New ERA Exhibitions at Burton Constable Hall | Inspiration in Burton-constable

Yorkshire Team

Inspiration • January 30th, 2026

Ever get that feeling you want to get out and see something new, something a bit different? Especially in that stretch between winter and spring when you’re not quite sure what to do with your weekend. Well, a brilliant new team-up in East Yorkshire might just be the answer. The magnificent Burton Constable Hall has joined forces with a huge group of local talent, the East Riding Artists, to fill a historic gallery with amazing art for the whole year. It’s a fantastic new collaboration that brings history and modern creativity together under one very grand roof.

A fresh splash of colour at Burton Constable Hall

So, what’s actually happening? Instead of just hosting a one-off show, Burton Constable Hall is handing over the keys to its historic Stables Gallery to the East Riding Artists, or ERA for short. This isn’t just any group of artists; the ERA is one of the biggest and most respected art groups in the north. This exciting collaboration means they’ll be organising and running a whole series of nine back-to-back themed exhibitions throughout the year. For anyone visiting, it means there will always be something new and exciting to see. One month it could be all about landscapes, the next it could be something completely different. This year-long schedule of creative programming is a brilliant way to showcase the incredible artists living and working right here in Yorkshire.

This partnership is a big deal for both sides. It gives local painters, sculptors, and makers a fantastic, prestigious space to show their work, and it offers visitors a constantly refreshing cultural experience. Alasdair Hutson, the Chief Executive of the Burton Constable Foundation, which looks after the hall, is clearly thrilled about it.

“We are delighted to be working in partnership with East Riding Artists to bring a full year of creative programming into the Stables Gallery.”

“Burton Constable Hall has always been a place where history, heritage and culture meet, and this collaboration will give visitors the opportunity to enjoy an ever-changing series of exhibitions by some of the region’s most talented artists.“

This new series of exhibitions is set to be a highlight for the region.

Kicking things off with the changing seasons

The very first exhibition in this year-long art adventure is called ‘The Changing Seasons’. It’s a perfect theme to start with, isn't it? The exhibition will run from February 3rd to March 15th, capturing that time of year when we’re leaving winter behind and seeing the first hints of spring. You can expect to see how different artists see our four very distinct seasons. Imagine paintings of frosty Yorkshire Wolds, sculptures inspired by stormy coastline scenes, or bright prints of flowers bursting into life in a market town garden. The exhibition will feature a huge variety of styles and mediums from many talented artists.

This celebration of the seasons is just the beginning. It sets the stage for a rolling programme of art that will continue all year. It’s a fantastic opportunity for the members of the East Riding Artists to get their work seen in such a stunning location. Whether they are painters, ceramicists, or jewellery-makers, the variety on display in this first exhibition will be a taster of what’s to come from this amazing art organisation. Getting to see how different creative people interpret a single theme like 'The Changing Seasons' is what makes themed exhibitions so special.

What this means for local artists

This year-long residency at Burton Constable Hall is a brilliant platform for the creative community in the East of Yorkshire. The ERA is a not-for-profit organisation, run by volunteers, that supports everyone from painters and sculptors to ceramicists and mixed-media creators. Getting a spot in one of these exhibitions is a fantastic showcase for their talent. Chairman Larry Malkin explained just how important this is.

“This amazing opportunity will give ERA members a chance show-case their work at one of East Yorkshire’s most well-known historic venues.”

“We have more than 60 full members who will be able to take part in an on-going rolling programme of exhibitions for 2D and 3D works throughout the year, while associate members will be able to submit work to a two-week open exhibition in the middle of the summer season.”

It’s clear this collaboration is about building a community and providing real opportunities. The ERA has already built a solid reputation, holding exhibitions in other prestigious Yorkshire venues like Beverley Minster and Selby Abbey. This partnership with Burton Constable Hall cements its status as a key art organisation in the region. It also provides a fantastic chance for networking among the artists, helping them to connect and share ideas. It’s these kinds of events that help the entire creative scene to grow and thrive.

A year full of art and inspiration

So, after ‘The Changing Seasons’ packs up on March 15th, what’s next? The programme of themed exhibitions continues with some really interesting ideas. The next show is ‘A Moment in Time’, which marks 250 years since the death of John Harrison in 1776. Who was he? Only the genius who invented the marine chronometer, the device that let sailors figure out where they were at sea. Sounds like a theme that could inspire some amazing art. After that, an exhibition called ‘Surface and Structure’ will explore all things texture, relief, and layers. Think really thick, textured paintings or intricate sculptures.

The artists of the ERA have plenty of inspiration to draw from. The group covers a massive part of Yorkshire, stretching 950 square miles from the beautiful coastline at Bridlington and Spurn Point, across the Wolds, and through bustling market towns. This varied landscape is a constant source of ideas for the painters, jewellers, and other creators who are part of this vibrant art organisation. The full calendar of events and exhibitions promises a fascinating year ahead.

More than just an art gallery

A trip to see the ERA exhibitions at Burton Constable Hall is a chance for a full day out. The art is housed in the Stables Gallery, but the rest of the Elizabethan country house is incredible to explore. There are 30 grand rooms filled with art and treasures collected by the Constable family over 700 years. There’s even a ‘Cabinet of Curiosities’, which is like a mini-museum of weird and wonderful objects. The grounds, designed by the famous ‘Capability’ Brown, are perfect for a walk, and there are even more surprises in the historic stables. Alongside the gallery, you can see Billy the stable boy’s bedroom and, get this, the 60-foot skeleton of a sperm whale that was mentioned in the book Moby-Dick. You can’t say that about many places. The Burton Constable Foundation does an amazing job preserving it all. And, of course, after all that exploring, you can pop into the Stables Kitchen for a well-deserved coffee and slice of cake. It’s the perfect way to round off a visit filled with history, nature, and fantastic local art from East Riding Artists.

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