ArtWorks Exhibition 2026
Key details
When:
Date:
Time:
12th - 27th Sep
10:00 - 16:00
Where:
Blackthorpe Barn, Rougham
Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk
SatNav: IP30 9HZ
Pricing:
Free Entry
Artworks are for sale and are priced individually
26th Year of Artworks Exhibitions
With its reputation for high standards of fresh and contemporary work, Artworks (known as ArtworksEast online) seeks to interest and inspire in a wide range of media created by 28 of East Anglia’s leading artists and has been doing so for over 25 years now.
A highlight of the East Anglian art scene, this is a great opportunity to see contemporary 2D and 3D work by 30 of East Anglia’s established and popular artists. All the exhibits are new to Artworks each year and are for sale.
A great favourite of the exhibition is the Mini Artworks Prize Draw; thirty mini artworks created by the Artworks artists will be on display during the main exhibition and the proceeds benefit their Schools Programme and a chosen East Anglian charity.
Meet the Artist
There are also daily opportunities during September to Meet The Artist at the exhibition, where one or more artists will be demonstrating how they create their work.
Saturday 12th September – Julia Groves, Gail Loftus
Sunday 13th September – Billie Buck, Doug Patterson
Monday 14th September – Valerie Armstrong
Tuesday 15th September – Terry Bryan
Wednesday 16th September – Hazel Bradshaw
Thursday 17th September – Stephen Kirin
Friday 18th September – Sue Caddy
Saturday 19th September – Gillian Crossley-Holland, Liz Waugh McManus
Sunday 20th September – Angela Hall, Christine McKechnie
Monday 21st September – Eileen Revett
Tuesday 22nd September – Elisabeth Rutt
Wednesday 23rd September – Judith Glover
Thursday 24th September – Sarah Abercrombie
Friday 25th September – Valerie Armstrong
Saturday 26th September – Cathy D’Arcy, Judith Glover
Sunday 27th September – Lucy Perry, Doug Patterson
Find out more detail about these artists from this page on the ArtworksEast website.
You can sign-up for tickets to be invited to the Private Viewing for this show by going to the ArtworksEast website.
The setting for this wonderful exhibition is the spectacular thatched, late medieval Blackthorpe Barn, part of the Rougham Estate.
Important information
There is plenty of free parking at Blackthorpe Barn.
Accessible parking is near the café/shop.
More parking is available slightly further down the avenue.
Please be aware that this is a rural location and paths can be muddy depending on the weather conditions.
Gallery
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14/14
26th Anniversary
This September Artworks will be celebrating its 26th annual exhibition at Blackthorpe Barn, Rougham Estate near Bury St Edmunds.
The initial idea for Artworks was the inspiration of friends Katie Millard and Graham Portlock. They stood together in the beautiful 15th Century thatched barn, looked around and decided as one it was the perfect setting for an art exhibition. Then they set to, phoned artist friends and colleagues and the first exhibition was soon underway proving such a success that there was a resounding vote to exhibit the next year and so it has continued.
Over the years Artworks has also established strong ties with local schools, providing free workshops and inviting school visits which are often as surprising to the artists as to the children.
As has been the practice for 26 years, all the work exhibited is new to Artworks and ranges from colourful abstract art to exquisite botanical illustrations, dramatic landscape paintings to insightful portraiture, robust ceramics to delicate figurative work, elegant bronze sculptures to surreal constructions.
At the exhibition there will be opportunities to meet the artists and take part in the popular ‘Mini Artworks Prize draw’ which raises money for this year’s charity.
“We still have original members in the group and none of us ever dreamt, when we took part in the first exhibition at Blackthorpe Barn in 1999, that we would still be going strong years later. It’s a very exciting time and shows that people in East Anglia have a real interest and appreciation for high quality art from professional artists.
As a group, we have always encouraged the addition of new guest artists and this approach has worked well over the years. It means in addition to the new work of familiar artists there are always surprises.”
Gillian Crossley-Holland, Chair and one of the founder members of Artworks
Where to find us
Plenty of free parking on site
Please keep to the 20mph limit
Disabled access available
This is a rural location and paths can be muddy
Blackthorpe Barn is situated just south of Junction 45 of the A14, three miles east of Bury St Edmunds, in the village of Rougham.
Look out for the entrance gates to a long tree-lined avenue at the White House junction.
The Barn is down the avenue, on the right.
Related Events
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Still clinging on to summer? We’ve got a special for you.
Our salad of the week is a fresh green bean salad with pecans, feta, spinach, red onion, sumac and micro coriander, all finished with a honey mustard dressing.
Or perhaps you’re already feeling a little more autumnal?
Our brunch special is a little more comforting, with crispy potatoes coated in caramelised onion jam, topped with fried halloumi, a poached egg, chilli flakes and parsley.
Whichever season you’re in, we’ve got something for you at Roots Café this week.
#RoughamEstate #RootsCafe #WeeklySpecials
Rougham Pumpkins opens again in 3 weeks! Yes, it’s that time again. 🎃🎉
The pumpkins are already looking great and the gates will be swinging open on Saturday 3rd Oct.
Save the date to come and wander amongst 100,000s of pumpkins, squashes and gourds in over 15 varieties.
You’ll find a whole autumn festival with the big bale pyramids, sandpits, pedal tractors, football goals, space to run and play and face painting by @faceitfaceart
These fabulous food trucks will be here every weekend:
🌮🌯🥞☕️🍰🥘🍦🥂🍗
Roots&Co - coffee, cakes, snacks, drinks (soft & alcoholic)
@whatthe_peck - Suffolk-reared fried chicken
@badboiburritos - toasted burritos
@Pigs_In - all your pork favourites
@GeeGeeBakes - coffee, cheesecakes, milkshakes
@KiernansCoffee - coffees, drinks & snacks at the Pitch in the Patch
@FullThrottleCoffeeCo - coffees & snacks
On selected days:
@Tikka_Tonic - New Delhi style street food
@TheCreperieShack - sweet & savoury crepes
@itsotisbreading - sourdough toasties & salads
@greyscoffee_ - coffees & homemade bakes
Bring your own picnic if you like.
🔦 Pumpkins by Torchlight & Silent Disco
On two spooky Saturday evenings, 17th & 24th October, 6pm–9pm, bring your torches, wear your wellies and enjoy the pumpkin patch after dark with a silent disco.
Disco headsets need to be booked - tickets coming soon.
🧡 SEN-Friendly Sessions
9am-10am on Tues 27th & Thurs 29th October, entry to the patch will be ticketed to give a quieter time for those who benefit from a calmer, more relaxed visit.
Free tickets to be booked in advance - tickets coming soon.
📅 Open on the following dates in October
9am–5pm
Sat 3 – Sun 4
Sat 10 – Sun 11
Sat 17 – Sun 18
Daily Sat 24 – Sat 31 (10am-5pm on 27th & 29th)
‼️The pumpkins are in the NEW Sunflower and Pumpkin Field, south of J45, A14, Elderstub Lane, SatNav: IP30 9HX
📣 We’re looking for seasonal staff aged over 18. Apply through the advert on Indeed.
🐕 Dogs welcome in the picnic area and the small doggy patch, but not in the main patch.
All the details from our website - link in bio.
#roughamestate #burystedmunds #pickyourownpumpkin
ArtWorks @artworkseast opens to the public today, Saturday 12 September, in the beautiful thatched Blackthorpe Barn
📅 12th – 27th September
🕙 10am – 4pm daily
🎟️ Free entry and free parking
📍Rougham Estate, SatNav: IP30 9HZ
Dogs welcome on leads.
We look forward to seeing you!
#suffolkart #eastanglianartists #burystedmunds #artexhibitions
Now in its 26th year, this much-loved exhibition brings together 28 established artists from across East Anglia
for a two-week show of beautiful contemporary art in one of Suffolk’s most special settings.
Over 300 artworks are on display
from abstract paintings and botanical illustrations to ceramics, sculpture and mixed media.
There is such a wide variety of work, everyone will find something to enchant them
and everything is available to buy.
The Private View on Friday evening was well attended
and from now on, every day, there is at least one artist demonstrating their work in the Barn.
At the weekends there are two artists working here each day,
so come along and “Meet the Artist”!
The exhibition is open for just over 2 weeks, until Sunday 27th September
and it’s free to enter, with free parking too.
With Roots Café and the Rougham Estate Lifestyle shop just next door
there are plenty of reasons to come and visit this brilliant exhibition!
We’re hiring at Roots Café!
We’re looking for a Café Supervisor to join our small, passionate team at Rougham Estate.
This is a hands-on role for someone who enjoys hospitality, loves working with people and can keep things running smoothly when the café gets busy.
You’ll work closely with our Café Manager, helping to lead the team, oversee day-to-day service, maintain high standards and make sure every customer receives a warm welcome.
If you have experience in a café, restaurant, farm shop or similar environment, and you’re a natural leader who’s happy to roll up your sleeves, we’d love to hear from you.
£14.15 per hour
Full-time, permanent
Based at Roots Café, Rougham Estate
Free on-site parking and staff discounts
Interested? Find out more and apply via Indeed on link in our bio.
#RoughamEstate #WeAreHiring #CafeJobs #HospitalityJobs #SuffolkJobs
Don’t miss our penultimate Plant Pop-Up of the season!
Chris from @watsons_plants will be back at Blackthorpe Barn this weekend, Friday 11th and Saturday 12th September, with a great selection of quality plants and plenty of expert advice.
If you’re thinking about giving your garden a refresh for autumn, this is a great chance to speak to Chris about what to plant, where to plant it and how to keep your garden looking its best as the seasons change.
The Plant Pop-Up is free to visit and there’s no need to book. You’ll find Chris just outside Roots Café and the Rougham Estate Shop, from 10am–4pm.
And with just one more Plant Pop-Up after this one, don’t miss out!
#RoughamEstate #WatsonsPlants
A little change to be aware of if you’re visiting us from Friday 11 September.
Our summer car park will be closing for the season, so parking will move back to the area directly in front of Blackthorpe Barn.
As autumn approaches, we’re also starting to turn our attention to the next season here at Rougham Estate, with Christmas planning and preparations getting underway behind the scenes…
The Estate never really stands still!
Please follow the signs when you arrive and we look forward to welcoming you.
#RoughamEstate #BlackthorpeBarn #VisitorInformation
ArtWorks @artworkseast is back at Blackthorpe Barn, opening next Saturday, 12th September.
Now in its 26th year, this much-loved exhibition brings together 28 established artists from across East Anglia for two weeks of beautiful contemporary art in one of Suffolk’s most special settings. From abstract paintings and botanical illustrations to ceramics, sculpture, mixed media and much more, there are over 300 artworks to discover and everything is available to buy.
Come and meet the artists, watch them create their art and take part in the Mini Artworks Prize Draw.
📅 12th – 27th September
🕙 10am – 4pm daily
📍 Blackthorpe Barn, Rougham Estate, SatNav: IP30 9HZ
🎟️ Free entry and plenty of free parking
🍰 Roots Café nearby, open every day
We’re looking forward to welcoming you!
#RoughamEstate #ArtworksEast #SuffolkArt #EastAnglianArtists #BuryStEdmunds
Join us for a day of weaving, nature and quiet creativity at Blackthorpe Barn.
This September, come and learn from textile artist Caroline Hyde-Brown and enjoy a beautiful day of making.
The Wild Weave workshop guides you through the art of weaving with wild grasses and freshly grown flowers on a mini hand-held loom. No experience needed, just a love of nature and a willingness to slow down and make something with your hands.
You’ll choose your raw materials from a posy prepared by Caroline, learn to weave and by the end of the day you’ll have your very own unique piece of wild art to take home and display.
Caroline will also share her knowledge of foraging, medicinal herbs and how the hedgerow has inspired her own practice, making this day as much about the stories behind the craft as the making itself.
📅 10am-4pm on Saturday 26th September
📍 The Meadow Room, Blackthorpe Barn
🎟️ £75 per person
Limited places - book on our website, link in profile.
#RoughamEstate #burystedmunds #TextileArt #NatureCraft #SuffolkEvents
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