The Pier Arts Centre

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The Pier Arts Centre The Pier Arts Centre, Museum & Art Gallery in Orkney. www.pierartscentre.com
01856 850209 FREE ADMISSION

The Pier Arts Centre in Stromness, Orkney was established in 1979 to provide a home for an important collection of British fine art donated by the author, peace activist and philanthropist Margaret Gardiner (1904 – 2005). The permanent Collection includes works by major 20th Century artists Barbara Hepworth, Ben Nicholson and Alfred Wallis, amongst others, as well as contemporary art by Sean Scully, Eva Rothschild and Olafur Eliasson. The Collection also includes local artists including Sylvia Wishart and Stanley Cursiter. Although small, it is regarded as one of the finest collections of the period in the UK. A Recognised Collection of National Significance to Scotland, key works are regularly loaned to prominent exhibitions around the world. The Pier Arts Centre is also a partner of Tate, and exchanges programmes, ideas and skills with the Plus Tate network of visual arts organisations across the UK. The Centre also curates a year round programme of changing exhibitions and events for the education and enjoyment of the general public. Housed in a complex of buildings with a rich history, the Centre re-opened in July 2007 following a major redevelopment. This included creating a stunning award-winning new building on one of the piers which characterise the historic town of Stromness. The Pier Arts Centre acts as a focal point for the local artistic community. It has a valuable library and archive which is accessible to the public, and runs a programme of education and outreach activities for groups of all ages. The Pier Arts Centre is a Scottish Registered Charity No SC014815

Neuk Orkney are having their October meetup at the Pier Arts CentreSaturday 31st October, 1.30 to 4pm.With a spooky prin...
20/10/2026

Neuk Orkney are having their October meetup at the Pier Arts Centre
Saturday 31st October, 1.30 to 4pm.
With a spooky printmaking workshop with Megumi Barrington followed by time to hang-out with refreshments. Scary outfits optional and treats provided!
Free to come along but workshop places are limited.
Please email Emma to secure a place and for any questions: [email protected].

Orkney Neuk Local

This is a professional/social group open to all over 18 neuro-divergent creative practitioners with a dedicated practice.

All forms of creative practice, trained or untrained.
Self diagnosis is valid.

Catch up on last night's BBC Radio Orkney arts show to hear about our plans for the former Stromness Post Office, the MÓ...
20/10/2026

Catch up on last night's BBC Radio Orkney arts show to hear about our plans for the former Stromness Post Office, the MÓTI exhibition just opened at the gallery and the artists taking part in this year's Orkney x Japan Residency in partnership with the Pier Arts Centre and 国際芸術センター青森

OPENING TODAY - Móti — The First Ten Years17 October-24 December 2026MÓTI collective is a group of art and design gradua...
17/10/2026

OPENING TODAY - Móti — The First Ten Years
17 October-24 December 2026

MÓTI collective is a group of art and design graduates who have either studied in, returned to, or chosen to base themselves in Orkney. Their founding members were initially brought together by the Pier Arts Centre’s graduates’ exhibition Stargazing in 2015, founding the collective the following year.

This exhibition, celebrating ten years since their inception, brings together the work of 20 members of Móti Collective in a wide range of media including photography, sculpture, printmaking and textiles.

Móti is an Old Norse word meaning 'towards; to meet' and as such they hope to provide motivation, support and feedback for their members, generating new work and building creative connections.

We had a lovely afternoon yesterday - hosting an Informal meet the artists gathering with artists Namine Doi and Megumi ...
14/10/2026

We had a lovely afternoon yesterday - hosting an Informal meet the artists gathering with artists Namine Doi and Megumi Barrington.

Both artists are taking part in this year's Aomori Contemporary Art Centre (ACAC) / Pier Arts Centre artists’ exchange programme, supporting an Orkney based artist to travel to Japan, and hosting an artist from Japan in Orkney.

Many thanks to Kitchen for the lovely food and Mainland Strathspey and Reel Society for the entertainment

Today we celebrate the birth of Terry Frost (1915-2003) with Black and Orange 1959 from our collection
13/10/2026

Today we celebrate the birth of Terry Frost (1915-2003) with Black and Orange 1959 from our collection

Tomorrow (Tuesday 13 October) 4:30-6:30pm we are hosting an Informal meet the artists gathering with artists Namine Doi ...
12/10/2026

Tomorrow (Tuesday 13 October) 4:30-6:30pm we are hosting an Informal meet the artists gathering with artists Namine Doi and Megumi Barrington
Both artists are taking part in this year's Aomori Contemporary Art Centre (ACAC) @国際芸術センター青森 / Pier Arts Centre artists’ exchange programme, supporting an Orkney based artist to travel to Japan, and hosting an artist from Japan in Orkney.
Admission Free. All welcome. Light refreshments will be served

Image: Namine Doi, Fragmented Life in Everyday Life, 2025

We will be closing at 12 noon tomorrow (Saturday 10 October) for a private function. Normal hours resume on Tuesday 13 O...
09/10/2026

We will be closing at 12 noon tomorrow (Saturday 10 October) for a private function.
Normal hours resume on Tuesday 13 October.

Next Tuesday (13 October) 4:30-6:30pm we are hosting an Informal meet the artists gathering with artists Namine Doi and ...
07/10/2026

Next Tuesday (13 October) 4:30-6:30pm we are hosting an Informal meet the artists gathering with artists Namine Doi and Megumi Barrington

Both artists are taking part in this year's Aomori Contemporary Art Centre (ACAC) 国際芸術センター青森 / Pier Arts Centre artists’ exchange programme, supporting an Orkney based artist to travel to Japan, and hosting an artist from Japan in Orkney.

Admission Free. All welcome. Light refreshments will be served

Namine Doi arrived in Orkney at the start of October and will be staying at Linkshouse in Birsay for a month.

Using contemporary art and music, sound art, composition, performance, and DJing in her practice, Namine is continually crossing the boundaries between music and visual art.

While in Orkney, Namine will focus her research on traditional seasonal agricultural milestones and celebrations, typically involving music and dance.

As well as research into Orkney's folklore and oral traditions, Namine would like to conduct interviews with Orcadian folk. Through conversations and with particular attention to the sounds of spoken language, she will explore the points at which individual lived experience, intersects with regional culture and the natural environment to shape people’s ways of life, including their language and music traditions.

If you are unable to attend the event, but would like to have a conversation with Namine while she is in Orkney, please email [email protected] or phone 01856 850209 and your details will be passed on.

Later this year Megumi Barrington, a Japanese artist who is based in Orkney will travel to Japan, developing her interest in the intersection between her Japanese heritage and her interest in the landscape and natural history of Orkney.

COMING NEXT: Moti 17 October-24 December 2026MÓTI Collective is a group of art and design graduates who have either stud...
06/10/2026

COMING NEXT: Moti 17 October-24 December 2026

MÓTI Collective is a group of art and design graduates who have either studied in, returned to, or chosen to base themselves in Orkney. Their founding members were initially brought together by the Pier Arts Centre’s graduates’ exhibition Stargazing in 2015, founding the collective the following year.

This exhibition, celebrating ten years since their inception, brings together the work of 17 members of Móti Collective in a wide range of media including photography, sculpture, printmaking and textiles.

Anniversaries are moments for reflection - one eye to the past, and one eye to the future. Members of the collective converge and interact, bouncing off one another with new found inspiration as they work collaboratively and individually. The themes of reflect and refract influences the work in the exhibition.

Image: Kristyn Grieve Still 2026 Nettle paper and cordage, heather and feather © the artist

Today we celebrate the birth of Robert Adams (1917-84) with Woman, 1953, larch from our Collection
05/10/2026

Today we celebrate the birth of Robert Adams (1917-84) with
Woman, 1953, larch from our Collection

Address

Stromness
KW163AA

Opening Hours

Monday 10:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 10:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 10:30am - 5pm
Thursday 10:30am - 5pm
Friday 10:30am - 5pm
Saturday 10:30am - 5pm

Telephone

+441856850209

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