The Southampton City Art Gallery is a prestigious treasure trove of works spanning eight centuries. Its strong point is 20th-century and contemporary British art. The gallery’s eclectic 3,500-piece collection ranges from traditional genres like painting and sculpture to more modern techniques such as film and photography. There are art clubs and educational workshops available at the site.
The gallery’s primary focus is on Western art and houses works by esteemed post-impressionist, surrealist and post-1970s artists. The permanent collection includes art from Turner, Monet and Renoir. Browse the Perseus series, by Sir Edward Coley Burne-Jones, which recounts stories based on Greek myths. Enjoy works by the Camden Town Group, a famous faction of post-impressionist artists who were active at the beginning of the 20th century. Peruse the temporary and touring exhibitions, which often include works by the masters of the classic and modern movements.
Join a drawing class, listen to artists talk about their work or attend talks on interesting subjects such as philosophy. Take a tour behind the scenes of the gallery’s conservation studio to learn how works of art are restored and preserved. If you’re visiting with kids, they’ll love the art club which hosts activities like story telling, animation and clay making.
Make sure to take a look around the gallery’s shop for interesting art books, prints and work by local artisans. It is open Monday through Saturday from morning until early afternoon. It stays open a little later on Saturdays and admission is always free.
The Southampton City Art Gallery is located in the Civic Centre, next to Watts Park, East Park and Palmerston Park in the center of Southampton. The Mayflower Theatre, Marlands Shopping Centre and SeaCity Museum are in close proximity. The nearest train station is Southampton Central Railway Station and buses stop nearby.
