News
Oldham’s Lockdown Museum is open. Welcome!
Oldham’s Lockdown Museum is collecting a snapshot of life during the Covid-19 pandemic. This week we are collecting photos or drawings of objects which represent the lockdown period to you.
Tags: oldham lockdown museum
Tell us what you think? Complete our digital survey.
Gallery Oldham want to better understand our digital audiences. Can you help us by completing our short online survey?
Tags: audiences, digital offer, visitor survey
Life Drawing goes digital!
Have you always fancied trying life drawing but haven’t had the opportunity to take part? We have the perfect solution. Join our new digital life drawing classes, guided by an artist explore different techniques, drawing nude figures of all shapes and sizes, and creating quick 2 minute sketches to longer held 20 minute poses! And […]
Super Saturdays: Colouring our collection
We’ve created some amazing colouring sheets to inspire artlovers. This colouring fest uses popular artwork from our collections and are free to share.
Super Saturday – Go Wild! Mini Beast Scavenger Hunt
We’re celebrating National Scavenger Hunt Day, we’ve created our very own mini-beast hunt that you can do in your garden. Go Wild! with Gallery Oldham.
Object In Focus: Rothwell Car
One of the most popular items in our collections was unveiled this time last year, the Rothwell Car, as part of the Oldham Accelerate Festival.
Accelerate – Oldham’s Festival of Transport Goes Digital
Accelerate goes Digital…Buckle up and join us as Oldham Festival of Transport goes digital this Saturday. This weekend we should have been welcoming you all to Gallery Oldham for our annual Accelerate festival, featuring SpareParts Festival, Tame Valley Vintage Car Club and Museum of Transport for Greater Manchester. However, due to the impact […]
Oldham Lockdown Museum Launch
Today we’re launching Oldham’s Lockdown Museum, a new digital project to collect a snapshot of what life is like during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Early Years Adventure: Printing At Home
Our activity this week is inspired by ‘Now the Mill Has Gone’ by Peter Stanaway. Artist Fay will be helping you to explore printing at home using found materials. Using blocks of colour and strong graphic shapes, the artist depicts a street scene in a northern town within this artwork. Born in Manchester in […]
#GetCreativeAtHome: Chippy Tea
Gallery Oldham’s getting involved with #GetCreativeAtHome to provide some great ideas of how you can get creative at home all based around the Chippy Tea.
Painting reveals a hidden Oldham Story
The Naturalist by George Henry Wimpenny has always been a great favourite with visitors. We investigate the person, place and specimens in this painting.
Family History at Your Finger Tips
Have you always fancied finding out about your family history? Then we have got some great suggestions of how to make a start.
Early Years Adventure: Tram on Union Street
Welcome to this week’s early years adventure with the the team at Gallery Oldham. We’re delighted to bring you this next activity inspired by the work of Cliff Murphy, an Oldham artist who is a firm favourite of staff and visitors alike. This week we’re focusing on Tram on Union Street. The galleries collection holds […]
Remember When? The Albion
Every Monday, join us as we delve into the Archive to bring to life Oldham’s past. For this weeks Remember When? we take a look at The Albion pub.
Super Saturdays: Sausages and Potatoes drawing tips
In this week’s Super Saturday adventure we’re helping you to perfect your drawing of figures….using sausages and potatoes.
Object in Focus for VE Day anniversary
We are marking the 75th anniversary of VE Day by choosing one object from our collections to look at the links between Winston Churchill and Oldham.
Remember When? Elk Mill
Join us as we bring to light Oldham’s past. In this Remember When? we celebrate our industrial history and take a look at Elk Mill.
Great Science Share – Dawn Chorus
Dawn Chorus – Great Science Share The Great Science Share is an annual science festival across Greater Manchester. This year the festival has taken a digital turn an we are excited to release our first blog inspired by the GSS! Each week our blog will focus on a new theme and will use our collections […]
Walking through a rainbow
We’ve got all sorts of rainbows at Gallery Oldham. Some in paintings whilst others are light installations where you feel like you’re walking through one.
Remember When? The Mighty Mannequin
In this weeks Remember When? we look back at celebrity, Joan Rhodes. Oldham Local Studies and Archives holds many amazing stories about remarkable people. None more so than that of Miss Joan Rhodes.
Early Years adventure: Morning in a Wood by Harry Watson
Our third early years adventure this week is inspired by an oil painting in Gallery Oldham’s collection called ‘Morning in a Wood’ by Harry Watson.
Super Saturdays: Be Kind Activities
The best thing you can do to make the world a better place is to create a culture of kindness in your own home. Be the shiny example to your family this week and pass a bit of kindness on to the ones that you love.
Exploring GO Explorers
Since our early years programmes began in 2013 we have had the privilege to work with hundreds of parents, grandparents, aunties, uncles, carers and everyone else in between.
Remember When? Druid Arms Pub
Every Monday we’ll be stepping into Oldham’s past for Remember When? Today we’re focusing on that great British establishment…the pub.
Super Saturdays: Spring Surprise
Get ready for Spring. We are all in our gardens watching as the flowers open…Take a look at our latest Spring arty activities sheet.
Remember When? Belgrade Hotel
Join us every Monday as we explore Oldham’s history in Remember When? Take a look at the Belgrade Hotel.
Super Saturdays: Easter Activities
We’ve come up with some brilliant Easter ideas for some festive fun over the holidays. You may not be gathering around the dinner table with extended family and friends this Easter but here are some creative fun things to do to celebrate instead.
Andy Pandy: Things we miss or don’t miss
Our Social History expert Bill Longshaw takes a look at favourite TV character, Andy Pandy….who celebrates his 70th birthday this year.
Remember When? Co-op in Oldham
Today, our corner shops and food stores are working hard to make sure we can buy essentials. Take a moment to look back at the Coop… one of our most familiar and oldest established retailers.
Super Saturdays: What to do to keep the kids busy?
With schools closed and the kids at home, the question becomes what can I do to keep them busy? Help is on hand. We’ve put together some fabulous crafty ideas to keep your young ones busy.
Fun Fact Friday: Oldham Athletic Football
It’s been a trying season for Oldham Athletic with the season suspended so it’s nice to look back on happier times with Gallery Oldham’s collection.
Rock Against Racism: Online Exhibition
Now you can enjoy an online version of our Rock Against Racism exhibition at Gallery Oldham. See photographs by Syd Shelton.
Oldham Local Studies and Archives achieves National Accreditation
Oldham Local Studies and Archives has been awarded the prestigious Archive Service Accreditation.
Coronavirus update: 19 March 2020
The Gallery will be closing at 5pm today and will not reopen until there is a change in UK government advice. Oldham Local Studies and Archives is also now closed. Oldham Council have a full page of local updates and advice which you can find here. Oldham Library will remain open to allow access to […]
Happy Global Recycling day!
Happy Global Recycling day! At Gallery Oldham we don’t just recycle, we up-cycle! Our Social History Curator, Bill Longshaw, has found several objects that are no longer appropriate for use in the Gallery but instead of just getting rid of them we’re giving them to artists who are turning them into art!
Coronavirus update: 16 March 2020
Coronavirus Public Information Update: 16 March 2020 We want Gallery Oldham to be a safe place for visitors, staff, and volunteers. We are following the advice of Oldham Council and UK government over our approach and want to keep you updated. Visiting Gallery Oldham At present our opening hours remain unchanged and ask that you follow […]
Rock Against Racism
Our latest exhibition opens on Saturday 14 March. Syd Shelton: Rock Against Racism explores the musical movement through the key years between 1976 and 1981. Syd Shelton spent time capturing the movement through photography and this important display of his work captures the spirit of the times. The exhibition revisits the energy of Rock Against […]
Sounds Like Her – Artist’s Review
As part of the wonderful ‘Sounds Like Her‘ touring exhibition, currently on display until 7th March. We’re delighted to bring you a new review series by local creatives. Inspired by the exhibition one of our fantastic visitor services team has recorded a podcast completely inspired by Sounds Like Her. Give her piece a listen by […]
The Sound of Peace is not Silence
Patrick Bell describes his visit to Sounds Like Her exhibition at Gallery Oldham.
The Moon has landed! at Queen Elizabeth Hall
The Moon has landed! Queen Elizabeth Hall Oldham tomorrow. Illuminate will take place as planned this Friday 21 February but due to the high winds ‘Museum of the Moon’ will now be relocated to the Queen Elizabeth Hall, West Street. View this mesmerising Giant Illuminated Moon throughout the evening. Friday 21st February 6 – 9pm. […]
On a Roll
Exploring my family history with the textile industry through Gallery Oldham’s collections. Discovering Rome Mill, the Lees and textile rollers.
See Oldham in a New Light
We’ve mentioned it already but we are really excited about this year’s Illuminate Festival! This is the fourth Illuminate Festival and is your chance to see Oldham town centre in a new light. An opportunity to witness some mesmerising installations and dazzling performances. If you haven’t experienced Illuminate before then this film from last year […]
February Half-term Activities
February 2020 Half-Term family fun activities at Gallery Oldham get creative and join in the fun, have a go at spirograph soundwaves and making a mobile.
Degas’s masterpiece to come to Gallery Oldham
Degas’s masterpiece, Hélène Rouart in her Father’s Study, from The National Gallery to be exhibited at Gallery Oldham in 2020.
Illuminate 2020 – Diving into our Natural History collections
Find out more about Illuminate 2020 on Friday 21 February and what is going on at Gallery Oldham for this spectacular late-night arts festival.
Art UK shop
Find out more about Art UK and how to buy your favourite prints from Gallery Oldham’s and other public art collections across the UK.
Telling Stories – Objects Out of their Box
To celebrate National Storytelling Week we’re launching a project to tell new stories. Bill Longshaw looks after the Social History collections at Gallery Oldham. Here’s his story….. My name is Bill Longshaw and my job at Gallery Oldham is to look after the Social History collections. As well as all kinds of art and natural […]
Transformation Party revisited
At the end of November 2019 we showed over 150 people our plans for OMA which will transform the old Library, Museum and Art Gallery into a new Arts & Heritage centre and bring together Gallery Oldham, Oldham Theatre Workshop, Oldham Arts Development and Oldham Local Studies and Archive. It also celebrated 25 years of […]
Tags: 3D Model, Old Library building, OMA
Pass it on
In December 2018, The Oldham Rugby League Heritage Trust was awarded a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund. The award was to help the Trust to prepare the donation of their impressive rugby league memorabilia collection to Gallery Oldham. To mark the successful completion of the project a special celebration event takes place this Saturday, […]
You’re invited to our Transformation Party to celebrate plans for OMA
You’re invited to our Transformation Party to celebrate plans for OMA – Oldham’s new Heritage and Arts centre.
Tags: families, Gallery Oldham, OMA, Transformation Party
Take Over Day
Today Year 3 pupils from St Thomas Leesfield, Lees, Oldham took over Gallery Oldham.
Tags: education, kidsinmuseums, learning, schools, TakeOverDay
Celebrating 25 years of the National Lottery
Join us on Saturday 30 November to celebrate 25 years of the National Lottery at our second Transformation Party. Lottery funding is an important element of our project to create OMA – a new venue for Arts and Heritage in Oldham. We’ll be having fun all afternoon at Gallery Oldham. Everyone is welcome, and there […]
Tags: kids and families, National Lottery, OMA, Song-writing, Sun Prints, Transformation Party
Oldham Open exhibition- Speaking to the Artists
The Gallery Oldham Collective catch up with Diana Terry who artwork Too Close to Home is on display in the Oldham Open 2019. This image has also been used in climate change demonstrations.
Tags: Artist Interview, Diana Terry, Gallery Oldham, Gallery Oldham Collective, Oldham Open 2019, Painting, print making, Too Close to Home
Conservation on display
Guest blog by paintings conservator Elizabeth Jowett My latest project is working with Gallery Oldham to conserve paintings from their collection that were damaged in a flood. The variation in severity of damage is vast, with some paintings really badly affected by direct contact with water, while others have been damaged by the humidity. I […]
Oldham Open – Speaking to the Artists
The Gallery Oldham Collective catch up with artist Howard Jones to talk about his artwork currently display in the Oldham Open 2019.
Tags: artist, Artist Interview, Exhibition, Gallery Oldham, Gallery Oldham Collective, Howard Jones, oldham open
October Half-term: Free Fun
Family Friendly activities at Gallery Oldham this October half-term.
Tags: arts and crafts, children and families, family fun, kids in museums
Oldham Open – Speaking to the Artists
The Gallery Oldham Collective catch up with artist Titus Agbara to chat about his new artwork Built on Cotton and Coal.
Tags: Exhibition, Gallery Oldham, Gallery Oldham Collective, oldham open, Painting, Titus Agbara
Work set to start on OMA
Work to transform the former Oldham library building into a new state of the art, arts and heritage centre is a step closer following the appointment of the lead contractor. Interserve, the international support services, construction and equipment group, have been chosen to deliver the £13m project and restore the grade two-listed former library and […]
Oldham Open -Speaking to the artists
This week young people from the Gallery Oldham Collective interview Peter Yankowski about his work The Morrigan currently on display in the Oldham Open 2019.
Tags: Artist Interview, Gallery Oldham, Gallery Oldham Collective, oldham open, Peter Yankowski
Turn your hand to origami
Learn how to make an origami dog. Simple fun activities in papercraft linked to our On Paper exhibition at Gallery Oldham.
Tags: craft, Gallery Oldham, On Paper, origami, papercraft
Oldham Open exhibition – Speaking to the Artists
Over the next month young people from the Gallery Oldham Collective will be catching up with some of the artists who are currently showing their work in the Oldham Open 2019. This week they interviewed Justin Hodder.
Tags: Artist Interview, Exhibition, Gallery Oldham, Gallery Oldham Collective, Justin Hodder, oldham open
Interview with Kevin Haynes and the Oldham Open
We’ve been very busy this week installing the Oldham Open which is due to open on Friday 20 September. Over 300 works were submitted and approximately 260 pieces will be included in the exhibition. I caught up with local artist Kevin Haynes, who has two new paintings in the exhibition this year. His picture I’m […]
Take Part
Get involved in the arts and volunteer with Oldham Council’s new volunteer maker service!
Tags: Gallery Oldham, heritage, take part, volunteer, Volunteering
Oldham Open: Interview with artist Titus Agbara
Artist Titus Agbara speaks to Gallery Oldham about his painting Damilola and entering the Oldham Open.
Oldham Histories Festival 2019
Oldham’s annual Histories Festival is your chance to find out more about the people, places, buildings and stories in your area
What gives you wings?
Behind-the -scenes conservation of butterflies and moths at Gallery Oldham.
Gift shopping? Try our shop
Looking for a special gift or a treat for yourself this summer? Why not visit our shop in the foyer for a range of crafts, cards, children’s toys and Oldham souvenirs to suit all pockets. We’re proud to stock a unique selection of textiles, ceramics and hand-crafted jewellery created by local artists and craftspeople. […]
After the Flood
Behind-the-scenes conservation of artwork after the 2018 flood at Gallery Oldham.
Can you help find a missing Peterloo banner?
Search for a missing Peterloo banner 200 years since the Peterloo Masssacre.
Songs and Ballads of Peterloo: Talk by Dr Alison Morgan
Don’t miss Dr Alison Morgan fascinating talk about songs and ballads linked to Peterloo based on her new book at Gallery Oldham on 24th July 2019 at 1pm. Dr Alison Morgan’s book, Ballads and Songs of Peterloo, is the first to gather more than 70 contemporary songs and poems about the massacre in a […]