The New Art Gallery Walsall is getting a green makeover as part of a project to cut carbon emissions and reduce energy use, thanks to funding from the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Work is currently underway to replace the Gallery’s old heating system with modern, eco-friendly air source heat pumps. Solar panels will also be installed on the building to help generate clean electricity, along with new double glazing, efficient hot water taps, and other upgrades to make the building use less energy overall.

These improvements will make the 25-year-old Gallery much more energy-efficient, helping to save money on bills and cut pollution. Experts estimate the upgrades will save around 89 tonnes of carbon dioxide (equivalent) each year, around the same as taking 55 petrol cars off the road for a year, and more than 1,717 tonnes over the life of the new equipment, comparable to taking 1,070 petrol cars off the road for a year.

This work supports Walsall Council’s goal of reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2041, a plan launched in June 2025 that aims to make the borough a healthier, greener, and more prosperous place to live, work, and do business. 

Walsall Council has been awarded £602,532 to decarbonise both the Gallery as well as Bloxwich Launchpad. Bloxwich Launchpad is a project which will offer facilities and support to help entrepreneurs in Walsall, while also offering digital support and training. 

The funding comes via 2 grant sources: 

• £558,010 from through Phase 3c of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, which is run by the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero and delivered by Salix Finance.
• £44,522 from the UK Shared Prosperity fund, part of the UK government funding awarded to the West Midlands administered by the West Midland Combined Authority.

The Gallery is open as usual during these works, which are due to be completed by the end of September 2025.

For further information on how The New Art Gallery Walsall is becoming more sustainable and embedding environmental responsibility throughout its programme, visit: Sustainability | The New Art Gallery Walsall

Walsall Council’s Net Zero 2041 Strategy can be viewed here. 

Approximately 2000 visited the New Art Gallery Walsall over the weekend to celebrate 25 years since the Gallery opened. The celebrations started on Thursday evening with around 550 people enjoying a preview of new exhibition, ‘The Joy Project’ in the Community Gallery, exploring the building after normal opening hours and enjoying a special performance by The Blue Lights Choir, a group created to empower young women in Walsall.

The evening event also featured speeches from the Mayor of Walsall, Councillor Anthony Harris; Walsall Council’s Chief Executive, Emma Bennett; Dr Darren Henley CBE, Chief Executive of Arts Council England as well as the Director of The New Art Gallery Walsall, Stephen Snoddy.

The celebrations continued into the weekend with a Saturday launch of ‘The Joy Project’ with Walsall’s Youth Hopper Bus in Gallery Square offering lyrics workshops from The Blue Lights Choir, DJ session workshops and karaoke. Sunday saw a special edition of the Gallery’s free weekly Sunday Art Club making birthday bunting.

The Gallery opened its doors on 20 February 2000 and was subsequently officially opened by HM Queen Elizabeth II on 5 May 2000. The Visitor’s Book she and the Duke of Edinburgh signed on their visit can be currently seen on the Gallery’s Mezzanine along with a copy of a new local history book honouring the late Queen. It is estimated that 4 million people have visited the Gallery since opening.

The Gallery’s Permanent Collection now numbers approximately 4000 artworks, all belonging to the people of Walsall. This includes the world-class Garman Ryan Collection which is at the heart of the Gallery, and more recently, the Twenty Twenty Collection which recorded our challenging times through 2020.

Upcoming events include a World Book Day event inspired by the beauty of peacocks with performances from Sonia Sabri Company and Pep the Poet (8 March); Holi festivities including dance performances and creative workshops (15 March), an Eid Community Day with nasheed, artist-led workshops and mehndi (5 April), Vaisakhi Community Day with Bhangra dancing, yoga and tabla performance (26 April).

Discover what’s on by visiting: What’s On | The New Art Gallery Walsall

On Thursday 20 February, exactly 25 years to the day since it opened its doors, The New Art Gallery Walsall will hold a special celebratory event and late-night opening.

The evening (5.30-8pm), open to all, will be an opportunity to preview new exhibition, The Joy Project, enjoy a special performance by The Blue Lights Choir, a group created to empower young women in Walsall, explore the Gallery’s world-class collections and exhibitions after normal opening hours, and celebrate 25 years of creativity, community collaboration, exceptional exhibitions and activities.

The Joy Project, held in the building’s Community Gallery is a heartfelt and personal exploration of what ‘joy’ means today, brought to life by the Gallery’s Youth Panel and local youth groups. From the beauty of nature to the power of music, this exhibition will be a celebration of positivity and hope.

As part of the exhibition, the Youth Panel have revived the Gallery’s popular The People’s Show. First taking place at Walsall Art Gallery in the 1990s, the exhibition showcased local people with their collections, from commemorative neck ties to plastic bags, and beer mats to snow globes. A series of newly commissioned photographs will showcase contemporary collections and young collectors in 2025.

The week’s celebrations will continue into the weekend:

On Saturday 22 February Walsall’s Youth Hopper Bus will be in Gallery Square offering lyrics workshops from The Blue Lights Choir, DJ session workshops as well as karaoke. There will also be the chance to meet members of the Gallery’s Youth Panel and take part in a variety of free activities as part of the daytime launch of ‘The Joy Project’ (12-4pm. Free, drop-in).

On Sunday 23 February the Gallery will hold a special birthday edition of their popular weekly Sunday Art Club. The free art club gives children and young people the chance to meet artists and creatives, learn to paint, sculpt, craft and more. The birthday edition will see the making of colourful Gallery shaped bunting and feature tea, squash and birthday cake! (12-3pm. Free, donations welcome. Drop-in. Ages 4+)

Stephen Snoddy, Director of The New Art Gallery Walsall, said:

“In February 2000 The New Art Gallery Walsall opened. It kickstarted a renaissance of new build Gallery capital projects in the regions. If Walsall could do it and set the example, then why not Milton Keynes, Middlesbrough, Wakefield, Nottingham, Eastbourne, Margate, Colchester, Hastings and Woking? It really was and is a trailblazer, and now it is the cornerstone and at the heart of Walsall’s Town Centre Masterplan. Throughout our 25th year our beautiful building will be full of an exciting programme of events, exhibitions, learning and engagement opportunities. We invite all to visit and spread the word.”

Sir Nicholas Serota, Chair of Arts Council England, said:

“Congratulations to Stephen Snoddy and everyone at The New Art Gallery Walsall on its 25th birthday. I’d like to congratulate them for their contributions to the arts over the past quarter of a century since the opening which was a pivotal moment for visual art galleries across the country.

“Since 2000, local, national and international audiences have visited the gallery, which has hosted high profile touring exhibitions, including Damien Hirst’s first year-long exhibition and the important ‘Re-Imagining Asia Exhibition’, as well as being a permanent home to the Garman Ryan and Clive Beardsmore collections. The gallery has also been instrumental in supporting contemporary artists and engaging local communities, remaining firmly committed to accessibility and inclusion in the sector.”

Throughout the year there will also be lots of opportunities to explore, create and celebrate with the Gallery:

• Walsall-born artist Hannah Maybank will create and gift a new work for the Gallery’s 25^th birthday exploring chrysanthemum flowers. Maybank’s new work explores memory, ageing, change and transformation. All works in her exhibition will all use elements which change colour over time to create ‘living still lives’. (Exhibition: June – December 2025) 

• Outside In, the award-winning charity providing a platform for artists encountering significant barriers to the art world, hosts its seventh National Open exhibition at the Gallery, exploring the theme of ‘shelter’ (Exhibition: 27 June – 20 October 2025)

There will also be a number of celebrations including Lunar New Year celebrations with traditional Chinese folk fan and lion dancing (1 February); a World Book Day event inspired by the beauty of peacocks with performances from Sonia Sabri Company and Pep the Poet (8 March); Holi festivities including dance performances and creative workshops (15 March) as well as a summer celebrations (7 June).

Next year we mark 25 years with a series of events and exhibitions celebrating community and collaboration, as well as our connection to nature and the planet.  

What’s On

Earthbound 

15 November 2024 – 8 June 2025 

Floor 3

Set within the context of global anxiety about the climate crisis and planetary health research, this major group exhibition presents existing and newly commissioned artworks by nine artists and community makers that highlight our connection with the earth and our potential to return to a more healthy and harmonious existence with the natural world. It emerges from the argument that, over time, natural and human histories have become so disconnected that we have lost sight of the innate interconnectivity between human and natural life.   

REFLECTOR 

26 October 2024 – 9 March 2025 

Floor 4

The culmination of a ten-month intensive professional development programme for emerging photographers, artists and curators from diverse backgrounds from across England. Each works with photography but with different approaches and perspectives. This exhibition celebrates their achievements to date and provides an important step towards their future creative and professional development. 

Produced by GRAIN Projects in partnership with The New Art Gallery Walsall, supported by Art Fund’s Reimagine Programme. 

Walsall Society of Artists 

13 December 2024 – 2 February 2025

Community Gallery 

The 74^th annual exhibition by members of Walsall Society of Artists. Works included are in a wide range of media with many for sale. Throughout the exhibition society members will showcase their skills with the community. They will also collaborate with local poets for a series of spoken and written word events and demonstrations. 

Equal + Able = Not a Label 

8 June 2024 – 18 May 2025 

Floors 1 & 2

Exploring Ableism, Disability, Neurodiversity and Mental Health through The New Art Gallery Walsall’s Collections. This project is co-produced by the Gallery’s Collections Community Panel. 

Suzanne Holtom: And Hills Bore Scars  

29 March – 29 June 2025 

Floor 4

“During the pandemic I lost my Dad, and as a result my trips back home to the West Midlands became far more frequent. It was this continuing return to my original home, contemplating and experiencing this embodied landscape that initiated a new direction in my work. Specifically, the areas around Streetly formed the topography of significant sense? memories and stories of my earlier and later life. A deep mapping of place has become the primary motivation in my work, which encompasses geological time, social histories, personal experiences and memory.” Suzanne Holtom 

The ‘Outside In’, National Open: Shelter 

27 June – 20 October 2025 

Floor 3

Outside In, the award-winning charity that provides a platform for artists encountering significant barriers to the art world, hosts its seventh National Open exhibition at The New Art Gallery Walsall. The exhibition, exploring ‘Shelter’ will be accompanied by an exhibition of works from both organisations’ collections about the same theme.   

The Joy Project 

21 February – 6 July 2025 

Community Gallery

Over the last year, members of the Gallery’s youth panel have developed a collaborative exhibition exploring the concept of ‘joy’. The project provides an opportunity for under 25s to develop in confidence, build social skills, learn about positive mental health and gain useful work experience, working as part of our Collections Youth Panel. As part of the exhibition, the panel will revive the Gallery’s popular ‘The People’s Show’ from the 1990s. As well as young people as part of the panel, the Gallery have been working with groups including local The Blue Lights Choir, Funky Kids, Thomas Telford College and Braidwood School to explore the concept of joy from their perspectives. 

Hannah Maybank 

7 June 2025 – May 2026 

Floor 2 

Walsall-born, London-based artist Hannah Maybank is creating a special new work as a gift to mark the Gallery’s 25^th birthday. Hannah will also exhibit a series of other new works exploring the still life genre, using flowers and glassware. These works all have elements of materials which will change over time, creating ‘living still lives’ including silver (a material associated with 25^th celebrations). Hannah will also select works for the re-hang of the adjacent Flowers and Still Life room to complement her exhibition, having grown up being inspired by the Gallery’s Garman Ryan Collection. 

The New Art Gallery Walsall selected 2025 event highlights (January – March) 

Lunar New Year Community Day 

Saturday 1 February, 12-4pm. Free, drop-in 

Join us to celebrate Lunar New Year with Chinese folk fan dancing and lion dancing with DANS Chinese Dance and Performing Arts. Have a go at calligraphy, print lucky red envelopes (Hongbao) with artist Mengxia Liu, and complete the Red Gallery Trail. We encourage visitors to wear red or pink! 

JOY: Celebrating 25 years of The New Art Gallery Walsall  

Thursday 20 February, 6-8pm. Free, drop-in 

The New Art Gallery Walsall opened on 20 February 2000. Join us for a celebration of 25 years at the opening of our exhibition ‘The Joy Project’, which will include a performance by Jorja Smith’s Blue Lights Choir. 

Sunday Art Club: Celebrate the Gallery’s 25^th Birthday 

Sunday 23 February, 12-3pm. Free, drop-in. Ages 4+ 

Join us for a special birthday edition of Sunday Art Club! Make Gallery bunting and enjoy tea, squash and birthday cake. Sunday Art Club is our weekly art club for children and young people. Meet artists and creatives, learn to paint, sculpt, craft and more! 

World Book Day: Peacocks & Peahens 

Saturday 8 March, 12-4pm. Free, drop-in 

Join us for a celebration of books, stories, art and poetry inspired by peacocks. Enjoy special performances of Mughal Miniatures: The Peacock & The Princess by Sonia Sabri Company, and join Pep the Poet for funny, interactive performances of his poem ‘The Funky Peacock’. There will also be the opportunity make bookmarks with illustrator Bec Tonks, grab your free book from National Literacy Trust and pick up your own signed copy of ‘The Funky Peacock’. 

Holi 25: Festival of Colours – Community Day 

Saturday 15 March, 12-4pm. Free, drop-in 

Join us to celebrate the Festival of Colours with Bharatanatyam (Classical dance originating from the temples of Tamil Nadu in southern India) dance performances from Jnan Deep Kundu and Kathak dance performances from Roshni Pink . There will also be the chance to spray paint mandalas onto fabric with artist Haseebah Ali, make banana leaf parrots with artist Ahalya SP, get Mendhi from Mrs Bed and enjoy authentic food from Hargun Sweet Centre. 

The New Art Gallery Walsall is delighted to announce that following her major solo exhibition at the Gallery earlier this year, Karla Black’s artwork Study The Method Of The Theft, 2023 has been gifted to Walsall’s Permanent Collection by the artist.

A wall-based sculpture comprising of one hundred paint filled jewellery boxes in grid formation, Study The Method Of The Theft, 2023 brings to mind the desirable and carefully organised displays of sweet shops and make-up counters.

Stephen Snoddy, Director of The New Art Gallery Walsall, said: “We’re delighted accept this generous gift by a major Scottish artist, who has exhibited globally over a twenty-year career and consistently pushed the boundaries of contemporary sculpture. The work will act as a wonderful reminder of Black’s major exhibition, her largest in the UK to date, which saw our Floor 3 spaces utterly transformed by her pastel and metallic sculptures.”

REFLECTOR, a new and unique professional development programme, open to emerging Photographers, Artists and Curators of Colour working with photography, who are based in England. 

Produced by GRAIN Projects in partnership with The New Art Gallery Walsall, supported by Art Fund’s Reimagine programme.

REFLECTOR will empower participants and create new opportunities for collaboration and career development. The programme will take place over 10 months, starting in October 2023, and will include both online and in-person activities.   

The programme will include mentoring, masterclasses, portfolio reviews, and networking opportunities. These activities are thoughtfully designed to boost professional development and empower artists to advance their creative pursuits to the next level.

Additionally, bursaries will be provided to support artists in creating new work and further enhancing their skills. Participants will learn directly from inspiring artists, mentors, projects and events. REFLECTOR will amplify and platform work as well as being a unique opportunity to learn and develop new skills. Participants will also receive support in developing CVs, statements, portfolios and creating new work for exhibition.

Up to 20 participants will be recruited to take part in the 10-month programme. All will be awarded a £1000 bursary to support their involvement.  

Deadline: Sunday 9 October 2023 at midnight (GMT).

Find out more and apply here.

Following a successful funding bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund Dynamic Collections fund we are looking to expand the scope of what we do and to recruit some new panel members with an interest in our Collections and in making them accessible to the widest possible audience.

Together we have explored LGBTQ+ lives through our Collections, and our current project looks at Class and Identity. In 2024 we are due to focus on disability, neurodiversity and mental health.

We are looking for local people with a range of lived experiences to help us reflect and represent the people of Walsall with our Collections displays, to select the works they want to see exhibited, and the events they would like to accompany the exhibition programme. Join us to have your say on the Collections you own!

The panel meet roughly monthly, both in-person and online. You can join remotely or attend sessions at the Gallery. It is very flexible, and dates for meetings and events are decided democratically as a group. We are friendly and meetings are informal and welcoming. No knowledge/experience of art necessary! Just bring your own lived experiences! Panel members can choose to remain anonymous, and contribute as little or as much as you like or are able to. A nominal fee is given for attendance at meetings, or for contributions at events etc.

It’s a great way to meet new people from diverse walks of life, have active discussions and do advocacy work on topics important to you, get helpful work experience opportunities, and keep active for wellbeing.

If you are interested in exploring our Collections as part of this co-production project, or to find out more, please get in touch with our Collections Curator, Julie via julie.brown@walsall.gov.uk or by calling 01922 654419 to arrange an informal chat, either in person, over the phone, or online.