Falmouth Art Gallery Announces 2026/27 Exhibition Programme

Falmouth Art Gallery, which is owned and operated by Falmouth Town Council, has announced its 2026/27 exhibition programme, bringing together a series of exhibitions that explore movement, identity and creative experimentation.

The new season builds on the Gallery’s reputation as one of the South West’s leading public galleries, with a continued focus on community engagement, wellbeing and artistic innovation.

Magic of Movement opens the programme

The programme begins with Magic of Movement: Automata and the Memory Cafe, running now until 9th May 2026.

This interactive exhibition explores the power of automata, drawing on the Gallery’s collection to look at how movement, storytelling and participation can help foster connection and wellbeing, particularly for people living with memory loss.

The exhibition features work from automata makers including Fi Henshall, Keith Newstead, Paul Spooner and Carlos Zapata, alongside paintings from the Gallery’s collection. It also reflects Falmouth’s heritage in mechanical art.

📷On display in the Mirrors Exhibition: Gluck by Gluck, oil on canvas, 1942, © National Portrait Gallery, London

Exploring identity through art

From 23rd May to 5th September 2026, Mirrors: Reflecting on Identity will take centre stage.

The exhibition brings together a wide range of artists, including Sarah Ball, Claude Cahun, Ithell Colquhoun, Naomi Frears, Gluck, Maggi Hambling, Diane Ibbotson, Kirsty Latoya, Marco Livingstone, Ken Nwadiogbu, Grayson Perry, SHARP and Cindy Sherman.

Through a variety of media, the exhibition looks at identity, self-perception and self-expression, encouraging visitors to reflect on how identity is shaped and how it evolves over time.

Artists take over the Gallery

Later in the year, Artist Takeover will run from 2nd October 2026 to 9th February 2027.

This exhibition gives artists and collectives selected through an open call in 2025 the chance to transform the Gallery space. Participants include Small Acts, Fran Rowse, Resonant Forms Collective, Charlie Duck and Justin Wiggins & Oona Luras.

The exhibition will feature new commissions and site-specific work created in response to the Gallery and its audiences.

Community focus continues

Alongside the exhibitions, Falmouth Art Gallery will continue its programme of workshops, talks and community-led activities aimed at making art accessible to all ages.

The Gallery remains free to enter and is located in the centre of Falmouth, offering a welcoming space for both residents and visitors.

Donna Westlake, Access and Interpretation Manager, said: “We are delighted to present a programme that reflects the Gallery’s core values of creativity, inclusivity, and community connection. Our Exhibitions allow us to curate some of the incredible works in our collection in new and innovative ways alongside loans from some of the country’s leading galleries and artists. From the playful and engaging world of automata to powerful explorations of identity and opportunities for artists to take the lead, there is something on offer for everyone at Falmouth Art Gallery.”

Falmouth Art Gallery is open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm, or until 4pm until Tuesday 7th April, and is closed on Bank Holidays.

For more information, visit the Falmouth Art Gallery website or follow the Gallery on Facebook or Instagram.

📷On display in the Magic of Movement Exhibition: View from Tuke’s cottage by Peter Markey, © Peter Markey