Ahead of its opening on Saturday, August 22, with a bumper weekend of activities, we went for a look around The Light.
The new Durham County Council-run building is a remodel of the 1960s former DLI Gallery and Durham Art Museum in Aykley Heads and is a big boost to the site’s offering with contemporary gallery space, as well as a new cafe, meeting rooms, hands on workshops and more.
“It’s a really exciting moment for the venue and for the city,” said Tony Guillan, creative director of The Light, as they prepare to welcome the public through the doors of the new venue, which has been years in the planning.
He added: “I’m genuinely thrilled to be part of a team delivering what I believe is one of the most ambitious cultural projects currently taking place in the North East.
“More importantly, I believe it has the potential to be transformative for County Durham and the wider region.”
The Light is named in honour of the county’s long association with light in all its forms and features free displays, including a permanent exhibition in tribute to the Durham Light Infantry called We Are The Durhams, and a new contemporary gallery space.
The latter is ticketed with the inaugural exhibition, Victory Over The Sun: Encounters With Light, featuring the work of 25 contemporary artists working with light, with pieces by the likes of national and international artists, Olafur Eliasson, Tracey Emin, Chila Burman, David Shrigley and more.
Speaking about what ticketholders can expect from Victory Over The Sun, Tony said: “We’ve got light artworks of all different sorts and scales, from really intimate works looking at how artists have written in light to large scale works. It’s a really spectacular and unique show and the first time an exhibition like this has been held in County Durham.”
*Entry to The Light and We Are The Durhams is free. Victory Over The Sun is ticketed, with tickets available at https://thelightdurham.org.uk/
9. Art for all
The new gift shop sells a range of art books, gifts, homewares and more. | Iconic Media
10. Hands on art
The opening weekend celebrations will continue into the final weeks of the summer holidays with a packed programme of artist-led workshops and creative activities inspired by light, colour, perception, and imagination. Designed for children aged eight and over, the workshops will take place each day from 11am to 12.30pm and 2pm to 3.30pm. Tickets cost £8 per child (accompanying adult free). | Iconic Media
11. Bright future
The name The Light reflects County Durham’s many associations with light – from the creation 1,300 years ago of Bede’s lunar calendar to Durham University’s involvement in the James Webb Space Telescope. | Iconic Media
12. Opening hours
From August 22, The Light will be open seven days a week. Monday: 10am-5pm. Tuesday: 10am -5pm. Wednesday: 10am to 5pm, Thursday: 10am -8pm. Friday: 10am - 5pm. Saturday: 10am- 5pm. Sunday: 10am - 4pm | Iconic Media