Exhibitions
Current exhibitions
Lucian Freud's Etchings: A Creative Collaboration
Running in The Fine Gallery until 21 June 2026, peek behind the curtain of one of Britain’s most celebrated artists of the 20th century, Lucian Freud. This touring exhibition from the V&A showcases rare trial prints gathered by Freud's long-time collaborator, master printer Marc Balakjian.
Textural Form, Atmospheric Colour and History
A collaborative exhibition by David Pointer & Kathryn Thomas.
An immersive dialogue unfolds between ceramic sculpture and painting, inspired by light and horizon, as two Poole‑based artists come together for a site‑responsive exhibition created especially for Dorset Art Week.
Power of Poole
Running until August 2026, discover the spark behind the skyline of Poole Harbour, where the iconic Poole Power Station stood proud for over 45 years as a symbol of modern Britain. This exhibition brings together newly acquired objects and rarely seen items from our stores to tell the story of Poole Power Station.
Coasts in Mind: A Lifetime of Change
Explore 100 years of change in Poole Harbour using the pictures, objects and stories of the people who live here. This exhibition is rooted in local knowledge and continues to grow as new stories are shared and long-forgotten images resurface. Coasts in Mind is a Museum of London Archaeology project.
Co:Lab
Always something different. Always making history. Co:Lab takes you behind the scenes of museum-making. It's a gallery that grows and adapts. A dynamic place where community input helps guide how our histories are explored, understood, and represented.
Upcoming exhibitions
Life in Full Colour: The Art of Jason Wilsher-Mills
An exciting exhibition featuring new work inspired by Poole and Jason’s love of the seaside and maritime heritage. Think bold designs, bright colours, and art that doesn’t shy away from big ideas. Playful, powerful and proudly unapologetic, this exhibition explore's Jason's experience of disability and love of popular culture.
Dorset Arts Prize
We’re excited to showcase the finalists of the Dorset Art Prize 2026 this July.
This year’s theme, Metamorphosis, invites artists to explore transformation in all its forms across fine art, photography, digital media, film, animation, and sculpture. Discover bold, creative interpretations from both emerging and established artists in this inspiring exhibition.
Past exhibitions
Sound of the Sea
This immersive digital installation transports audiences into a mesmerising underwater world, where futuristic sea creatures respond dynamically to every movement, creating an unforgettable interactive experience. Curated in Shanghai, created across San Francisco, Paris, and Oslo, and produced from New York and LA.
Un/Common People: Folk Culture in Wessex
This exhibition celebrates the rich traditions, seasonal customs, and everyday creativity of Wessex, past and present, with every object tells a story of community, identity, and imagination. This exhibition showcases how folk culture has been reimagined and enriched by generations of makers, storytellers, and celebrators.
