The Harley Gallery





Welcome to The Harley Gallery, where old and new come together.
The Harley Gallery is home to the historic Portland Collection of fine and decorative art. Displays from this internationally significant collection are accompanied by exhibitions from leading contemporary artists.
Additional attractions include events, ranging from tours of the State Rooms at Welbeck Abbey to meeting craftspeople at the Open Studios, a café serving homemade meals and snacks, shop specialising in contemporary crafts, and children’s activity area.
Free entry. Free parking.
Venue Type:
Gallery, Museum
The treasury gallery is the only venue displaying the private Portland Collection. Displays are rotated annually and include silverware, miniature painting, porcelain, textiles, jewellery and illustrated books.
Collection details
Decorative and Applied Art, Design, Fine Art, Photography
Key artists and exhibits
- A changing programme of five exhibition per year including contemporary craft, fine art and photography

Loud and Clear
- 28 April — 15 July 2018
The National Glass Centre’s expertise brings glass to The Harley Gallery in a way never seen before. Work ranges from floating glass panels etched with photographs, to brightly coloured vessels, to extraordinary sculpture.
The exhibition will include work by Scott Benefield, Heike Brachlow, Effie Burns, James Devereux, Erin Dickson, Carrie Fertig, Choi Keeryong, James Maskrey, Helen Maurer, Joanne Mitchell, Helen Pailing, Jeffrey Sarmiento, Ayako Tani, Angela Thwaites, Elliot Walker, Emma Woffenden and Jeff Zimmer.
Suitable for
- Any age
Website
http://www.harleygallery.co.uk/exhibition/loud-and-clear/

Form and Function
- 28 April — 15 July 2018
"The work I make loosely falls into two main areas, functional pots and large pots. I enjoy the rhythm of making functional pots, working quickly in order to create small batches. It’s satisfying you see the shelves filling up with pots ready to fire. And the end desire is that people will want them for everyday use in their homes.
The larger pots are a different way of making. More challenging, I make these pots in 2 or 3 sections, which is therefore more risky. I like the process of throwing the sections, joining them and then throwing more. It also provides me with a large surface area to make bold and expressive marks.
My mark and pattern making is constantly evolving, I enjoy experimenting with different techniques, from scratching through slip to, currently, masking off areas. It’s these new techniques that make opening the fired kiln at the end really exciting."
Suitable for
- Any age
Website
http://www.harleygallery.co.uk/exhibition/form-and-function/

Open Access Thursdays
- 25 January — 20 December 2018 *on now
These sessions offer flexible studio space for those who can work independently, with a full range of ceramics facilities available including two kilns and six wheels.
The Pottery Studio is a large, 178sqm workspace in The Harley Foundation’s ‘East Workshops’ which were designed by architect John Outram.
Drop in, but if you require particular equipment it is recommended to book ahead.
Booking is advised as places are limited. Call 01909 501 700 or email shop@harleygallery.co.uk
Suitable for
- Any age
Admission
Prices start from £5
Website
http://www.harleygallery.co.uk/event/open-access-thursdays/

Paint a Pot Thursdays
- 25 January — 20 December 2018 *on now
Get creative with your paint brush and decorate a gift for someone special. Choose from our wide selection of ready-made pottery, including mugs, plates, trinket boxes, egg cups and vases. Once decorated our technical staff will glaze and fire your pot.
Suitable for
- Any age
Admission
£5 per session.
All pottery items are individually priced and are not included in the ticket price.
Website
http://www.harleygallery.co.uk/event/paint-a-pot/

Half in shadow: Half in light - Clare Twomey
- 24 March — 17 June 2018 *on now
Shedding light on life at Welbeck, Half in shadow: Half in light reveals the push and pull of time on the historic estate. Twomey will present portraits of the current working life of the estate, shown as a series of lithopanes.
Lithopanes first became popular in the early 1800’s. When placed in front of a light, their hidden three-dimensional images become visible on the thin porcelain plate.
Illuminated from behind, the porcelain lithopanes will skew the way that we perceive the contemporary. Just as the lives and work of generations before shape modern life at Welbeck, so too will this old technology frame the telling of Clare Twomey’s modern stories from the estate.
CLARE TWOMEY
Clare Twomey is a British artist and a research fellow at the University of Westminster. She works with clay in large-scale installations, sculpture and site-specific works. Over the past 10 years she has exhibited at the Victoria and Albert Museum, Tate, Crafts Council, Museum of Modern Art Kyoto Japan, the Eden Project and the Royal Academy of Arts.
THE GRAND TOUR
This exhibition is part of The Grand Tour, showcasing the diverse richness of art, architecture and landscape Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire have to offer. Discover more of the region’s hidden gems at www.thegrandtour.uk.com.
Supported by Arts Council England’s Cultural Destinations fund and The D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership.
Suitable for
- Any age
Website
http://www.harleygallery.co.uk/exhibition/clare-twomey/

The Portland Miniatures selected by JAR
- 21 April — 1 October 2018 *on now
Joel Arthur Rosenthal, known as JAR, is celebrated for his intricate and extraordinary jewellery. The Paris-based designer makes work for an elite clientele; drawing from the natural beauty of precious stones, and combining their often vibrant colour with sculptural design. His finely tuned expert eye and exacting personal taste are second to none.
For this exhibition, JAR turns his eye to The Portland Miniatures. He has chosen an intriguing selection of jewel-sized paintings. In addition, these miniatures are accompanied by some of his favourite pieces of jewellery from The Portland Collection.
A highlight of the exhibition is a pair of rings that we believe were last together in 1786 – this exhibition will bring them together for the first time in over 230 years.
Suitable for
- Any age
Website
http://www.harleygallery.co.uk/exhibition/the-portland-miniatures-joel-arthur-rosenthal/
Getting there
Situated on the picturesque Welbeck estate in Nottinghamshire, The Harley Gallery is easily reached from the A1 and M1.
The Harley Gallery
Welbeck
Worksop
Nottinghamshire
S80 3LW
England
Website
Telephone
01909 501 700
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