The Werd & Various Artists

Location: The Zoo, Hill Street Centre, Middlesbrough, TS1 1TB Fri 26 Sept - Sat 4 Oct (closed Sun & Mon)

12pm-8pm

The Werd present an open-call group exhibition that invites artists who’ve faced rejection from other open calls. Its core principle is radical inclusivity - every submission will be accepted until the space is full. The title references the early-2000s anti-piracy ad, Piracy - It’s a Crime, which compared downloading movies to stealing cars. This exhibition critiques systemic barriers in the art world and opens a space for everyone. It’s an attempt to allow as many artists as space permits to show their work, fully utilising a ‘meanwhile space’ whilst defining radical inclusivity in its installation.

Nick Blaney & Nic Golightly

(Navigator North / FORGED)

Stuart Langley

(Navigator North / FORGED)

MIMA, Centre Square, Middlesbrough, TS1 2AZ

Fri 26 Sept - 4 Oct

(closed Mon)

10am-4:30pm (Sun 10am-4pm)

Discover the story behind Bottle of Notes (1993), Middlesbrough’s iconic public sculpture and the only UK work by celebrated artists Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen. Over its 30- year life this giant steel bottle has been adopted as a symbol for the Tees Valley.

The Secret Lives of Bottle of Notes, delves into how public art shapes identity and place. Through historical and contemporary artworks, archival materials, and creative contributions from Tees Valley communities, the exhibition traces the making of this significant sculpture, its meaning to the region, and its lasting impact on

Middlesbrough’s cultural landscape.

Artists: Michaela Zimmer // Grapebattleships // Jirka Pfahl // Erika Krause // DAG

Location: Platform A Gallery, Middlesbrough Train Station, Middlesbrough, TS1 1EG

Fri 26 Sept - Sat 4 Oct

(closed Mon)

10am-4pm

In March 2025, Platform A partnered with the Berlin gallery Glue by Dag to facilitate a ten-day residency titled Groundhoppers during which five artists were invited to immerse themselves in the creative scene of Berlin. Artists were tasked with making new work in the gallery space, to then be exhibited at the end of the residency. This served as an opportunity for artists to form and grow international connections and establish an artistic reputation outside of the UK. Now, Platform A will host Glue and a series of chosen artists from Berlin in an exhibition also titled Groundhoppers. The preview event promises to be an opportunity for networking on an international scale, in which the artistic communities of Middlesbrough and Berlin will be brought together.

2B Creative Health Unit 25, Hillstreet Shopping Centre, Middlesbrough, TS1 1SU

Fri 26 Sept - Sat 4 Oct

(Closed Sun) • 12pm-5pm

Artist and curator Faiza Faiq Gelani presents Other Selves, a thought- provoking project where each figure tells a story of healing, dreaming, struggle, or growth. Their identities emerge through colour, clothing, words, and objects, inviting reflection on emotion and personal journeys.

Visitors are encouraged to contribute their own thoughts, memories, or dreams, which will become part of the evolving artwork. Augmented reality, accessed by phone, reveals hidden layers within each story. The exhibition asks: who are we, who might we become, and how do we change across imagined worlds? Alongside Other Selves, the Cleveland Art Society will host a portrait session at 2B on Saturday 27 September, with special guests joining the day. On

Wednesday 1 October, Adolescent Hercules will lead a writing workshop, an open invitation to share words and ideas.

Artists: Connor Clements // John Rutherford // Joe Clements // Bobby Benjamin // SHAMES // Theo Sunter & more

Pineapple Black Arts, Hill Street Centre, Middlesbrough, TS1 1SU

(ground floor)

Sat 27 Sept • 12pm-5pm

Proper Gander; an exhibition of sorts, is an art and literary happening curated by Bobby Benjamin. The one day only event marks the relaunch of Pineapple

Black and brings together visual artists and writers for a surreal and immersive display which combines horror, absurdism and social commentary. This exhibition challenges you to engage with works if you dare, make sense of the incomprehensible and question your role as the viewer. The collection challenges the traditional relationship between audience and art. Come and look at this display but expect it to stare right back. Please note: some works contain graphic imagery and sensitive subject matter.

EROS // OUT OUT

Pineapple Black Arts, Hill Street Centre, Middlesbrough, TS1 1SU

(first floor - no lift access)

Sat 27 Sept • 12pm-4pm

Queer Art-Events instigators OUT OUT will be taking over the first floor of Pineapple Black with their exhibition EROS. Working with artists such as Chris Niari, iDa4, Megan Bingham and many more, curator Kea Eloise explores the messy, seductive, beautiful and sometimes brutal realities of queer connection, where both vulnerability and desire collide. To want, publicly and queerly is still radical, this show demands to be seen, heard and felt deeper than you truly think.

The Python Gallery, 251-255 Linthorpe Rd, Middlesbrough, TS1 4AT

Fri 26 Sept - Fri 3 Oct (closed Sat & Sun)

9am-5:30pm

This retrospective of this Stockton based artist is truly exceptional. Covering 5 decades of a life immersed in the visual, creative and experiential.

The artwork in it’s own right is enough to bring acclaim to this show, covering work created in America during the eighties and more recently focusing on more local inspiration, but if you add in the fact that Graham’s career was as a roadie for various bands, but most notably, (and now very poignantly), Black Sabbath. Graham became a drum tech for Black

Sabbath in the 70’s and then went on to be stage manager for the band. He became close to all members of the band and was called up for one last session recording and assisting them on their legendary Home Coming gig earlier this year. He was also a respected driver and stage manager who has taken all the best acts across the world...Tina Turner, Roger Waters, U2, the Rolling Stones, Oasis, The Cure and many many more.

Story & Studio

Pineapple Black Arts, Hill Street Centre, Middlesbrough, TS1 1SU

(ground floor)

Sat 4 Oct • 10am-4pmFunded by Middlesbrough Council’s

Community Recovery Grants, Story & Studio have been working on a community arts project titled “Pieces of Us” aiming to celebrate and showcase the diverse culture of the town.

Working with over 1500 participants, Aisha, Chris and a selection of Teesside artists have created original poems; jigsaws and individual pieces of art celebrating both individual and communal identity. You’ll be able to view the incredible pieces of art that have been created; join in with free drop in art workshops and chat to the artists who have made it happen.

#wearemiddlesbrough