Bowes Lates

Art and culture after hours…

Experience The Bowes Museum like never before at Bowes Lates.

Step inside after hours and explore the galleries in a new light, soaking up the museum’s unique atmosphere once the doors have closed to the public.

Tickets

Tickets available via Eventbrite.

General Admission: £15 (Members go free)
Brush & Bubbles: £50 (inc admission)
DIY Designer T-Shirts: £25 (inc admission)

Special Events

Brush & Bubbles

Artist Betty Brown will introduce you to a selection of striking portraits in the Blue Picture Gallery, each featuring flamboyant hats, dramatic hairstyles and extraordinary headpieces, before guiding you to create a painting of your own.

You might choose to make a direct copy, transform the work into a self-portrait using your own face, or let your imagination take over with an entirely invented character and the most outrageous headwear you can dream up.

Throughout the session, Betty will offer practical guidance on colour, composition and technique, helping painters of all abilities grow in confidence and discover new ways of looking at the remarkable paintings in The Bowes Museum collection….all helped along by a glass of something fizzy and a bite to eat.

DIY Designer T-shirts

Inspired by Vivienne Westwood: Rebel – Storyteller – Visionary, design your own DIY Designer T-shirt in this drop-in workshop led by fashion designer Kelly Ewing. With more than 20 years’ experience, including showcasing work at London Fashion Week, Kelly combines craftsmanship and expressive design in this creative, hands-on session.

Blend art, identity and protest, explore fashion as activism, design personal slogans and customise your t-shirt using painting, printing, stencilling, and embellishment techniques.

Included in Admission

Silent Disco

Boogie to classic tunes from the 70s, 80s, 90s and 00s at the Silent Disco. Take charge of your own soundtrack as you don LED headphones and show off your best moves.

Spotlight Tour – Terrace Tour

Join Welcome Assistant, Adam, to unravel the mystery of the heraldic beasts that stand sentry on the terrace. Discover what they are and why they are at The Bowes Museum.

Spotlight Tour – The Founders’ Galleries

Join Welcome Team Supervisor, Bethan, to explore our new galleries and learn the history behind our Founders.

Spotlight Tour – Summer Solstice

On the longest day of the year, join Learning Producer Connor for an interactive exploration of the artwork and objects in our museum linked to the Summer Solstice. From Midsummer to sun gods, we’ll unpack the stories behind some of our most interesting pieces.

Artist Workshop – Sounds of the Collection

Inspired by music and birdsong, artist Jane Young will guide you in creating a unique collage using sheet music, bird imagery, stencils and coloured pencils. Create a bookmark or small keepsake inspired by the evening.

Lizzie Lovejoy: Poetry Performances

Join local poet Lizzie Lovejoy for pop-up poem performances in a variety of spaces. Across the evening quotes, reflections and observations will be collected and combined, culminating in a lively and fun final performance celebrating objects, people and place.  

No visit to the museum is complete without a visit to Café Bowes, serving a delicious food and drinks throughout the evening. Book your table ahead of time by calling 01833 690606 or emailing events@thebowesmuseum.org.uk