PARTICIPATING VENUES
We are lucky enough to have some of the finest art organisations, galleries and venues within Shrewsbury. Here is the list of who is involved this year.
SHREWSBURY MUSEUM AND ART GALLERY
Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery sits proudly in the town square and is the county’s flagship museum and art gallery visited by over 70,000 people each year.
Visitors can explore millions of years of history through over one thousand remarkable objects in a complex of extraordinary and beautiful buildings.
OPENING TIMES
Monday - Saturday
10am - 5pm
THE PARADE
The Parade Shops, set in the heart of Shrewsbury, provides a unique shopping experience. The stylish Grade II listed building is home to a collection of unique, independent shops and businesses on two floors with an attractive terrace cafe overlooking the river Severn.
THE VISUAL ART NETWORK
The Visual Art Network (VAN) is a member-led, volunteer run organisation for local artists and makers aiming to promote the visual arts in Shropshire and the surrounding area. We currently have around 100 members.
During Shrewsbury Arts Trail our street gallery, located on the middle level of the Darwin Shopping Centre in Shrewsbury, will be hosting two exhibitions of members’ work.
SODEN COLLECTION
The Soden Collection specialises in contemporary art and sculpture. The gallery exhibits world renowned artists, such as, Joan Miro, LS Lowry, Damien Hirst, Antony Gormley, Salvador Dali as well as contemporary giants like sculptor, Halima Cassell MBE.
We offer a number of quality services which include purchasing art interest-free with the scheme, ‘Own Art’ and home viewing service.
OPENING TIMES
Tuesday to Saturday: 10am – 5pm
Sunday & Monday: By Appointment
SHREWSBURY ARTS & CRAFTS
The work of up to 40 individuals can be seen in the shop at any one time, as well as on our social media platforms.
Our ethos is very much founded on the celebration of community. The works of arts and crafts are diverse with all items being handmade to a high standard, and many are unique one-offs. The work of established local artists can be seen and purchased, alongside unknown and emerging talent.
OPENING TIMES
Monday – Friday: 10.30 am – 3.00 pm
Saturday: 10.00 am – 4.00 pm
Sunday: Closed
ST MARY'S CHURCH
The Churches Conservation Trust is the national charity protecting historic churches at risk. For more information about the churches in our care, donations and volunteering opportunities and to book for the events listed visit the website: visitchurches.org.uk
Events are free to attend unless otherwise stated - donations welcome.
SHREWSBURY LIBRARY
Shrewsbury Library is set in a beautiful Grade I listed building where Charles Darwin went to school. Visitors can explore a wide range of books and reading materials, use the free Wi-Fi, access computers and scanning facilities, or simply relax in a warm, safe environment.
The library is now also home to the Shrewsbury Arts and Crafts concession, showcasing the work of talented local makers. Visitors can browse and purchase handmade items, discover unique one-off pieces, and take part in creative workshops and activities throughout the year — making the library not just a place for reading, but a lively hub for creativity and community connection.
Opening times:
Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 9:30 am – 5:00 pm
Tuesday: 9:30 am – 7:00 pm
Saturday: 9:30 am – 4:00 pm
SHREWSBURY MARKET HALL
Shrewsbury’s Market Hall has become a haven for a growing colony of artists and handcrafters who have turned a large part of the market’s upper floor into a creative quarter.
Head up to the gallery level and you’ll find artists and designer- makers at work, as well as giant murals by the Shrewsbury-based international artist Matt Sewell. Matt’s urban mural, overlooking the gallery of the market, was painted to celebrate the story of a rare American black-crowned heron that mysteriously set up home in the town’s Quarry Park Dingle for several months in 2017.
Matt has also created a stunning giant mural in the market wine bar Petitglou, also on the gallery level, depicting a biodynamic vineyard in moonlight.
OPENING TIMES
Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday 10am – 4pm
SWAN HILL STUDIO
Swan Hill Studios is a not-for-profit creative space in the heart of Shrewsbury, dedicated to supporting artists and fostering a vibrant artistic community. Housed in a characterful 18th-century building, the studio offers workspaces, exhibition opportunities, and collaborative programming. This summer, Swan Hill will launch a new series of artist-led workshops for all ages, delivered by members of The Circle, its resident artist network. Alongside this, the yearlong Creative Wellbeing Programme will continue in partnership with Lingen Davies Cancer Fund, offering free, supportive workshops for individuals living with and beyond cancer. They offer residency opportunities for both local and international artists wishing to engage with Shrewsbury’s cultural life.
THE HIVE
The Hive is a creative venue and charity organisation based in Shrewsbury town centre, running wellbeing projects across Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin.
Opening times: Tuesday – Friday 10:00-16:30
THEATRE SEVERN
Theatre Severn was officially opened on 25 March 2009 and is situated on Frankwell Quay, a stunning riverside location and one of the main gateways into Shrewsbury. The county town of Shropshire, renowned for its culture and heritage, Shrewsbury is an increasingly popular visitor destination.
BEAR STEPS GALLERY
Shrewsbury Civic Society’s home is at Bear Step’s Hall, St Alkmund’s Place in Shrewsbury. The society campaigns for the preservation, protection, development and improvement of the town’s architecture. Established in 1963 it has individual and corporate membership who support the work it does for the town.
As part of this, the society makes available a number of galleries and exhibition spaces at Bear Steps Hall as a showcase for new and established artists – mainly local – but also hosts the annual Shrewsbury Cartoon Festival.
GATEWAY GALLERY
Shrewsbury train station. It holds regular exhibitions by artists from across Wales, the West Midlands and beyond, as well an impressive range of community-focused and accessible events throughout the year. Attached to the gallery is the spacious ‘Cafe on the Severn’, featuring gorgeous river views and a fantastic seasonal menu incorporating locally-sourced ingredients and excellent coffee.
Opening Times
Monday-Wednesday: 9.00 am - 4.30 pm
Thursday: 9.00 am – 8.00 pm
Friday: 9.00 am – 4.00 pm
NO. 61
No. 61, Mardol is an eclectic place where you can find an exciting mix of new and old handmade items. We showcase local artists in all mediums. We sell local art, studio glass and pottery, handmade jewellery, lighting, woodwork, furniture and ceramics, all at reasonable prices.
Opening Times
Monday – Saturday: 10.30 am - 4.00 pm
Sunday: Closed
SHROPSHIRE ART SOCIETY
Shropshire Art Society is a thriving community of artists and lovers of the visual arts, based in the beautiful county of Shropshire. We showcase our work to the public in two annual art exhibitions in Shrewsbury and organise a wide variety of activities for our members including workshops and classes, plein-air sketching days, lectures, gallery trips and painting holidays.
MADE IN SHROPSHIRE
A collaboration of artists, designer- makers and food producers who live and work in Shropshire.
The Made in Shropshire group came into existence in 2005 as a collaboration between Women in Rural Enterprise (WiRE) and the Shropshire Rural Hub as a way of developing a marketplace for small, unique art, craft, and food businesses in Shropshire.
Initially nurtured and still linked to the Shropshire Rural Hub, Made in Shropshire members now regularly showcase their products at 2 monthly markets - one in The Square in Shrewsbury (2nd Saturday of the month) and one in Ludlow (1st Saturday of selected months).
Made in Shropshire select their members to ensure a diverse range of quality, skilfully crafted, creative products made in the lovely county of Shropshire.
GREENHOUS GROUP
Open Monday to Saturday from 9am – 5pm, the showroom will offer a relaxed and pressure-free environment where customers can ask questions and explore at their leisure. By providing a wide range of vehicle options in an easily accessible space and the ability to book MOTs and vehicle services, Greenhous reinforces its long-standing customer-centric approach to retail.