- Latest News -
29th September 2025:
Last Chance to Visit
It has been a wonderful few weeks at The Shoosmith Gallery, being a host venue for the Northants & Rutland Open Studios Exhibition 2025. The gallery has been filled with colour, creativity, and inspiring conversations, and we’re so grateful to everyone who has visited so far.
As we head into the final week, there’s still time to enjoy the work of three talented local artists: Cordell Garfield, Michael Leaman, and Dawn Issac. All works on display are available for sale, a perfect chance to take home a piece of original art.
A special highlight this week: Cordell Garfield will be in the gallery on Wednesday, giving a live demonstration of his artistic process, a fantastic opportunity to meet and see an artist at work.
The Shoosmith Gallery
Open Mon to Fri, 10am – 4pm
Final day: Friday 3rd October
Free entry – all welcome.
Don’t miss this chance to be part of what has been a truly special exhibition.
Keep following us to see what we have coming up in October and November!
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.
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.
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.
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.
19th June 2025:
Open Studios Exhibition at The Shoosmith Gallery (September 2025)
We're very happy to announce that as part of the Northants and Rutland Open Studios Festival, a talented group of artists will be exhibiting their work at The Shoosmith Gallery from 1st September - 3rd October.
Northamptonshire artists Cordell Garfield and Michael Leaman, and Stamford's Dawn Isaac will be displaying a selection of their work, including oil paintings, gouache, prints, and ceramics. If you'd like to catch a glimpse of their working process and gain some insight, they will each be available to be met in the gallery on a particular day:
Dawn Isaac - Thursday 4th September
Michael Leaman - Saturday 13th September
Cordell Garfield - Saturday 20th September
The artists' work will be available for purchase, and admission as always is free.
For more information please contact:
Cordell Garfield
Phone: 07944 395792
email: cordellgarfield10@gmail.com
Northants and Rutland Open Studios.
Website: www.nros.co.uk
Email: hello@nros.co.uk
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.
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!
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!
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
