Friday 13 February – Sunday 14 June 2026
Our love of dogs has been part of our national identity for centuries and affection for our canine companions shows no sign of waning.
This exhibition shows the work of international artists, designers, illustrators and photographers who use dogs as their subject matter and inspiration. The show will look at the influence and impact that dogs have had on these artists’ practise and will also give a brief insight into how dogs have become such an integral part of our lives. Artists featured include Sophie Ryder, William Wegman, David Shrigley, Gerrard Gethings, Rafael Mantesso, Holy Smoke, Martha Todd, Shauna Richardson, Lucy Casson, Mychael Barratt, Bryony Rose Jennings, Michael Gillette, John Bond, Zoe Whiteside, Sally Muir, Ryan K Taylor, Sophie Gamand, Georgina Warne, Gemma Rees, Whatshisname, Lazerian, Margaret Couch Cogswell.
This family friendly exhibition, where well behaved and dry dogs will be allowed in the Gallery for the first time, includes a host of dog themed interactives and competitions. Visitors can draw and display their ‘pooch pawtraits’, share what their dog means to them, and find out what they’d look like as a dog, using our specially commissioned digital interactive. There will also be a spotlight on our very own Cumbrian Canine Heroes.
A Dog’s Life is a 20-21 Visual Arts Centre Touring Exhibition
£4 per person, Children 12 and under plus dogs go free
Open 9.30am to 5pm. Last Entry 4pm
In Exhibition Hall 1
Image credits: Winston Churchill with HMS Exeter, by Rosie Fielder & Julie Trice
The Longest Yarn 2 | A Thread Through History
Open now till Tues 28 Apr | 9am – 5pm (last entry at 4pm)
Rheged is delighted to host The Longest Yarn 2, a brand new exhibition of knitted wartime scenes, depicting life in Britain during World War II. Volunteer knitters from across the UK created this stunning exhibition made from yarn. Comprising of 8 life-sized knitted heroes and 80 individual scenes, including rationing, building Anderson shelters in back gardens, growing vegetables in parks, evacuees, the land army, the Blitz and VE celebrations.
You may also like…
Fashion in the Ration with Author, designer, and knitting Expert Susan Crawford
In this talk, Susan will discuss the impact that the war and rationing had on the wool industry, explain how clothes rationing worked, and describe how knitting and repairing became a significant part of the war effort through the ‘Make Do and Mend’ campaign. She will also share helpful hints that we can all carry into modern-day life
25 Ap | 5:30pm
Upcoming & Past Exhibitions
Libby Edmondson’s Pop-Up Print Shop
Now open near our Gallery, visit our pop-up print shop dedicated to the vibrant work of Libby Edmondson with over 20 prints to choose from as well as a range of her Hare and Cheetah Sculptures.
All the artwork is available to take away on the day of your visit. You simply fill in the order form and take it the Gallery Desk where the team will be delighted to help.
Open daily 10am-5pm
Community Gallery
SPEED OF LIFE – a Carlisle College Art Project in collaboration with the Keswick Film Festival
Film as an art form addresses what it is to be alive, what remains when all else is gone, and how we find meaning in light, movement, sound and the people and objects around us. The artworks on display all aspire to translate these elements from the films featured in this year’s Keswick Film Festival into images and objects.
Opens 14 Feb till 12 Apr
Creative Classes
