Shieldfield Art Works

Shieldfield Art Works Art. Theology. Community Activism. A project of the Methodist Church. We gladly welcome people of all backgrounds to participate in our programme.

Shieldfield Art Works (or ‘SAW’) is an arts organisation based in Shieldfield, Newcastle upon Tyne. SAW operates on the intersection of contemporary art, theological reflection and community activism. As both an arts space and a project of the Methodist Church, we are committed to understanding how these three spheres can speak, interact and learn from each other. SAW believes art and creativity a

re integral parts of human life, and with art’s unique ability to articulate, question and enquire, we can enact positive change in our communities and the world. Shieldfield Art Work’s broad programme includes developing high quality art exhibitions, events, workshops, conferences and publications. Although we support all forms of art making and development, Socially Engaged Art is integral to our practice as an organisation, and is often used to discuss, question and give voice to local and global issues. We have a longstanding commitment to our community of Shieldfield, an area which has undergone rapid urban development. We also support emerging artists by providing opportunities for development, curatorial support and exhibition opportunities. SAW works with people of all faiths and none – artists, schools, universities, community members, charities, churches, community groups, artistic collectives and other partners.

CRAFT ACTION COLLECTIVE // POSTERS AND ZINESJoin us for creative workshops with artist Toby Lloyd, where we’ll explore a...
27/05/2026

CRAFT ACTION COLLECTIVE // POSTERS AND ZINES

Join us for creative workshops with artist Toby Lloyd, where we’ll explore attitudes to work (of all kinds, paid and unpaid), how we value ‘free’ time and issues surrounding the possibility of a Universal Basic Income. Over two sessions, we’ll make posters and zines thinking about:

Everyday rituals - ordinary, often unnoticed actions we carry out everyday, like eating, sleeping, looking at our phones or walking. How might our everyday rituals be different if free time was valued differently by society?

Universal Basic Income - a policy where everyone in society would receive regular and unconditional monthly payments regardless of their means and without any requirements to work or on how the money is used. What impact would this have on you and the rest of society?

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Starting in June, Craft Action Collective will have a new rhythm: we are starting a regular Craft Action Collective session during the daytime, on the first Monday of every month, 1:45pm - 3:45pm (except August). This will be in addition to our evening session every third Tuesday of the month. You can find out dates of upcoming Craft Action Collective sessions on our website.

Daytime sessions: Monday 1 June & 6 July, 1:45 - 3:45pm

Evening sessions: Tuesday 16 June, 6:30 - 8pm

Evening sessions are a repeat of the daytime sessions - you are welcome to come to both daytime and evening sessions.

Free session for adults, no experience needed - just bring enthusiasm. It's helpful if you let us know you're planning on coming so we can ensure we have enough materials - or you can just turn up.

We've been nominated for North East gallery of the year in the MyLocal awards!Vote for us at mylocalawards.co.uk/busines...
25/05/2026

We've been nominated for North East gallery of the year in the MyLocal awards!

Vote for us at mylocalawards.co.uk/business/shieldfield-art-works 🎨

Now showing: Many Hands ✋Many Hands considers the societal pressure to constantly work or ‘do’ something, versus our pos...
25/05/2026

Now showing: Many Hands ✋

Many Hands considers the societal pressure to constantly work or ‘do’ something, versus our post-pandemic understanding of human fragility; we are not machines, we are created to rest regularly. The exhibition questions life defined by production, consumption and commodity, and points to participation in community. How could many hands support change?

Many Hands is open until Thursday 11th June.

Opening times: Tuesday – Thursday // 11am – 4pm

Additional Openings: Monday 11th May, Monday 18th May, Monday 1st June // 4.30-6.30pm & Saturday 6th June // 11am – 3pm

Charity Garden Opening // Saturday 6th June // 10am - 4pmWe are holding a charity open garden event at SAW as part of th...
23/05/2026

Charity Garden Opening // Saturday 6th June // 10am - 4pm

We are holding a charity open garden event at SAW as part of the National Garden Scheme.*

The National Garden Scheme gives visitors unique access to over 3,500 exceptional private gardens in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands, and raises impressive amounts of money for nursing and health charities through admissions.

We will also be raising funds for SAW through selling teas and cake, and you'll have the chance to look around our exhibition too.

*While our garden is usually open for free, we'll be charging a £4 admission fee during the NGS event which will go to charity. Refreshment proceeds will go to SAW. Visiting the exhibition only is free.

Today at Shieldfield Grows we planted out French beans and lots of cut flowers, we potted on courgettes, we weeded and w...
20/05/2026

Today at Shieldfield Grows we planted out French beans and lots of cut flowers, we potted on courgettes, we weeded and watered, and we cut back the grass that was strangling some shrubs. It is meant to get hot this weekend so we hope the plants enjoy a bit of sun 🌞

SAW Reflects: Many Hands // Tuesday 9th June // 6.30pm - 8pmSAW Reflects events let us dive into how an art work relates...
20/05/2026

SAW Reflects: Many Hands // Tuesday 9th June // 6.30pm - 8pm

SAW Reflects events let us dive into how an art work relates to ourselves, our world and our beliefs. It's a chance to have an informal chat about the themes of the exhibition over a bowl of soup, in a relaxed space open to all.

This event will be centred around our current exhibition, Many Hands, which explores work, rest, and community. There'll be space to delve deep into these themes, and discuss what role Sabbath rest plays in our lives.

This event is free to attend. If you fancy coming, it'd help us out if you email [email protected] so we can make sure we have enough soup! But you're also welcome to just turn up on the day. ✋

Some wonderful funding news 💸SAW is one of fifteen organisations in the UK and Ireland to receive funding from Scientist...
19/05/2026

Some wonderful funding news 💸

SAW is one of fifteen organisations in the UK and Ireland to receive funding from Scientists in Congregations, a grant programme run by Equipping Christian Leadership in an Age of Science, for 2026-27.

We're excited to use this grant for our Creating Fallow programme: an arts‑led, science‑informed exploration of rest, Sabbath, and human flourishing. Thank you ECLAS for your support of SAW!

David Wilkinson, ECLAS Project Director, said: “We are proud to make this significant investment into advancing the science-faith dialogue in the UK and Ireland. These projects, which represent a wide range of topics, faith traditions, and geographic reach, will become exemplars to other churches and theological colleges who want to weave engagement with science and scientists into their mission and ministry.”

ECLAS and the Scientists in Congregations grant programme are funded by the John Templeton Foundation.

Last week SAW was a polling station for the first time! It was great to see so many local residents coming through our d...
14/05/2026

Last week SAW was a polling station for the first time!

It was great to see so many local residents coming through our door to make their voices heard. 🗳

Today at Shieldfield Grows we pricked out some flower seedlings, sowed some flower seeds which will become part of a flo...
13/05/2026

Today at Shieldfield Grows we pricked out some flower seedlings, sowed some flower seeds which will become part of a floral installation in the Novum festival in Newcastle in August, built a second structure for growing peas and one for growing sweet peas and dodged the rain 🌧 and hail showers before the sunshine 🌞 said hello. Bring on the cut flower crop this year!

Today at Shieldfield Grows we planted out Carlin peas with a fun trellis construction, planted some hellebores ready for...
29/04/2026

Today at Shieldfield Grows we planted out Carlin peas with a fun trellis construction, planted some hellebores ready for bringing joy next winter, and took out lots and lots of goose grass and sycamore seedlings. The 🌞 was shining and the growers were happy. What a glorious day!

Today at Shieldfield Grows we put in about 40 different perennials donated from into our flower mound borders. We used ...
22/04/2026

Today at Shieldfield Grows we put in about 40 different perennials donated from into our flower mound borders. We used our new ace spade bought with a grant from Jean Cartman Wilder Communities Award. We are so thankful for those who support our work! Watch this space for the beautiful flowers that will grow!

Address

1 Clarence Street, Shieldfield
Newcastle Upon Tyne
NE21YH

Opening Hours

Tuesday 10am - 12pm
Saturday 11am - 4pm

Telephone

0191 4476811

Website

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