Winter: Sat 29 & Sun 30 November 2025
The Biscuit Factory
T: 0191 261 1103 | E: art@thebiscuitfactory.com |
W: www.thebiscuitfactory.com | Facebook: @thebiscuitfactorynewcastle Instagram: @thebiscuitfactorygallery
Visit The Biscuit Factory to explore two floors of art and craft in our gallery, meet talented local artists in the studios below, and immerse yourself in live demonstrations and activities.
Over the weekend we’re welcoming a trio of artists who will be sharing their processes and practices via exclusive artist talks and demonstrations. There will be a free activity for those who want to enjoy a few minutes of mindful creativity, and – as always – original art, Forum Books’ independent bookstore, and much more to discover within our walls.
Beatrice Forshall: Exhibition Opening & Artist Talk
Saturday 29 November
11am – 11.45am
To celebrate the opening of her exhibition; a collection of over 20 hand-coloured engravings of endangered species, flora and fauna, join Beatrice Forshall as she talks about her creative process, the wildlife that inspires her work and her conservation projects. Signed copies of her book ‘The Book of Vanishing Species’ will be available to purchase.
Origami Birds
Saturday 29 November
11am – 1pm
Inspired by Beatrice Forshall’s exhibition, we invite you to have fun with a self-guided origami bird activity in the Gallery. No booking required, simply drop by and follow the guides to create your own paper bird to take home with you.
Paula Dunn – Painting the Weather
Saturday 29 November
1.30 – 4pm
To celebrate the launch of her new book Atmospheric Landscapes: Using Oils and Cold Wax, Paula will be appearing at Ouseburn Open Studios for a special book signing and live demonstration. Visitors will have the opportunity to meet Paula, one of the UK’s leading contemporary landscape artists, watch her at work with oils and cold wax, and gain a unique insight into the layered techniques and intuitive process that make her artwork so distinctive.
1:30 & 3pm Demonstration on using oils and cold wax to create simple atmospheric landscapes.
2.15 & 3.45pm Book signing
Michael Disley Artist Talk
Sunday 30 November
11am – 11.45am
In conjunction with his headline exhibition, join Mike Disley to hear more about his illustrious career to date. From stone masonry, to public art installations, quarry sculpting to his more recent creative practice of painting. Find out how Mike approaches his craft and the life lessons he has learnt along the way in his forty-year career.
Talks are free to attend but we kindly ask you to register your attendance via https://www.thebiscuitfactory.com/pages/whats-on
Artist Studios
Beneath the gallery, discover the studios of working artists, designers and creatives. Venture through welcoming doorways and see craftspeople at work, find out about their practices and processes, and find your next piece of original art handmade here in Newcastle.
Studios can be accessed via the ground floor entrance of The Biscuit Factory gallery, and our lift.
Exhibitions
Amongst the many collections on display you will find:
Michael Disley: Quarry
14 November – 28 February
Stonemason, draftsman, sculptor, public artist and painter Michael Disley culminates over 40 years experience for this his first formal exhibition of sculptures and paintings.
With a foundation in heritage masonry skills, Michael’s career has embraced new ways of working with ancient stones. From his childlike whimsical figures to classically formal trees, his clean graphic paintings to his intricate carvings, Michael’s physical and philosophical connection to his work speaks to a practice of enduring observation and craftsmanship and a limitless pursuit for the truth in the human experience.
Beatrice Forshall
29 November – 28 February
Beatrice Forshall is a printmaker whose dry-point engravings draw upon the natural world, and particularly conservation. Having worked with a host of frontline conservation organisations over her career, Beatrice’s passion for ecology is reflected in her process and materials. A long creative process featuring engraving, printing and finishing by hand, results in refined pieces that capture the beauty and the fragility of wildlife she advocates for.
Beatrice is a published author; her book The Vanishing Species received critical acclaim from conservationists, ecologists and arts commentators, and her work is part of the permanent collection at Cambridge Conservation Initiative’s home – The David Attenborough building.
