- Latest News -
Posted 9th January 2026:
Thank You to the National Trust Association
We would like to extend our sincere thanks to the National Trust Association for inviting The Shoosmith Gallery to deliver a talk about the gallery and the Shoosmith family artistic legacy to their Northamptonshire members on Tuesday 6th January. Our particular thanks go to Linda Davitt for the invitation, and to all the members for such a warm welcome and generous hospitality. It was a pleasure to share the story of the Shoosmith family and their work, and we very much look forward to welcoming National Trust Association members to the gallery in the future.
Posted 21st December 2025:
Merry Christmas from The Shoosmith Gallery
As we come to the end of the year, we want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has supported us throughout 2025.
Thank you to all who have visited the gallery, exhibited with us, donated, made a purchase, or attended our talks and events. Every visit, conversation and contribution helps us continue our charitable work, promoting art, education, creativity and wellbeing, and we are deeply grateful for your ongoing support.
A special thank you to Delapré Abbey, Socci Art Consultancy, and Cobalt Blue Design for their invaluable input and support.
We are already busy planning an exciting programme for 2026, with exhibitions, collaborations and community projects ahead, so please stay tuned for announcements in the New Year.
Wishing you all a peaceful and joyful Christmas and a very happy New Year from all at The Shoosmith Gallery.
The gallery will be closed during the Christmas period, reopening on Tuesday 6th January.
Posted 26th November 2025:
Thank you to everyone who attended Michael’s 'Meet the Artist' Day on Saturday
You made it a truly lovely day!
Hosting this event during the wonderful Delapré Abbey Christmas Fair made it even more special, with so many visitors coming through, not to mention the very cute alpacas right outside the gallery too! We were delighted to welcome members of the Alfred East Gallery team, Northampton Arts Society, fellow artists, our regular supporters, and the many families who enjoyed exploring the gallery and the art together. Your support made the day memorable, thank you!
Posted 19th November 2025:
Visit from Huaicun Zhang Hon RBA
We were honoured to host Huaicun Zhang Hon RBA, renowned artist, author, philanthropist, and proud sponsor of the Royal Society of British Artists, at The Shoosmith Gallery on Saturday. Huaicun enjoyed a private viewing of Michael Harrison's captivating collection, engaging in inspiring conversations about art and creativity.
A heartfelt thank you to Huaicun for her support and presence. We're grateful for her ongoing contributions to the arts and culture community.
Michael's exhibition will run until 28th November, with a 'meet the artist' session on Saturday 22nd November.
Entry is free and all are welcome.
Pictured: Michael Harrison PRBA, Huaican Zhang Hon RBA, Bushra Hamid - The Shoosmith Gallery Chair of Trustees
16th September 2025:
A Heartfelt Thank You for Donating Shoosmith Paintings
We would like to warmly thank Claire Geneen for making the journey from Berkshire to The Shoosmith Gallery on Thursday to donate two Shoosmith paintings that had remained at her home since being gifted by her parents.
As the daughter of Lionel Harrison, granddaughter of Frank Harrison, and sister of Richard Harrison, Claire is part of a family central to the story of 'The Firm'. We are truly delighted and grateful that she has chosen The Shoosmith Gallery as a safe and fitting home for these treasured artworks.
Posted 10th September 2025:
NROS Central Exhibition Launch Event
The Shoosmith Gallery was delighted to attend the Northants & Rutland Open Studios Central Exhibition launch event at Lamport Hall on Friday.
It was an absolute pleasure to bump into Liz from 78 Derngate and connect with the fantastic team from the Alfred East Gallery.
Events like this remind us of the outstanding artistic talent we’re so fortunate to have across the two counties, and the importance of celebrating and supporting it together.
Well done to Katie Boyce and the amazing NROS team for bringing it all together so beautifully!
We’re especially excited that this is our first year as a host venue for the NROS and we look forward to welcoming visitors to experience the incredible creativity on display.
Visit us Monday to Saturday, 10am–4pm, until 3rd October at Delapré Abbey.
Posted 5th August 2025:
A Delightful Visit from John Thorpe OBE and Sue Thorpe
What a lovely surprise it was to welcome John Thorpe OBE and his wife Sue to The Shoosmith Gallery recently.
John - a retired senior partner of Shoosmiths and Harrison - holds a significant place in our story, and is featured in 'The Firm' section of our website. It was a pleasure to show John and Sue around the gallery and share updates about our growing collection, forthcoming events and charitable aims. Their visit was not only a moment of connection with the past, but also a heartening reminder of the ongoing support and interest from those who have helped shape the Shoosmiths name, and we look forward to welcoming them again in the near future.
Posted 11th July 2025:
The Arts Society Northamptonshire visits The Shoosmith Gallery
On the evening of Wednesday 9th July, we were delighted to welcome members of the Arts Society Northamptonshire to The Shoosmith Gallery for a captivating new presentation on the life and work of Thurston Laidlaw Shoosmith, along with a fascinating guided tour on the history of Delapré Abbey.
Drinks and canapés were served while our guests immersed themselves in the rich local heritage.
The event was a wonderful celebration of art and history, warmly received by all who attended.
Posted 2nd April 2025:
The Shoosmith Gallery Re-opens on 14th April 2025
After months of renovation, The Shoosmith Gallery will soon re-open to the public in its beautiful new gallery space (formerly the Common Ground café) at Delapré Abbey, Northampton.
The gallery now has its own front door, and the additional space allows many more works from the talented Shoosmith family to be displayed.
The new opening hours will be:
Monday - Friday,
10:00am - 4:00pm.
Entrance is free as always.
Thank you to all involved for your hard work.
Posted 31st January 2025:
Special Thanks to 'El and Ro Interiors'
The Shoosmith Gallery would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Ellie of 'El and Ro Interiors' for her invaluable help in sourcing the perfect paint for our new gallery space. Her expert advice and dedication went above and beyond, ensuring we secured the best quality paint at the best price.
For anyone seeking exceptional interior design services, we highly recommend El and Ro Interiors. Thank you, Ellie, for your support!
Posted 16th January 2025:
The Shoosmith Gallery to relocate within Delapré Abbey
The Shoosmith Gallery is thrilled to be moving into a new space within Delapré Abbey and reopening its doors to the public with a stunning collection of watercolor paintings from the talented Northampton family of artists.
Stay tuned for updates on our website and follow us on social media for the latest details on our grand reopening in Spring 2025. We can’t wait to welcome you!
Posted 15th January 2025:
Northamptonshire Art Society Hosts Shoosmith Gallery Lecture
This evening, The Shoosmith Gallery was honored to deliver a special lecture on Shoosmith artists at The Cripps Theatre, following an invitation from the Northamptonshire Arts Society (NAS).
We extend our heartfelt thanks to Loredana Harley - Programme Organiser, and Ruth Corby - Vice Chair, for their warm hospitality.
The enthusiastic response and support from NAS members has been truly uplifting, and we are excited to welcome you to our new gallery when it opens in Spring 2025.
Posted 28th June 2024:
Successful 3-day exhibition at the RWS
Our exhibition at the Royal Watercolour Society was visited by artists, tourists, as well as representatives and staff of art galleries and institutions.
The collection of art by Thurston Laidlaw Shoosmith on display, both surprised and delighted visitors, who were unaware of the artist's significant inventory of watercolours, or the sheer artistic quality of his paintings.
It was quite evident from the reaction of most people attending the exhibition, that these paintings by a self-taught artist of the Victorian era, were quite remarkable and deserve to be recognised and appreciated today.
Posted 14th March 2024:
Public Exhibition Announcement - 'T. L. Shoosmith: An Artist for All Seasons'
This exhibition of sixty paintings at the RWS, is the first held in London within living memory, curated from paintings held by the Shoosmith Gallery and the Northampton Museum and Art Gallery.
Friday 14th - Sunday 16th June 2024
11am - 5pm
RWS Gallery
3-5 Whitcomb Street
London, WC2H 7HA
Posted 11th March 2024:
Michael Harrison, our Patron, elected President of Royal Society of British Artists
The Shoosmith Gallery is delighted to announce that Michael Harrison, The Gallery’s Patron, has been elected President of Royal Society of British Artists.
The Society was founded in 1823, and past members include Sickert, Whistler, Brangwyn, Lowry, and in more recent times Seago.
Sir Alfred East was President in 1915.
In 1919, T L Shoosmith was elected a member. 100 years later, Michael received the coveted accolade.
Michael takes over the presidency in June for a five year term of office.
Posted 24th February 2023:
Michael Ellis KC MP visits The Shoosmith Gallery
On Friday 24th February, Michael Ellis KC MP visited the Shoosmith Gallery at Delapré Abbey and met members of the Board of Trustees of the gallery, the Patron and other stakeholders.
The gallery celebrates the life and work of Northampton artist, Thurston Laidlaw Shoosmith (1865-1933), as well as his siblings and his father William Shoosmith.
Third from right: Michael Ellis KC MP, with... leftmost: Michael Harrison RBA (Patron of Shoosmith Gallery), third from left: Bushra Hamid (Chair of Board of Trustees, Shoosmith Gallery), second from right: Richard Clinton (Chief Executive, Delapre Abbey), rightmost: Clare Clarke (Chief Executive, Shoosmith Gallery).
Thurston Shoosmith was an accomplished watercolourist who produced a number of intricate landscape paintings depicting late 19th and early 20th century Northampton, as well as other areas of Europe, including France and Germany. The Shoosmith family has made an exemplary contribution to Northampton’s civic life.
Michael’s visit involved meeting those who manage the Gallery, viewing the impressive collection of watercolours, and hearing about the work and life of the Shoosmith family. It was followed by a tour of the facilities at Delapré Abbey by Richard Clinton, the Abbey’s Chief Executive.
Michael said, “I greatly enjoyed my visit and, as a former Minister for the Arts in the Government, I was delighted to show my support for Northampton-based arts and all those involved in preserving and celebrating our cultural heritage.”
A copy of the book ‘Thurston Laidlaw Shoosmith – A Reappraisal’ about the life of the artist and the Shoosmith family (authored by George Butlin) was presented as a gift to Michael Ellis KC MP to remember his visit, by the Patron of the Shoosmith Gallery.
