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Penned and Printed

An exhibition of our Archives and Special Collections, telling hidden stories from the shelves and strongrooms. (Please note, access to this exhibition will be affected by the upcoming Palace Green Library closure dates.)

27 May 2023 - 31 March 2025

Palace Green Library

  • Exhibition

Student Art Prize 2023/34: Paradise

Visit the Student Art Prize 2023/24 exhibition and explore this years theme of Paradise.

01 May 2024 - 31 March 2025

10:00 AM - 4:00 AM

Palatine Center Stockton Rd, Durham DH1 3LE

  • Creative
  • Library and Collections

Under Durham: The Untold Stories

When you think about the history of Durham, what comes to mind? Beautiful architecture, rich and powerful people and the history you find in textbooks. But how often do we stop and think about the lives of ordinary people? This exhibition explores the past of Durham through the ordinary people who lived and worked here.

24 May 2024 - 21 November 2024

10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Museum of Archaeology, Palace Green Library, Palace Green, Durham DH1 3RN

  • Exhibition

Repair and Care: The Norman Chapel Project

Have you ever looked at an ancient castle and wondered how it’s still standing? This exhibition will explore the history of construction and building conservation at Durham Castle, with a particular focus on the Norman Chapel Project, a long-term endeavour to preserve the oldest free-standing building in Durham.

24 May 2024 - 17 November 2024

10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Durham Castle, Palace Green, Durham, DH1 3RW

  • Exhibition

Strike! Art Collective

STRIKE is a new women-led public art collective in County Durham. Together they use public art to take up space without apology, saying farewell to the many ‘sorrys’ of the women who walked before them.

28 June 2024 - 14 November 2024

Outdoor Art Gallery Outside the Bill Bryson Library Stockton Rd, Durham DH1 3LY

  • Creative
  • Library and Collections

Knitted together: the Korean lives and legacies of Richard and Joan Rutt

Drawing on the objects and photographs of the main donors to the Korean collection at the Oriental Museum, Knitted Together details Richard and Joan Rutt’s 20 years living in South Korea in the immediate aftermath of the Korean War (1950 – 1953).

28 September 2024 - 04 May 2025

10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Oriental Museum, Elvet Hill, Durham, DH1 3TH

  • Creative
  • Exhibition
  • Exhibitions
  • Public
  • Family friendly

Feathers and the Feminine

The Feathers and the Feminine installation was created by members of Interface Arts in memory of their friend Carolyn Corfield, who passed away last year. A creative and dynamic member of the Durham based group, Carolyn primarily produced sculptural ceramics, some of which are on display as part of the installation.

04 October 2024 - 23 February 2025

10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Oriental Museum

  • Exhibition

Explore Gel printing workshop, 7 Owengate

Explore the dynamic universe of gel plate printing in this hands-on workshop with local North East mixed media artist Sarah Calavera!

06 November 2024

4:00 PM - 6:00 PM

7 Owengate Durham DH1 3HB

  • Creative

Rivers Within: Clay vessels with Ruth Flowers

In this two-part workshop create your own clay vessel inspired by symbolism from local folklore legend ‘The Lambton Worm’.

08 November 2024

5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

7 Owengate Durham DH1 3HB

  • Creative

Flowerfulness

Boost your overall wellbeing with Flowerfulness with Sue Elsdon in the Glasshouse.

09 November 2024

12:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Botanic Garden

  • Creative

Fab Fishes

Come along and make a fab fishy collage inspired by a tiny boat in the Silk Roads Gallery.

09 November 2024

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Oriental Museum

  • Family friendly

Christmas Crafting Workshop

Make a hand-stitched bird key ring to grace your Christmas tree or give as a gift.

09 November 2024

2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Oriental Museum

  • Creative
  • Public
  • Workshop

Durham Art Collective

A youth group for 12-18 year olds to learn practical art skills.

13 November 2024

3:30 PM - 4:30 PM

7 Owengate Durham DH1 3HB

  • Creative
  • Library and Collections

The Archaeology of Waterways Nautical Archaeology Society Annual Conference

The two-day conference in Durham has been organised in partnership with Durham University including the Museum of Archaeology, the Finds Research Group, and the Architectural and Archaeological Society of Durham and Northumberland will be themed around the Archaeology of Waterways. Presentations will include topics from all over the world and from around the UK about archaeological research and investigations of the ancient and historic waterways.

16 November 2024 - 18 November 2024

9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Teaching and Learning Centre (TLC) South Road  Durham DH1 3LS

  • Outreach & community
  • Public
  • Talks, training, seminars & conferences

To the moon!

Find out about the beautiful Korean moon jar with our new audio guide and make a moon garland to hang up.

16 November 2024

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Oriental Museum

  • Family friendly

Rivers Within: Clay vessels with Ruth Flowers

In this two-part workshop create your own clay vessel inspired by symbolism from local folklore legend ‘The Lambton Worm’.

19 November 2024

5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

7 Owengate Durham DH1 3HB

  • Creative

Explore Cyanotype workshop

Using UV lights to make cyanotypes- drawing with light with Student Art Prize, Artist in Residence, Sarah Calavera.

20 November 2024

4:00 PM - 6:01 PM

7 Owengate Durham DH1 3HB

  • Creative

Discover Anubis

Learn all about Anubis, the Ancient Egyptian god of the underworld and make your own Anubis mask.

23 November 2024

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Oriental Museum

  • Family friendly

Twilight Talk: From function to form - medieval seals within Durham Cathedral Archive

Join us for an enlightening talk on the evolution of medieval seals.

28 November 2024

5:30 PM - 6:30 PM

7 Owengate Durham DH1 3HB

  • Lecture
  • Outreach & community
  • Public
  • Talks, training, seminars & conferences

Festive Wreath Making Workshop

Join Sue Elsdon in the Glasshouse for a festive wreath making workshop. 

30 November 2024

12:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Botanic Garden

  • Creative

Paper Sculpting Workshop

Find out about Japanese bento boxes and create your own paper sushi, chopsticks and more!

30 November 2024

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Oriental Museum

  • Family friendly

Festive Flower Demonstration

Join Sue Elsdon in the Glasshouse for a festive flower demonstration. 

01 December 2024

12:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Botanic Garden

  • Creative

The Tatreez Forest: Stitching Palestinian Heritage

Everyone is welcome to this hands-on workshop exploring Palestinian textile heritage.

01 December 2024

12:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Oriental Museum

  • Workshop

Explore Image Transfer workshop

Join Mixed Media Artist Sarah Calavera for an exciting hands-on workshop and discover the magic of laser print image transfers!

04 December 2024

4:00 PM - 6:00 PM

7 Owengate Durham DH1 3HB

  • Creative

Lovely Lions

Spot the magnificent Chinese lion on display and make your own roar-some lion puppet.

07 December 2024

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Oriental Museum

  • Family friendly

Saturnalia Trail

Explore the ancient Roman festival of Saturnalia.

09 December 2024 - 06 January 2025

10:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Museum of Archaeology

  • Family friendly

Friends of the Oriental Museum: International Projects Update

Oriental Museum: International projects update Gill Ramsay, Assistant Curator, Oriental Museum

11 December 2024

6:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Online: Zoom

  • Talks, training, seminars & conferences

Cool Coral

Check out an intriguing sculpture called Coral Eye and make your own coral-inspired seascape.

14 December 2024

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Oriental Museum

  • Family friendly

Countdown to Christmas Craft Worksop

Find out how Christmas is celebrated around the world and decorate ceramic Christmas decorations to take home.

21 December 2024

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Oriental Museum

  • Family friendly

Flaming Flies

Find out why the bravest Ancient Egyptians were award a golden fly and make your own.

04 January 2025

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Oriental Museum

  • Family friendly

Selfie Art

Spot the Selfie Queen sculpture in our South Asian Gallery and make some funky selfie art.

11 January 2025

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Oriental Museum

  • Family friendly

Winter Wonderland

Did you know that plum blossom is a symbol of winter in Chinese culture? Find out about this special flower and make a snowy plum blossom wreath.

18 January 2025

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Oriental Museum

  • Family friendly

Meet the Art Collection: Light

Join us for an up-close viewing of the Art Collection inspired by this years Student Art Prize theme of light.

22 January 2025

2:30 PM - 4:00 PM

5 the College Durham DH1 3EQ

  • Creative

Elevate Gel printing Workshop

Take your gel printing skills to the next level in this exciting 2-hour workshop with our local Artist in Residency, Sarah Calavera!

22 January 2025

4:00 PM - 6:00 PM

7 Owengate Durham DH1 3HB

  • Creative

Islamic Art Workshop

Chat to members of Durham University Islamic Society and try making your own Islamic-inspired geometric artwork.

25 January 2025

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Oriental Museum

  • Family friendly

Weaving Workshop

Check out the intricate patterns on the baskets on display and weave your own woollen flower.

01 February 2025

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Oriental Museum

  • Family friendly

Focus Artist in Residency Talk with Sarah Calavera

Join Student Art Prize Artist in Residency, Sarah Calavera for a talk about her practice and residency.

05 February 2025

4:00 PM - 6:00 PM

7 Owengate Durham DH1 3HB

  • Creative

Crowd Craft: Lantern Festival

Get ready for the Lunar New Year Lantern Festival and make tissue paper lantern to decorate the museum.

08 February 2025

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Oriental Museum

  • Family friendly

Lantern Festival

Our annual Lantern Festival at the Oriental Museum celebrates the beginning of the new lunar year.

12 February 2025

6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Oriental Museum

  • Family friendly

Cool Cats

Explore our new exhibition about man who loved cats and make a super cute cat puppet.

15 February 2025

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Oriental Museum

  • Family friendly

Knock Knock ... Who's There?

Ever wondered about the huge door at the Oriental Museum? Make your own mysterious 3D doorway...

22 February 2025

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Oriental Museum

  • Family friendly

Ancient Egyptian Sculpture Workshop

Try out our new audio guide and find out about an ancient Egyptian man called Paser. Then create your own Paser clay statue.

26 February 2025

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Oriental Museum

  • Family friendly

Artist Scavenger Hunt

Explore the museum after hours in this alternative museum scavenger hunt with the Art Collection.

26 February 2025

5:30 PM - 7:00 PM

Oriental Museum Elvet Hill Durham DH1 3TH

  • Creative

Make a Monoprint

Be prepared to get messy and make your own monoprint artwork.

28 February 2025

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Oriental Museum

  • Family friendly

Crazy Creatures

Get interactive with the Crazy Creatures visiting the Garden for the day.

01 March 2025

10:30 AM - 4:00 PM

Botanic Garden

  • Family friendly

Celebrate Hina Matsuri

See a traditional set of Japanese Hina Matsuri dolls - only displayed for a short time each year in the run up the Hina Matsuri - and create your own Emperor or Empress doll to take home.

01 March 2025

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Oriental Museum

  • Family friendly

Marie Curie - Day of Reflection Event

Come along to the Botanic Garden to share the Day of Reflection with us.

02 March 2025

10:30 AM - 4:00 PM

Botanic Garden

  • Family friendly

Fire and Bone

Find out about Chinese oracle bones and write a secret message using ancient symbols.

08 March 2025

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Oriental Museum

  • Family friendly

Holi Festival

Welcome the spring season to Durham with Holi Festival!

15 March 2025

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Oriental Museum

  • Festival

The Ancient Persians

Learn about the Ancient Persians, spot a 2500 year old silver bowl and try simple foil embossing.

22 March 2025

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Oriental Museum

  • Family friendly

Make a Canopic Jar

Find out about Ancient Egyptian mummification and make your own canopic jar.

29 March 2025

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Oriental Museum

  • Family friendly

Meet the Art Collection: Local Artists

Join us for a special viewing of the Art Collection. See a selection of works by contemporary artists working in the North East.

02 April 2025

2:30 PM - 4:00 PM

5 the College Durham DH1 3EQ

  • Creative

Crazy Creatures

Get interactive with the Crazy Creatures visiting the Garden for the day.

24 April 2025

10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Botanic Garden

  • Family friendly

Crazy Creatures

Get interactive with the Crazy Creatures visiting the Garden for the day.

14 August 2025

10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Botanic Garden

  • Family friendly

Crazy Creatures

Get interactive with the Crazy Creatures visiting the Garden for the day.

25 October 2025

10:30 AM - 4:00 PM

Botanic Garden

  • Family friendly