As part of the renovation of our Grade II listed buildings, we’re having a clean ✨ Since 1913, the Gallery’s sign has looked across Sheep Street and 112 years’ of soot and smog have taken their toll. Traffic, Kettering’s industrial past, and trains from the railway station have all left a mark. ⬇️

We had such a great time at Doodler's Art Club on Saturday ☺️ We were inspired by Alfred East Gallery's collection, made our artworks of our own, and got cosy next to Kettering Library's Christmas tree🎄 Thanks to all the doodlers who came along!

Congratulations to Daniel Kelly, winner of 2025's Rose Bowl Award Each year, Kettering Civic Society recognises a local organisation or individual for their work in promoting civic pride in our town. Daniel was chosen for his paintings of William Knibb. A talented local artist ☺️

A look inside Alfred East Gallery in the late 1970s for #FlashbackFriday 👀 The annual exhibition from @kdas_1905 is underway, showcasing the best local artists of the time. The exhibition catalogue is a whole TEN PENCE and visitors are pointedly reminded there's no smoking in the Gallery🚭

As we prepare for sub zero temperatures, we're thinking of Sir Alfred East and his love of the changing seasons. His etching, A Winter's Night, captures the darkness of colder months and a hint of snow on the rooftops We've always been fond of his etchings❤️There are over 40 in Alfred East Gallery

A burst of summer colours on this dreary grey day🌞 Michael Harrison's exhibition at The Shoosmith Gallery opened this week, giving us the perfect excuse to share his oil painting, "High Summer". Donated to Alfred East Gallery in 2013, its the perfect antidote to today's downpour. ⬇️

Walking down Sheep Street... and what's this?👀 A new screen has been installed, reminding people of the services provided by Kettering Library and Alfred East Gallery. A little slideshow highlights exhibitions and events from recent years... and there will be lots more to come☺️

Remember, remember the fifth of November🎆🎇 In 1980, Nicola Perkins won first prize in Group 1 of the Young Artists' exhibition for this drawing. Her prize? Four whole pounds!😲 Forty five years later and "I Enjoy Guy Fawkes Night" is still part of Alfred East Gallery's collection❤️

If you’re walking down Sheep Street, spare a thought for the 2 Darrens and Jason👷‍♂️ They’re on the roof of Kettering Library and Alfred East Gallery, using traditional methods to restore our Grade II Listed buildings The first slates are on. Our journey towards reopening continues.

We are one step closer towards reopening - the first Collyweston slates were installed onto the roof of Kettering Library this week. Work is progressing well under the tent👷‍♂️The restoration of Kettering’s heritage buildings is beginning to take shape. More details👉 bit.ly/4oQugwi

Ey up mi duck!👋 It's Northamptonshire Day on Saturday and we're representing Kettrin' 😎 Celebrate the county with us in Northampton's Market Square from 1pm Local food & drink😋Live music🎶Family fun🕺 See you there me ol' booty👍 discover-northamptonshire.co.uk/northants-day #NorthamptonshireDay

This view down Workhouse Lane (now Dryden Street) reveals how much Kettering's streets have changed over time. Part of Alfred East Gallery's collection, it was drawn by John Blackwell in 1986. ⬇️

#FlashbackFriday January 2019, and we're installing the Prints Charming exhibition in Alfred East Gallery 🖼️ This photo captures the hanging of In Mevagissey Harbour by Frank Jowett. Its gilt frame requires heavy lifting and careful manoeuvring. ⬇️

We're excited to be representing Kettering at this year's Northamptonshire Day🎉 📅Sat 25th Oct from 1pm 📍Northampton Market Square The Museum and Gallery team will be in the Heritage Zone, showcasing Kettering's collections. 👉 discover-northamptonshire.co.uk/northants-day #NorthamptonshireDay

Meet Jon 👷‍♂️ A lead plumber for 40 yrs, Jon has been to some unexpected places. From making King Richard III’s new coffin, to restoring the golden Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem, he's spent his career conserving heritage And now he’s in Kettering. The Library’s roof is in safe hands😊

What happens when two Grade II listed buildings need their roofs replaced? See for yourself in our virtual tour: 📽️ bit.ly/4h5RSdF A chance to see the latest progress on the restoration project of Alfred East Gallery and Kettering Library @nnorthantscouncil.bsky.social

Did you catch a glimpse of last night's Harvest Moon?✨ Alfred East loved the changing seasons. He would have relished the chance to paint last night's moon. This oil painting, "Misty Moonrise", was created during the month of October somewhere in France. ⬇️

Open to the elements, the roof of Kettering Library is looking very different. As we head into Autumn, work can continue under the tent whatever the weather. The Collyweston slate has now been completely removed and the timber beneath is entirely exposed. ⬇️

We'll be celebrating the county's heritage at this year's Northamptonshire Day🎉 Find the teams from Alfred East Gallery and Manor House Museum at Northampton's Market Square on Saturday 25th October 😊 More details👉https://discover-northamptonshire.co.uk/northants-day/

High up on the roof of Alfred East Gallery, work continues to go full steam ahead👷‍♀️ The old felt was stripped away, and underneath they found… another 2 inch thick layer of yet more felt 😳That’s a lot of felt! This was also removed, revealing the original brickwork and glazed areas. ⬇️

Doodler's Art Club returns TOMORROW🎉 And we have FREE activity sheets available now in Kettering Library and ARTworks 😀 Pick up our October daily doodle calendar to take part in a new drawing challenge. Tag us at #ALFREDEASTSDOODLERS so we can see what you create! More info👉https://bit.ly/4iWSRgn

‼️Doodler's Art Club returns this Saturday‼️ Let's get doodling🙌After a summer break, we're back with a different theme each month, inspired by the Museum and Gallery collections. Join us! 📅Last Saturday of the month ⏰2pm - 4pm 📍In the extension behind Alfred East Gallery with Kettering Library

We wandered into the woods last night for an unforgettable art installation Tipping Point by Luke Jerram is an immersive journey through a forest fire using surround sound and lights to create an atmosphere of wonder and dread. A thoughtful and unique experience, well worth seeing ⬇️

The weekend felt like this painting☔ Alfred East loved weather and was always capturing it in his art. "Newby Bridge, Windermere" shows three figures battling the wind and rain... we know the feeling😒 Donated by East in 1913, one of almost 1,000 artworks in Alfred East Gallery's collection.

#FlashbackFriday... when Alfred East Gallery became a cinema 🎥🎬 Once a month between 2017 and 2020, the Gallery was transformed into a cinema for our popular Film Nights. We screened over 30 films, showing everything from David Lynch to arthouse horror, British New Wave to art documentaries. ⬇️

A peek behind the scenes at our preparations for Heritage Open Days👀 The team from Alfred East Gallery will be in Manor House Gardens on Friday 19th September, ready to answer your questions on the history of the Gallery and Kettering's art collection. More details👉 bit.ly/46dV2rF

📢Roof Renovation - Latest Update!📢 It’s been a busy summer at Kettering Library and Alfred East Gallery as the project continues. We’ve had a close look at the cupola, more scaffolding, and a focus on our beloved Gallery. Keen to know more? Our latest round-up is here: bit.ly/4p1ulOm

Alfred East Gallery had a blast last night at the opening of Northants & Rutland Open Studios Central Exhibition at Lamport Hall never disappoints. A showcase for local creative talent. Open until Oct 4 Great to see new faces and old friends. We can't wait to be involved when we reopen in 2026.

#OnThisDay in 1928, Walter Bonner Gash died at just 59 yrs old. Artist, teacher, and father - Gash's children often posed for his paintings. His daughter Margaret is likely to be the subject of this untitled oil from Alfred East Gallery's collection. You can read her memories here: bit.ly/4fZhc4h

As our roof renovation project continues, we’re giving you the unique opportunity to see Kettering Library and Alfred East Gallery from an entirely different perspective👀 For Heritage Open Days, join us for a tour of the historic rooftops of Sheep Street. Full details here: bit.ly/46dV2rF

#FlashbackFriday and the perfectly normal sight of a car being driven into Alfred East Gallery🤯 1972 and Mr Pat Thornton drives his Austin 7 up the Gallery's steps, ready for the "Kettering in the Twenties" exhibition. Anybody remember this? Careful of the oak doors, Pat! We're quite fond of them❤

Perched on top of the roof since 1904, the cupola of Kettering Library has become an iconic feature of our town’s skyline. ⬇️

Visitors to Alfred East Gallery will remember our exhibition spaces and their high ceilings, which tower several metres above the floor. While this impressive scale provides impact to everyone who enjoys our exhibitions, it can prove to be dangerous to anybody working on the roof. ⬇️

🧚‍♂️One of our fairy doors is missing🧚‍♂️ Last seen in Manor House Gardens on Thursday morning, Fairy Door No. 4 has now gone missing😱If you know the whereabouts of this important and much loved element of our Fairy Door Trail, please return it to us - no questions asked.

With scaffolding now complete on Alfred East Gallery, work to replace the roof is ready to begin👷‍♀ The current roof is old and tired. Unlike Kettering Library next door, the Gallery roof has no Collyweston slate and is mainly flat, covered with felt and lead.

✨We use Kettering's art collection to inspire a new generation of kids✨ "Poppies" by Ian Corfe-Stephens has been in Alfred East Gallery since 1979. Ian is now in his 80s and still creating art. When we spoke to him recently, he remembered this print: "That's the one with the hare, isn't it?" ⬇️

#FlashbackFriday Its 1884 and the corner of Bowling Green Road and Sheep Street looks very different. Before Kettering Library and Alfred East Gallery, there was Smith's Iron Foundry. Also known as Royal Ironworks, you can see its tall chimney on the left, standing where the Library stands now👀

The weather is looking good for tomorrow's Kettering by the Sea!☀️ We’re bringing the Romans back to Kettering⚔️Emboss your own jewellery, chat to us about the Museum's archaeology collection and discover genuine artefacts in our mini sandpit dig. Find us on the Market Place from 10am until 3pm ⛱️

‼️Only a few spaces left for this week's workshop‼️ This Thursday, join us in ARTworks at Newlands and make a three-dimensional coral sculpture. With the afternoon session now SOLD OUT, we only have a handful of places left for the AM session. Head here to book👉 bit.ly/3UysbYN

31/7/1913. Alfred East Gallery opened it's oak doors for the first time Stella Benford's painting captures the centenary celebrations in 2013. Now 112 years old, we are excited to welcome visitors back through the Gallery doors when we reopen in 2026.

🎶Oh we do like to be beside the seaside!🎶 Let's hit the beach! We're at Kettering by the Sea until 3pm today, with free craft activities and lots of sunshine!☀️ Our award-winning outreach programme is underway for summer 2025, and we have so much planned for families: bit.ly/4iWSRgn

The teams from Kettering Library and Alfred East Gallery enjoyed a new experience recently... we climbed onto the roof!😲 A unique perspective on the buildings where we work, and a close-up look at Kettering's heritage. ⬇️

Our AWARD WINNING summer outreach kicks off with the Paint Experiments workshop on Weds 23rd July An engaging art class led by experienced facilitators from the Museum and Gallery - all in the safe community space at ARTworks Booking is essential: bit.ly/4iWSRgn

With scaffolding and a temporary tent now in place, the project to replace the roofs of the Kettering Library and Alfred East Gallery has taken another step forward👷‍♀️🛠️ Our latest update explains all: bit.ly/4m16BYB @nnorthantscouncil.bsky.social

🏆AWARD WINNERS🏆 The Museum and Gallery team are over the moon - we won the Community Wellbeing category at the Northamptonshire Heritage Forum Awards for our popular Outreach programme🎉🥳 Full story here: bit.ly/44I1nK2 ⬇️

Peter Watts was aged 14 when he painted "Kettering Church and Art Gallery"🖼️ That was 1967. "Its hard to believe all those years have passed by", Peter told us, but its still recognisable almost 60 yrs on. Looking along Sheep St, with Kettering Library and Alfred East Gallery on the right. ⬇️

A busy few days for the Museum and Gallery team - we've been preparing our summer outreach programme🌞 If you're looking for fun, creative activities for the family during the summer holidays, then look no further. 👉https://bit.ly/4iWSRgn

On a Saturday afternoon in 1945, CD Brown climbed the spire of Kettering's parish church. Looking out across his town, he set to work with his pencil✏️ His drawing is now invaluable insight into how #Kettering has grown. 80 yrs ago the town was much smaller, barely stretching far up Northampton Rd ⬇️

#romanfest2025 We came... we saw... we conquered! We were at Chester House Estate over the weekend for their annual Roman celebration. Alongside Corby Heritage Centre we welcomed a staggering 1,500+ people under our gazebos Thanks to all who stopped to chat with us 😊

Ave Caesar!⚔️ This weekend, the centurions from the Museum and Gallery team will be at Chester House Estate for Roman Fest Join us and Corby Heritage Centre to: 🔹Learn about Kettering and Corby’s Roman collections 🔸Handle roman objects from our loan boxes 🔹Design a Mosaic 🔸Make your own brooch