Northern Girls mark six years together at Clonterbrook Gallery

Some of the most rewarding art in Cheshire is found not in big city institutions but in intimate rural galleries, and Clonterbrook Gallery has become a destination for collectors and curious browsers alike. This month it played host to a celebration of friendship and creativity, as the Northern Girls artist collective marked six years of working together.

The collective's new exhibition ran from 2 to 4 October 2026 in the upstairs space at Clonterbrook, bringing together a diverse mix of landscapes, abstracts and mixed media work.

Six years is a meaningful milestone for any artist group. Collectives give painters and makers the chance to share ideas, push one another and pool resources for exhibitions that might be daunting to tackle alone, and the variety of styles on show reflected that spirit of collaboration. Landscapes sat alongside abstract canvases and mixed media pieces, giving visitors plenty to discover in a single visit.

The Northern Girls show was also flagged by Visit Cheshire among the county's cultural highlights for 2026, a sign of the growing appetite for independent exhibitions outside the main towns.

For visitors, galleries like Clonterbrook offer something different from a museum trip. Work is usually for sale, artists are often on hand to talk about their practice, and the countryside setting makes a gallery visit part of a gentle day out, perhaps combined with a walk or lunch in a nearby village.

Buying original art from a local gallery is also one of the most direct ways to support Cheshire's creative economy. Every painting sold helps an artist keep working, and every visit helps independent spaces keep their doors open. Even a small purchase, a print or a card, makes a difference to a collective like the Northern Girls.

If you missed this exhibition, it is well worth keeping an eye on Clonterbrook's programme for future shows, particularly as the gallery calendar turns towards the festive season, when original art makes for a memorable gift. A painting chosen in person, in an unhurried setting, is a gift with a story attached.

Clonterbrook Gallery is near Congleton. Check the gallery's social media channels for its latest exhibitions and opening times before visiting.