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Eight events to captivate and inspire this month and beyond
Tideswell Open Arts: The Show Will Go On
The Tideswell artists first participated in the Derbyshire Open Arts in 2024 and were bowled over by their success. Last year saw an even larger footfall and fantastic feedback from visitors.
The group were preparing for the 2026 show when they heard the event was cancelled. Undaunted, they’ll exhibit their work anyway.
Taking place at St John’s Institute, a Grade II-listed building behind the Church of St John the Baptist (the Cathedral of the Peak), the event runs on May 23 and 24.
The 2026 Tideswell Open Arts group is broad in scope and rich in talent, with money also being raised for Friends of St John the Baptist and St John’s Institute to fund essential works on these beautiful buildings.
Rex Preston solo exhibition
Bath’s Red Rag Gallery is set to present a new collection of oil paintings by acclaimed Derbyshire artist Rex Preston, from May 9-23.
This solo exhibition is the culmination of 18 months of work, capturing the drama, tranquillity, and shifting moods of the landscape with the distinctive style that has made him one of the country’s most admired contemporary painters.
Known for his expressive brushwork and instinctive use of colour, Preston brings the countryside to life with a sense of immediacy and atmosphere that feels both timeless and deeply personal. Rex will be in the gallery May 9, giving collectors and admirers a rare opportunity to meet the artist. If you’re near Bath, why not pop along to support this Derbyshire artist. rexpreston.com/exhibitions
Peak District Artisans Spring Arts Trail
The Spring Arts Trail returns over the May Bank Holiday (May 23-25), offering a vibrant showcase of creativity across the Peak District.
Organised by PDA following the cancellation of Derbyshire Open Arts, this three-day event brings together 29 artisans across 12 venues, from farms and village halls to galleries and churches.
Visitors can explore a rich mix of fine art, ceramics, glass, textiles, jewellery and more, with dedicated group exhibitions at Beechenhill Farm, near Ilam, and Hopton Hall Gallery, in Ashbourne. With most venues open 10am–4/5pm, it’s a relaxed, inspiring way to discover local talent. peakdistrictartisans.co.uk/spring-arts-trail
Lynne Wilkinson’s year in exhibitions
Award-winning Derbyshire artist Lynne Wilkinson has a busy programme of exhibitions and events lined up across the region this year.
Alongside appearances at major shows and art fairs, visitors can enjoy more intimate studio openings, where her latest paintings and prints are available to view and buy directly.
Her much-loved floral and animal subjects, inspired by the surrounding Peak District landscape, remain central to her practice. Notably, her striking Show Hydrangeas was a winning painting at the SAA Artist of the Year.
Between May 24-26, Lynne will be exhibiting at Derbyshire Open Art at Coal Aston, before heading to Renishaw Hall in June. lynnewilkinson.co.uk
The Triumph of Neptune at Renishaw Hall
In the year of its 70th anniversary, Pollock’s Toy Museum is partnering with Renishaw Hall – historic home of the Sitwell family – to celebrate the centenary of a remarkable but long-forgotten Serge Diaghilev ballet with a scenario by Sacheverell Sitwell.
The Triumph of Neptune premiered in London in 1926 to instant acclaim, inspired by a visit by Sitwell and impresario Diaghilev to Benjamin Pollock’s London shop, which sold traditional hand-coloured prints for toy theatres.
Included with entry to Renishaw Hall’s beautiful gardens, The Triumph of Neptune: Diaghilev, Lord Berners and Sacheverell Sitwell features original toy theatres and archive photography, music by Gerald Berners and spectacular Diaghilev costumes. Letters from the Renishaw Hall archive, never previously exhibited, add further detail to this enchanting story. pollockstoymuseum.co.uk/ renishaw-hall.co.uk
ArtStand exhibition
Between 10am-4pm on June 13-14, the ArtStand Group of talented artists and artisans, from Crich and Whatstandwell, will be exhibiting their unique, high-quality pieces of work in Bakewell Town Hall.
There will be 10 professional exhibitors, each bringing a varied selection of their latest work for sale, including exquisite watercolours, landscapes, photography, textile art, wood turning, delicate tree sculptures and ceramics. Admission is free.
There are plenty of car parks around the town and the town hall has disabled access.
art-stand.mailchimpsites.com
Burning Bright exhibition
The Pollyanna Pickering Foundation is proud to present an exhibition of artwork by Pollyanna, showcasing paintings inspired by her enduring love of – and fascination with – tigers. It takes place at The Gallery, Brookvale House, Oaker, Matlock, between 10am-6pm from June 20-28. Pollyanna’s daughter Anna-Louise will be in the gallery throughout and will be happy to chat to visitors about the artwork on display.
A minimum of 10 per cent of all sales throughout the exhibition will be donated to worldwide conservation projects through the Pollyanna Pickering Foundation.Previously unseen paintings and sketches will be on display, alongside artwork featuring the wildlife which shares the tiger’s habitat. Two new limited edition prints will also be launched. pollyannapickering.co.uk/events
Queen’s Reading Room Festival
The Queen’s Reading Room Festival will return to Chatsworth on September 19-20, the second year the festival has taken place there.
This year’s broad programme brings together an outstanding line-up of authors for a celebration of books and ideas, promising up-close moments with writers, and the chance to hear some of today’s most compelling voices. The 2026 festival celebrates five years since Her Majesty Queen Camilla launched an Instagram book club during lockdown, which has grown into a global charity, reaching audiences in more than 180 countries.
Festival passes also include entry to Chatsworth House, and its new exhibition, House of Stories: Tales from the Chatsworth Library. chatsworth.org
Arts in Derbyshire
Photo: Pollyanna Pickering Foundation
Photo: Jonathan Amos
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