A Festive Season begins at Hopton Hall Gallery in November

Exhibition News
As the nights draw in and the year comes to a close, Hopton Hall Gallery is preparing for a busy and exciting festive season, with exhibitions, pop-up events, workshops and opportunities to discover work by artists and makers from across the region and beyond.
 
From contemporary painting and ceramics to jewellery, textiles and seasonal crafts, our programme offers plenty of opportunities to visit the gallery, meet makers and find something special for yourself or someone else this Christmas.
 
November at the Gallery
 
Our autumn programme continues in November with two exhibitions exploring very different approaches to the landscape and the painted image.
 
On the ground floor, we welcome Tim Rose, whose oil and watercolour paintings explore architecture, urban scenes and portraiture. Working primarily from direct observation, Rose is interested in capturing the atmosphere and immediacy of a place or person. His work has been widely exhibited across the UK, including at the Royal Watercolour Society, Royal Institute of Oil Painters and Royal Society of Portrait Painters.
 
Alongside this, Layered Landscapes brings together ten contemporary painters inspired by the Peak District. Bob Bernard, Pete Gill, Carol Hill, John King, Craig Longmuir, Chris Ray, Jill Ray, Victoria Reynolds, Greta Vilidaite and Gina Watkinson explore the region’s changing skies, moorland, stone walls and hedgerows through expressive and atmospheric painting. Three-dimensional work by Kathryn Watson completes the exhibition.
 
Both exhibitions run from 4 - 25 November.
 
We also begin our festive programme with a Watercolour Christmas Card Workshop with Alan Fernihough on 1 November, offering participants the chance to create their own Christmas cards and have them professionally printed with a personalised greeting.
 
Later in the month, on 28 - 29 November, we are delighted to welcome The Cabin of Makers from Belper for a special pop-up weekend. The Cabin is a collective of artists and makers working across printmaking, textiles, woodwork and jewellery. Their Pop Up Shop at Hopton Hall Gallery marks the official start of our festive season.
 
 
From 2 December, the gallery will be filled with Small Winter Works, a seasonal exhibition featuring more than 40 artists from the Hopton Hall Gallery programme.
 
With every work measuring under 40 × 40 cm, this intimate exhibition brings together an eclectic range of all media painting, drawing, collage, textile, and print making. From landscapes and portraits to abstract pieces and city scenes, it is a celebration of the variety and individuality of the artists we represent.
 
Small in scale but full of character, these works offer an accessible way to discover new artists and make particularly special gifts for Christmas. The exhibition runs until 27 January 2027.
 
Ceramics, Jewellery and Festive Making
 
December brings a series of special events to the gallery.
 
From 4 - 6 December, during the Ashbourne Lantern Parade, we welcome a ceramic pop-up from The Round House Gallery, featuring the work of Philip Evans Pottery. The Round House Gallery has been championing British studio ceramics since 1989 and continues to showcase exceptional craft potters from across the UK. We will also be opening late on Friday evening for the lantern parade.
 
On 9 December, artist and tutor Liz Wellby leads a festive workshop exploring metal foil embossing. Participants will create a trio of Christmas decorations using traditional and contemporary designs. The workshop is suitable for all abilities and includes tuition, materials, refreshments and a creative goody bag.
 
The gallery then turns its attention to jewellery with our Winter Jewellery Presentation, 11-13 December. This special three-day event brings together Susannah Brookes Jewellery, Jones Stones and Lizzie Kershaw, offering visitors the opportunity to discover handcrafted, contemporary and one-of-a-kind pieces, meet the makers and find something special for the festive season.
 
 
We round off our Christmas programme with Yuletide in Clay, running from 18-20 December.
 
This three-day celebration of contemporary ceramics features Heather Duncan, Gael Cherry, Ian Patrick Palmer, Dovedale Ceramics and Emande Ceramics, bringing together functional pottery, sculptural vessels and decorative pieces.
 
With expressive glazes, organic forms, tactile surfaces and traditional firing techniques, the exhibition celebrates the individuality and craftsmanship of contemporary ceramic practice. Whether you are looking for a unique Christmas gift or simply enjoy discovering beautifully made objects, Yuletide in Clay is a fitting finale to our festive programme.
 
Visit Hopton Hall Gallery This Christmas
 
With exhibitions changing throughout the season and a programme of special events bringing artists and makers into the gallery, there will be plenty to discover at Hopton Hall Gallery this winter.
We look forward to welcoming familiar faces and new visitors alike, and to celebrating the creativity of the artists and makers who make our gallery programme so special.
 
We hope to see you at Hopton Hall Gallery this festive season.

Overview of Exhibition and Events Listing

Tim Rose Solo Exhibition (November 4 - November 25 10am - 4pm), Ground Floor

Tim Rose is an established oil and watercolour painter whose work explores architecture, urban scenes and portraiture. Working from direct observation, he captures the atmosphere and immediacy of places and people, often painting on site before developing finished works in the studio.

Rose has exhibited widely across the UK, including at the Royal Watercolour Society, Royal Institute of Watercolourists, Royal Institute of Oil Painters and Royal Society of Portrait Painters. His work has also been commissioned and reproduced by major organisations and publishers.

A respected teacher as well as an exhibiting artist, Rose studied at Watford School of Art and Sheffield Polytechnic, graduating with a First Class BA (Hons) in Fine Art. His career includes numerous solo exhibitions and appearances at major national art fairs.

Layered Landscapes (November 4 - November 25 10am - 4pm), Floor 1

Bob Bernard, Pete Gill, Carol Hill, John King, Craig Longmuir, Chris Ray, Jill Ray, Victoria Reynolds, Greta Vilidaite, Gina Watkinson, Kathryn Watson

Inspired by the Peak District, Layered Landscapes brings together contemporary painters whose work explores the region’s distinctive terrain.

From expansive moorland and changing skies to stone walls and hedgerows, the artists offer fresh and personal interpretations of a familiar landscape. Working primarily in oil and acrylic, their expressive use of paint captures the depth, atmosphere and changing moods of the Peak District.

Small Winter Works (Dec 2, 2026 - Jan 27, 2027 10am - 4pm), All Floors

Hopton Hall Gallery Artists

This winter, Hopton Hall Gallery presents a collection of small-scale works by over 40 gallery artists.

Featuring works under 40 × 40 cm, the exhibition celebrates a diverse range of contemporary practice, including textile, acrylic, mixed media, oil, drawing and collage. From landscape and portraiture to abstraction and city life, each work offers an intimate insight into the artists represented by the gallery.

Perfect for collectors and first-time visitors alike, Small Winter Works offers an accessible opportunity to discover exceptional artists and find a special piece for yourself or as a thoughtful seasonal gift.

Paint Your Own Watercolour Christmas Card Workshop with Alan Fernihough, November 1 1:30 - 3:30pm

Create your own watercolour Christmas cards and have them professionally printed with your name and greeting on the front and reverse.

Expert tuition will be provided by Ashbourne Art Class tutor Alan Fernihough.

The Cabin at Ashbourne Pop-up event (November 28 - November 29, 10am - 4pm)

Featuring talented makers from Belper’s popular The Cabin

We are delighted to welcome The Cabin of Makers to Hopton Hall Gallery for a special festive weekend.

Based in Belper, The Cabin is a community of artists and makers showcasing and selling original work across disciplines including printmaking, textiles, woodwork and jewellery. The collective provides a welcoming, supportive space for makers while celebrating the creative community of Belper.

Join us for this exciting pop-up weekend, marking the start of our festive season at Hopton Hall Gallery.

Round House Gallery Ceramic Pop-Up (December 4 10am - 9pm and December 5 10am - 4pm)

Featuring ceramics from Philip Evans 

For three days, during the Ashbourne Lantern Parade, we welcome a ceramic pop-up from our friends at The Round House Gallery in Foston, featuring the work of Philip Evans Pottery.

Established in 1989, The Round House Gallery has built a strong reputation for promoting exceptional British studio ceramics and continues to showcase leading craft potters from across the UK.

Late opening on Friday evening.

Find out more: Round House Gallery

Create a Trio of Christmas Decorations – Explore Metal Foil Embossing with Liz Wellby December 9, 12:30pm - 3:30pm)

Join us for a festive afternoon of making with artist and tutor Liz Wellby.

Explore metal foil embossing to create three unique Christmas decorations, taking inspiration from traditional and contemporary festive designs. Suitable for all abilities, the workshop includes step-by-step tuition, most materials, refreshments and a creative goody bag.

Please bring 1-2 empty tomato purée tubes or similar foil tubes.

12 places £35 per person

Workshops take place on the first floor via steps.

For bookings and further information: enquiries@lizwellby.co.uk

Winter Jewellery Presentation at Hopton Hall Gallery (December 11 - December 13 10am - 4pm)

A special three-day Christmas event showcasing talented local jewellers

Sparkle into the festive season with a special presentation of jewellery from some of the region’s talented makers.

Discover fine jewellery, contemporary designs, handcrafted pieces and one-of-a-kind treasures, with an opportunity to meet the jewellers and learn more about their work.

Perfect for seasonal gifting, collecting or simply finding something special.

Taking part:

Susannah Brookes Jewellery

Jones Stones

Lizzie Kershaw

Plus speacial guests

Yuletide in Clay (December 18 - December 20 10am - 4pm)

A special three-day Christmas event showcasing talented ceramic artists

Celebrate the festive season with Yuletide in Clay, a three-day showcase of contemporary ceramics and handmade pieces.

Featuring work by Heather Duncan, Gael Cherry, Ian Patrick Palmer, Dovedale Ceramics and Emande Ceramics, the event brings together functional ware, sculptural vessels and decorative pieces.

From nature-inspired textures and organic forms to expressive glazes and Raku-fired ceramics, the collection celebrates craftsmanship, individuality and the beauty of handmade work.

Whether searching for a unique Christmas gift or simply discovering contemporary ceramics, Yuletide in Clay offers something special for the festive season.

 

September 30, 2026