Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art officially opens at Culture House

Marking a major milestone for culture, learning and creativity in the City, the University of Sunderland officially opened its new home for the Northern Gallery of Contemporary Art (NGCA) in Culture House.

Visitors attending Culture House on the opening weekend (September 12-13) took part in University-led workshops featuring local printmaker, Hannah Gawne. During the sessions, children were able to create their own journals whilst exploring collage and printmaking.

Visitors also got to see NGCA’s debut public exhibition in the gallery, Kitchen Sink Realism, a major solo show of Sunderland-born artist Audrey Amiss (1933–2013) presenting previously unseen paintings, drawings and archival material.

The exhibition will run at the gallery from September 12 until January 17, 2027.

The gallery is in the heart of the new landmark building in Keel Square.

Located on the second floor of Culture House, the NGCA offers a dynamic, flexible environment for exhibitions, learning and collaboration, helping to strengthen the connection between education, creativity and the city’s wider cultural life.

Developed in partnership between the University, Sunderland Culture and Sunderland City Council, the gallery will also provide a prominent platform for students and staff to showcase their work, collaborate with artists, and gain invaluable professional experience in a public-facing setting.