Home is where the art is… Alfred East Gallery set to fully re-open
Culture and tourism02 October 2026
Kettering’s art gallery will fully re-open to the public from 10am on Saturday 24 October.
The re-opening follows an extensive programme of work including the replacement of both the Library and Art Gallery roofs and works to install a new two-storey extension to the rear of the building, the site will now be fully open for the first time in 6 years.
Before of the opening, stakeholders will gather for an event to mark the project’s completion with invitees given the chance to explore the newly re-opened galleries and exhibitions.
Then from 10am on Saturday a special event will take place, supported by the Friends of the Art Gallery & Museum, which will showcase and celebrate the site. The event will include live music and activities for children.
The highlight of the opening will be the Gallery’s first major exhibition in 6 years - Faces and Places, an introduction to the wonderful art within Kettering’s collection, bringing a curated selection of popular artworks out of storage and back on display.
In the North Gallery, there will be two exhibitions that show how the Kettering community continued to embrace art and creativity during the Gallery’s closure period. From the Tag-a-Tile event, images of decorated Collyweston slates taken before the tiles were installed on the roof of Kettering Library. While mini-canvasses created during this summer’s KettFest, inspired by artwork from the Gallery’s collection, will also be on display.
In the Kate Pierce studio, there will be a full day for young artists inspired by Golden Youth, the 120-year-old oil painting by legendary artist Thomas Cooper Gotch with activities including lantern decorating and jewellery crafts.
Following the opening, the site will also take part in Northamptonshire Day on Sunday 25 October - an event designed to transform Kettering into a destination for one of the region's biggest family days out, encouraging residents and visitors alike to explore the best of Northamptonshire. The Gallery team will host LOL Theatre who will stage a "living painting" performance alongside live music, and visitors can browse the Faces & Places exhibition. There will also be drop-in creative stations for all ages to celebrate all the things loved about the Gallery - more details will be available online soon.
The Art Gallery, alongside the Library, is at the heart of Kettering and has been well-loved by residents for generations. Now, we are entering a new era for the Gallery that is still linked back to the heritage and history of the area and it’s only right that we celebrate this.Cllr Martin Griffiths, Leader of the Council
I look forward to seeing residents and visitors using the Gallery in full for the first time in 6 years - the whole site is looking exceptional.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their patience whilst works have taken place - we’re so nearly there and the site will be fully open from 24 October.
Then on the Sunday, the excitement continues with Northamptonshire Day - it really is going to be a weekend not to be missed.
Once fully open on Saturday 24 October, the Alfred East Gallery will then be open 10am - 4pm Tuesday to Saturday.
The Alfred East Gallery can also be found on Facebook.