Spotlight Tour: The Pitmen Painters
The Ashington Group Gallery
The Ashington Group, also known as the Pitmen Painters, produced hundreds of paintings showing what life was like both above and below ground for their mining communities in Northumberland.
Experience the world of the Pitmen Painters, the famous amateur art group from Ashington
The Ashington Group, also known as the Pitmen Painters, produced hundreds of paintings showing what life was like both above and below ground for their mining communities in Northumberland.
They began as an art appreciation class in 1934, through the WEA (Worker's Education Association). Their tutor wanted them to learn about art through 'doing' so the group started to paint.
Over the next 50 years the group met weekly, experimenting with techniques and materials. The story of the Ashington Group would later inspire Lee Hall's famous play 'The Pitmen Painters'.
"Start painting it's as simple as that." - Oliver Kilbourn, Pitmen Painter.
The Ashington Group Collection is on permanent display in a dedicated gallery with the support of the Ashington Group Trustees.
