What's On: Arts
Event types
Arts
31 upcoming events
Apr 2026
People Watching
Explore over a hundred years of British portraiture with The Ingram Collection and Dorset Museum & Art Gallery.
Sat 18th Apr - All day
and 22 future schedules
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Tor Eigeland: 60 Years Behind the Lens
This exhibition brings together a small collection of Tor's most notable images, capturing some of the pivotal moments and globally significant events of the 20th century through his keen eye and unerring ability to be in the right place at the right time.
Sat 18th Apr - 10am to 4pm
and 33 future schedules
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Art at the Duchess with Magda Malek
Contemporary semi-abstract seascape artist whose work explores the shifting moods and textures of the ocean.
Sat 18th Apr - All day
and 8 future schedules
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Love Poundbury “through your lens”
Photography competition enabling you to capture the spirit of Poundbury through your lens.
Sat 18th Apr - All day
and 8 future schedules
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Visible Women Photographic Exhibition
Photographer Lucy Sewill's Visible Women project showcases portraits of acclaimed women in the acting and entertainment industry including Juliet Stevenson, Dame Harriet Walter, and Dame Meera Syal, demanding greater equality and authentic representation for women. The collection will be on display in Dorset Museum & Art Gallery’s Alice Ellen Cooper Dean Community Space from 7 March to 28 April.
Sat 18th Apr - All day
and 10 future schedules
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Art at PiPs Café
April, May and June brings new Art to PiPs Café
Sat 18th Apr - All day
and 73 future schedules
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Art at Crossroads Café
Local art by local artists at Crossroads Café.
Sat 18th Apr - All day
and 43 future schedules
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90th Anniversary Exhibition: Dorchester Camera Club
Proudly celebrating 90 years!
Sat 18th Apr - 10:00am
and 11 future schedules
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Fused Glass Circle Tealight Workshop
Glass circle tealight Fused Glass Workshop Create a beautiful wave fused glass wall hanging, perfect as a handmade gift or a special piece to display in your home. In this relaxed and friendly session, you’ll design your own glass artwork which will be kiln-fired after the class and ready for collection later. Saturday 18th April ⏰ 1:00–3:00pm 📍 The Crafty Cuppa 💷 £25 per person All materials included. No previous experience needed. ✨ Booking essential as spaces are limited 📧 To book, email: vsmitch1973@gmail.com
Sat 18th Apr - 1:00pm
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Strata | Jeremy Gardiner
The focus of this illustrated talk for World Heritage Day is Strata, a major body of work comprising 100 new paintings by renowned landscape artist Jeremy Gardiner.
Sat 18th Apr - 2:45pm
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Knit and Natter
Bring your knitting, crochet, sewing or any crafty project and join us for a relaxed morning of stitches and chat!
Mon 20th Apr - 10:00am
and 7 future schedules
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Face 2 Face: Exploring the relationship between artist and sitter | Professor Paul Gough
Drawing on examples from the People Watching exhibition, Professor Paul Gough will look at the techniques used by artists, their starting points, the ploys used to capture the essence of a sitter, and the mistakes made along the way.
Thu 23rd Apr - 6:00pm
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Roman Dorchester Tour
Join our trained guides to step back in time and immerse yourself in the historic Roman town of Durnovaria.
Sat 25th Apr - 10:30am
and 11 future schedules
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Art at the Duchess with Jayne Muth and Kevin Smith
This series of paintings focus on my love of tempestuous skies.
Mon 27th Apr - All day
and 13 future schedules
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May 2026
9 to 5 Musical Takeover
Tumblin’ out of bed and stumble to the Square! On Saturday 2nd May, Wessex Musical Theatre brings the high-octane energy of 9 to 5: The Musical to Brewery Square. Between 11am and 1pm, the Square will be transformed into a stage for a series of exclusive live snippets from the hit show. Expect powerhouse vocals, iconic Dolly Parton hits, and enough charisma to make even Mr. Hart crack a smile.
Sat 2nd May - 11:00pm
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Writers in the Alley
Open group for all writers, styles, genres!
Wed 6th May - 7:00pm
and 1 future schedules
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Cold Porcelain Pansey
Join Stacey for 4 hours of creative fun as she shows you all the techniques needed to create your very own pansy
Sat 9th May - 12:00pm
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Art at the Duchess with Lisa Embury
Lisa Embury with her passion for abstract art, mixed media, colours and mark marking!
Mon 11th May - All day during opening hours
and 13 future schedules
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Poetry and Writing Workshop
Unlock Your Creative Voice – Writing Workshop
Wed 13th May - 10:30am
and 4 future schedules
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Store Tour
Join our Collections Team for an opportunity to explore behind the scenes in Dorset Museum & Art Gallery's Collections Discovery Centre.
Wed 13th May - 2:00pm
and 7 future schedules
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BREAKING FREE: Multi-Media Art Workshop in the Shire Hall cells
Exploratory art workshop designed to help you break free – from chores, routines, and fears – and make time for creativity!
Fri 15th May - 10:00am
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Dorset Art Weeks
Dorset Art Weeks at The Duchess of Cornwall Inn will feature three artists from Dorset ; Laura Cheeseman, Robert Forbes and John Whitchurch.
Sat 23rd May - 10:00am
and 15 future schedules
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Dorset Art Week @ Jubilee Hall
Dorset Art Weeks sees artists’ studios and galleries opening up across the county and welcoming art lovers.
Fri 29th May - All day
and 9 future schedules
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The Bloom Project
Take a tiny seedling home to nurture and help us plant a fully-bloomed “twin” in our Community Legacy Planter.
Fri 29th May - 11:00am
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Jun 2026
Art in the Park with Mega Kites
Join us for a creative day in the park where artists of all ages and abilities are invited to paint the beautiful surroundings.
Sat 6th Jun - 10:00am
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Love Poundbury “through your lens” The Exhibition
The winning photographs from the Love Poundbury "through your lens" competition
Mon 8th Jun - All day
and 13 future schedules
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Jul 2026
Dorset Ceramics Market
For ceramic artists, potters and people who love clay!
Sat 11th Jul - 10:00am
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Aug 2026
Paint a Pet at Bark in the Park
Come and join the Family Friendly Dog Show and paint a pet or the scene to be "Best in Show".
Sun 23rd Aug - 10:00am
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Oct 2026
The Script’s The Thing!
The Script’s The Thing will take place on 10th and 11th October, and is a celebration of new writing for theatre, TV, film, radio and all performance.
Sat 10th Oct - All day
and 1 future schedules
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Dorchester Literary Festival
Whether you’re interested in fiction, crime, science, history, politics, the natural world, health, music, walking, biography or cosy crime, there will be plenty to tempt you to join us in October.
Sat 17th Oct - All day
and 7 future schedules
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