX
The Sentinel Gallery in Wivenhoe is located close to Wivenhoe Train Station, which is just a few stops on the train line from Colchester Town Station.
The Sentinel Gallery is a modernist masterpiece designed in 2014 by Laurie Wood & Associates. The building, with its sleek design, has become a cultural hub in this riverside town.
The gallery is a home for all kinds of art and supports local and international artists while also backing the work of The Rob George Foundation. The gallery is owned by Lorraine and Pip George. Lorraine's art studio is situated at the back of the gallery, with pieces available to view and purchase.
7. Old Grocery, Wivenhoe
Admission: Free
Opening Hours: Times vary depending on current exhibition
Address: Old Grocery, 48 High St, Wivenhoe, Colchester, CO7 9AZ
Old Grocery is another art space in Wivenhoe that is close to Wivenhoe Train Station and located in the historic part of this riverside town.
Old Grocery provides a creative space in Wivenhoe for artists and art groups to exhibit their work. It has a regular programme of events throughout the year, check out their website for details of current exhibitions.
Art Galleries in Dedham
To the north of Colchester, Dedham is a picturesque village that exudes charm and character. With its historic buildings, quaint cottages, and meandering River Stour, Dedham offers visitors a delightful mix of natural beauty and cultural heritage.
The village is famous for being the birthplace of John Constable, one of England's most celebrated landscape painters. His iconic paintings of Dedham Vale and the surrounding countryside have helped to put the village on the map as a must-visit destination for art lovers.
8. Dedham Art & Craft Centre
Admission: Free
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm
Address: Dedham Art & Craft Centre, High Street, Dedham, CO7 6AD
Located in the scenic village of Dedham, on the border of Essex and Suffolk, Dedham Art & Craft Centre is a hub for arts and crafts enthusiasts. The Centre is housed in a charmingly converted church, steeped in history and heritage, making it a prime destination for visitors seeking a unique shopping and dining experience.
The Centre spans three floors, featuring the works of over 60 artisans and a selection of specialty retailers. The art and craft centre has a space within the building dedicated to paintings and drawings from local artists.
9. The Munnings Art Museum
Admission: Free - although some exhibitions do sometimes have an entrance charge.
Opening Hours: Wednesday to Saturday, 1.30pm to 4.30pm
Address: The Munnings Art Museum, Castle Hill, Dedham, Colchester, CO7 6AZ
The Munnings Art Museum displays over 650 paintings by acclaimed artist, Sir Alfred Munnings. Sir Alfred Munnings was well known for his paintings of horses. The collection also contains numerous sketchbooks and several thousand drawings and sketches. The museum was actually the home of Sir Alfred Munnings.
Art Galleries in Tiptree
Tiptree is a charming village with a rich history and a vibrant community to the south of Colchester that is famous for its Tiptree jam factory. The Sculpt Gallery is a fascinating gallery to the south of the village that is worth exploring.
10. Sculpt Gallery
Admission: Free
Opening Hours: Saturday, 11am to 4pm
Address: Sculpt Gallery, Braxted Park Road, Essex, CO5 0QB
Sculpt Gallery is located within a rural setting to the south of Tiptree. This gallery is one of just a few that specialises in contemporary sculpture and ceramics, and showcases the work of established and emerging artists, including John Brown, Gus Farnes and Katherine Klug to name a few. The surrounding gardens also display a permanent collection of sculpture by international sculptor Maurice Blik.
I hope you have found this blog post helpful. If you know of any other art galleries you think I should include, please email me at [email protected].
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