Southampton Art Galleries City Art Gallery Millais The Guildhall

Bargate Monument Gallery

The iconic 800 year old Bargate Monument has been refurbished to house a contemporary art gallery. Exhibitions are organised by "A Space" who aim to build a network of venues and projects to showcase visual arts from up and coming artists.

The Bargate Gallery forms part of the Arts Vaults project where a whole host of visual arts are presented across the city in hidden medieval vaults and structures underneath Southampton. You can view them through self guided walks by picking up a map from the Bargate Monument. Alternatively book yourself onto a guided walk with a local historian or the project's curator for a more in depth look at the art and the historic settings. To reserve your free space call 023 8033 8778 or email: info@aspacearts.org for details.

Admission is free to the Gallery and is open to the public on Wednesdays to Fridays at 11am-6pm and Saturdays and Sundays 12-5pm. The Arts Vaults are only open between 12-4pm at weekends with tours running from July to September on Sundays.

The Bargate Monument Gallery, The Bargate, High Street, Southampton SO14 7HF. Tel: 023 8033 8778.

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City Art Gallery & The Guildhall

The City Art Gallery is the jewel in Southampton's art crown. It's housed in 1930s Civic Building, the Guildhall, along with the city library and houses a collection covering six centuries of European art history. The light and airy galleries flow into one another with themed collections of art including paintings and sculpture from Monet to Gormley; from Renaissance to cutting edge modern art. Themed exhibitions regularly change and are beautifully presented in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. Alongside the public exhibitions, the Gallery runs a whole host of events including educational events opening up art to all ages and special family friendly events where the youngsters can have a go at creating their own masterpiece. Check the weblink right for up-to-date information or pick up one of the Exhibitions and Events guides from Tourist Information Centres and galleries.

Admission is free but donations are gratefully accepted. The Gallery is open on Tues-Sat from 10am-5pm and Sundays 1-4pm. Downstairs you can take a breather in the cafe and Gallery Shop. Southampton City Art Gallery Civic Centre, Commercial Road, Southampton, Hampshire. SO14 7LP. Tel: 023 8083 4563. Email: art.gallery@southampton.gov.uk

The Guildhall is also the largest entertainment venue in the south. It has hosted a huge array of world famous chart musicians including David Bowie, Pink Floyd, Manic Street Preachers and The Killers and regularly has a full programme of concerts and events. It's handily located right near the city centre and close to a good choice of bars and restaurants. It also hosts exhibitions, dinner dances or even wedding receptions.

Check out the link right for an up-to-date listing. Southampton Guildhall, Civic Centre, Southampton, SO14 7LY. Tel: 02380 632601.

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Millais Gallery

Within the Southampton Solent University buildings on East Park Terrace is the Millais Gallery. It's a public art gallery specialising in culturally diverse contemporary visual art. The three exhibition spaces showcase a mixture of work by established and breaking artists. The Main Gallery exhibits their work and hosts the shows of the Uni's degree students' work. The Project room highlights emerging artists' works that are based in Southampton and the South East. Lastly there's the Film Foyer where films by contemporary film makers are exhibited.

Opening Times: Monday 1pm-5pm. Tuesday/Wednesday/Friday 10am-5pm. Thursday 10am-7pm. Saturday 12pm-4pm. Sunday Closed.

Millais Gallery, Southampton Solent University, East Park Terrace, Southampton SO14 0YN. Tel: 023 8031 9916. Fax: 023 8033 4161. Email: millais.gallery@solent.ac.uk

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John Hansard Gallery

Another public art gallery amongst university buildings is the John Hansard Gallery on the University of Southampton's Highfield Campus. It lies next to Southampton Common, north of the city centre. Check the link right for maps and directions how to reach the gallery.

The gallery promotes contemporary art with a range of changing exhibitions throughout the year. There's a bookshop with a range of books covering art history, art theory, architecture and design, film and cultural studies.

Admission is free. Opening hours: Tues-Fri 11am-5pm. Sat 11am-4pm.

John Hansard Gallery, University of Southampton, Highfield, Southampton SO17 1BJ. Tel: 023 8059 2158. Fax: 023 8059 4192. Email: info@hansardgallery.org.uk.

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Spice Art Studios

Spice Art Studios over the water in Bitterne is a contemporary art complex including an art gallery and workshops for local artists and for hosting a range of art classes.

The gallery exhibits work from some of the county s leading artists using a range of media from paintings, print, photography, sculpture ceramics, jewellery and textiles. Works from national and internationally renowned artists are also featured in exhibitions.

The Studios are open Tues-Sat 10am-6pm.

Spice Art Studios, 16 Manor Farm Road, Bitterne Park, Southampton, SO18 1NP. Tel: 023 80 011 011. Email: email@spiceartstudios.co.uk

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