Gallery

Coming Soon!

Aria, 2015. Pit Bull Flower Power Series. © Sophie Gamand.

Image © Rafael Mantesso

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


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

Rheged Turns 25

On Now | Free to See

An exhibition looking back at the past 25 years of Rheged, from major developments and standout events. With a photo from each year that showcases what made the year memorable. As well as special memories, reflections about Rheged and photos from our colleagues. And a space for your stories too, where you can share your favourite memory from event or visit to Rheged.

On Next:

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


Creative Classes

Colour, Texture and Pattern Weaving with Jan Beadle
19 Apr
Enjoy a day weaving a scarf using a four-shaft table loom and beautiful coloured yarn.Jan…
Become a Weaver with Jan Beadle | 2 Day Course
16 May
2 Day Course, 10-4pm each dayYou may know the basics, maybe you have set up…
Portrait in a Day in Watercolours with Catherine Macdiarmid
17 May
Develop some different watercolour techniques that can be used for portraits. Photographs and photocopies will…
Rag Rugging Workshop with Lorraine and Alison
24 May
Rag Rugging is a traditional craft, in this case creating beautiful rugs out of pure…
Drawing Big and Bold with Catherine Macdiarmid
15 Mar
Inject some confidence into your drawing during this one-day workshop designed to expand your drawing…
Introduction to Two Colour Reduction Lino Printing with Liz Jones
20 Jun
During this workshop, you will design, cut and print five reduction lino prints in two…
Introduction to Two Colour Reduction Lino Printing with Liz Jones
26 Sep
During this workshop, you will design, cut and print five reduction lino prints in two…
Jigsaw Lino Printing with Liz Jones
04 Oct
Jigsaw Lino printing is a great way of producing a multicoloured print using one block…
Create Botanical Prints in Full Colour. Linocut for beginners with Laura Sowerby (Class)
13 Jun
Create an original botanical lino print in full colour, aided every step of the way…
Rag Rugging Workshop with Lorraine and Alison
26 Sep
Rag Rugging is a traditional craft, in this case creating beautiful rugs out of pure…
Introduction to Watercolour | Abstract Landscapes with Catherine Macdiarmid
26 Apr
In this workshop you will learn the basic techniques of painting watercolour, through a series…
Paint Big and Bold in Acrylics with Catherine Macdiarmid 
21 Jun
Unleash your expression with acrylic paint in this workshop.  Designed to discover different painting techniques,…
Paint Your Dog with Catherine Macdiarmid
08 Mar
Dog portraits are very popular and often people want to immortalise their beloved pets in…
Sea Glass Jewellery Workshop with Gail Coxon
21 Feb
During this six hour workshop, you will learn the basic metal smithing techniques of sawing,…
Kintsugi Craft Workshop for Beginners
09 May
Discover the ancient art of Kintsugi in a fun and creative way and create beautiful…
Botanical Watercolour Workshop for Beginners with Carla Gebhard
14 Jun
A lovely and relaxing watercolour workshop for beginners, inspired by dried flowers and their imperfect…
Tartan Weaving with Jan Beadle
20 Jun
This course is a perfect introduction to weaving for beginners. Enjoy a day of weaving a…
Create a Wendy Crossbody Bag with Emma Redfern | 2 Day Course
21 Mar
2 Day CourseThe Wendy Bag is a handy and versatile bag in two sizes, with…
Honeycomb Weaving with Jan Beadle
15 Mar
Honeycomb weaving creates a cell like structure which resembles the bee’s honeycomb. This class is…
Botanical Casting with Hannah Gregory, Creative Ewe
21 Mar
In the first half of the class, you’ll dive right in with a fun practice…
Introduction to Darning
28 Feb
Learn to repair your knitwear and extend the life of your clothes with Second Cashmere’s…
Embellishing and Personalising your Clothing
28 Feb
Join us for a hands on embroidery workshop designed to teach you the art of…
Stitch It, Don’t Ditch It: Simple Hand-Sewn Repairs
28 Feb
Join Mary V Morton and Jeanna Wigger, the authors of “Stitch It, Don’t Ditch It: Simple…
Exploring Cyanotype, Printing with Light with Kim Tillyer
10 May
Spend a day discovering the historical printing process of Cyanotype; making beautiful “blueprints” from natural…
Spinner Ring Workshop with Gail Coxon
27 Jun
During this six hour workshop, you will learn the basic metal smithing techniques of sawing,…
Spring Flower Bouquet with North Lakes Stained Glass
21 Feb
Join Kate and explore the wonderful heritage craft of stained glass with a contemporary twist…
Spinner Ring Workshop with Gail Coxon
22 Feb
During this six hour workshop, you will learn the basic metal smithing techniques of sawing,…
Sea Glass Jewellery Workshop with Gail Coxon
28 Jun
During this six hour workshop, you will learn the basic metal smithing techniques of sawing,…
Become a Weaver with Jan Beadle | 2 Day Course
14 Feb
2 Day Course, 10-4pm each dayYou may know the basics, maybe you have set up…
Crochet for Beginners with Carole Rennison
28 Mar
Carole will firstly teach you how to hold the yarn and make a chain which…
Garden Trellis Feature with North Lakes Stained Glass
22 Feb
The craft of Stained Glass is often described as ‘the art of light’, with each…
Creative Card Collagraph Workshop with Jenny McCabe | 2 Day Course
18 Apr
Discover the art of collagraph printmaking in this engaging two-day workshop with Jenny McCabe. Whether…
Introduction to Glass Fusing with Roxanne Denny
24 Apr
Learn a new skill and enjoy the freedom to get creative while making your own…
Garden Trellis Feature with North Lakes Stained Glass
11 Apr
The craft of Stained Glass is often described as ‘the art of light’, with each…
Yarn Hooking Workshop with Carole Rennison
11 Apr
Yarn hooking is a relaxed and creative craft. It is similar to the old age…
Calligraphy for Beginners with Claire Gould
25 Apr
Treat yourself to this fun calligraphy session led by Claire Gould. Explore the magic of…
The Landscape Sketch in Oil with Martin Greenland
22 Mar
One of the many advantages of oil is that it takes time to dry. This,…
Dried Flower Bouquet Making with Rebecca & Scott from The Pretty Wild Flower Co
07 Mar
During this relaxing and creative class you’ll be surrounded by beautiful dried flowers, foliages, seed…
Drypoint Printmaking with Jenny McCabe
15 Feb
Dive into the art of drypoint printmaking in this one-day workshop with artist Jenny McCabe….
Natural Willow Plant Supports with Willowpool
12 Apr
|
£90
Suitable for complete beginners and experienced willow weavers, this seasonal class invites you to create…
Beginners Air Dry Clay Workshop with Nicola Hunter-Dale
01 Mar
|
£85
Air-dried clay enables you to learn techniques used in ceramics but without the need for…
Jigsaw Lino Printing with Liz Jones
28 Mar
|
£90
Jigsaw Lino printing is a great way of producing a multicoloured print using one block…
Introduction to Two Colour Reduction Lino Printing with Liz Jones
14 Mar
|
£90
During this workshop, you will design, cut and print five reduction lino prints in two…