The Best Must-See Exhibitions in Glasgow
The start of a new year always feels like a chance to see things differently. There’s something about the energy of a new year that keeps me searching for that next spark.
If you’re anything like me and looking to kickstart 2025 with some enriching experiences, here are some must-see exhibitions in Glasgow!
Two-Step | Scribbling/Scrabbling
– Media from platformglasgow
Exhibitors: Beth Shapeero and Fraser Taylor
Date: September 21, 2024 to January 11, 2025
Time: Monday to Saturday – 10 AM to 5 PM
Venue: Platform Glasgow
Phone: +44 141 276 9661
Admission Fee: FREE
Two-Step is a collaboration by artists Shapeero and Taylor, who have been working together since 2018. Their shared interest in colour and mark-making comes through in the hundreds of monotypes, drawings, and installations they’ve made together.
For this exhibition, they looked back at their ‘lockdown’ drawings, which they exchanged when they couldn’t meet in person. They picked a few to enlarge into a big 18-metre-wide piece, showing how their work has evolved as collaborators.
Pro Tip:
If you’re visiting during the day, the Platform Cafe Bar is a great spot to grab a bite, open from 9 AM to 3 PM Monday to Saturday. It also stays open for most evening and special events, so check their schedule for details.
Broken Glass Dirt and Dust
– Media from themoderninstitute
Exhibitors: Monika Sosnowska
Date: November 15, 2024 to January 15, 2025
Venue: The Modern Institute
Phone: +44 141 248 3711
Admission Fee: FREE
Sosnowska’s exhibition explores how architecture and society change, focusing on Poland’s shift from communism to democracy. She uses materials like glass, concrete, and steel, bending them to show the breakdown of both buildings and systems.
The title of the show points to Sosnowska’s focus on decay and the beauty of abandoned spaces. In this new series, she moves towards more human and plant-like shapes, turning familiar materials into forms that suggest both life and destruction.
Pro Tip:
Check out The Modern Institute’s shop for unique prints by top artists like Lisa Alvarado and Martin Boyce. It’s a great opportunity to discover new artworks while supporting the intersection of art and design.
Tape Letters Scotland
– Media from glasgowtramway
Date: October 12, 2024 to January 31, 2025
Time:
- Wednesday to Friday – 11 AM to 5 PM
- Saturday – 11 AM to 6 PM
- Sunday 11 AM – 5 PM
Venue: Greater Govanhill Community Canvas, Tramway
Phone: +44 141 276 0950
Admission Fee: FREE
The Tape Letters Scotland project looks at how Pakistanis who moved to Scotland between 1960 and 1980 used cassette tapes to stay in touch. It focuses on the personal stories shared on the tapes, gathered from interviews and informal conversations.
The project works closely with the National Library of Scotland to archive and present these tapes. Funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Tape Letters offers a glimpse into the lives and stories of those who used this method to stay connected.
Pro Tip:
Don’t miss A Giant on the Bridge on January 22, 2025, at the same venue. This powerful performance blends acoustic songwriting, Scottish hip-hop, and storytelling to explore the deeply personal journey of those returning home from prison.
The Winter Collection
– Media from gerberfineart
Exhibitors: Sir Matthew Smith, Joan Eardley, Karl Weschke, Arthur Melville, Keith Vaughan, and more
Date: November 26, 2024 to January 31, 2025
Time:
- Tuesday to Friday – 10 AM to 5 PM
- Saturday – 11 AM to 4 PM
Venue: Gerber Fine Art
Phone: +44 141 221 3095
Admission Fee: FREE
The Winter Collection features a vibrant mix of 19th to 21st-century art, with paintings, prints, drawings, sculpture, and ceramics. The exhibition includes pieces by the Scottish Colourists, Scottish modern masters, and contemporary artists.
Notable works include Sir Matthew Smith’s Girl with Parrot, an oil painting of a woman with a parrot, and Joan Eardley’s Shops & Tenements (Studio), a pastel drawing of a gritty urban scene with bold textures and colours.
Pro Tip:
While no appointment is required during opening hours, booking a specific time to visit is recommended. Call the gallery for more details and to secure your preferred time.
The Scottish Caravan, Motorhome & Holiday Home Show
– Media from caravanshowsec
Exhibitors: A M Phillip Trucktech Ltd, Bardsea Leisure, Cadac Dometic, and more
Date: February 6, 2025 to February 9, 2025
Time: 10 AM to 5 PM
Venue: Scottish Event Campus
Admission Fee: £15
If you’re planning a getaway or a road trip this event is a great place to start. It’s a chance to explore a wide range of options, from caravans and motorhomes to campervans, holiday homes, and even eco pods, all in one spot.
With over 170 exhibitors, you’ll find plenty of models to compare, whether you’re looking for something compact or more spacious. It’s also a good opportunity to step inside luxury lodges and get advice on the latest features and finishes from the manufacturers.
Pro Tips:
- Plan your visit for Thursday or Friday to beat the weekend crowds, and leave early if you’re travelling on Saturday to avoid traffic around the venue.
- If you want to stay nearby, Strathclyde Country Park offers year-round camping and is just a short drive from the venue. It’s a handy option for those bringing their own caravan or motorhome.
Van Gogh – Poets and Lovers
– Media from exhibitiononscreen
Date: February 16, 2025
Time: 2 PM
Venue: Eastwood Park Theatre & Gallery
Phone: +44 141 577 4956
Admission Fee: £10
Van Gogh – Poets & Lovers offers a 90-minute exploration of Van Gogh’s life during his time in the south of France. This period was marked by a shift in his art, with vibrant colours and symbolic storytelling inspired by themes of love and poetry.
Through his personal letters, the film reveals how his imagination transformed the world around him into meaningful and expressive works. Despite personal struggles, this was a time of immense creativity, resulting in some of his most iconic masterpieces.
Pro Tip:
Arrive early to grab a drink or snack from the café and bar before the screening. The auditorium opens just 15 minutes before, so it’s best to plan ahead.
Head in a Bell
– Media from glasgowgoma
Exhibitors: Scott Myles
Date: July 27, 2024 to February 23, 2025
Time:
- Monday to Thursday, Saturday – 10 AM to 5 PM
- Friday & Sunday – 11 AM to 5 PM
Venue: Gallery of Modern Art
Phone: +44 141 287 3050
Admission Fee: FREE
Scott Myles’ exhibition features various art forms, including painting, sculpture, and sound, exploring exchange and circulation. The main piece, Instrument for the People of Glasgow, is a sculpture made from donations by synthesiser manufacturers worldwide.
Myles and artist Oscar Prentice-Middleton have added microphones to the gallery’s air exchange system, creating live sound. This work invites visitors to think about the unseen aspects of institutions, community, and the climate crisis.
Pro Tip:
Keep an eye out for the date of the upcoming gig in March, where Scott Myles will hand over the instrument to the Glasgow Library of Synthesized Sound. Follow him on Instagram for updates on this exciting event.
Rebels and Renegades
– Media from streetlevelphotoworks
Exhibitors: Jill Furmanovsky and Sheila Rock
Date: November 16, 2024 to February 23, 2025
Time: Tuesday to Sunday – 12 PM to 5 PM
Venue: Street Level Photoworks
Phone: +44 141 552 2151
Admission Fee: FREE
Rebels and Renegades is a two-part exhibition focused on photography that captures the punk and post-punk music scene. The exhibit showcases significant moments in music history, featuring iconic bands and musicians from the 1970s to the 1980s.
The exhibition highlights portraits from the rise of punk and new wave, with images of legends like Stevie Wonder and The Ramones. It also explores the evolving music industry, featuring stars such as Grace Jones and Boy George.
Pro Tip:
Consider joining the Black and White Film Processing Course on 25th January 2025. For £50, you can learn how to process your own 35 mm B&W films, gaining hands-on experience and access to Street Level Photoworks’ processing facilities.
Whistler Pastels
– Media from hunterianglasgow
Exhibitors: James McNeill Whistler
Date: October 4, 2024 to March 2, 2025
Time: Tuesday to Sunday – 10 AM to 5 PM
Venue: Hunterian Art Gallery
Phone: +44 141 330 4221
Admission Fee: FREE
James McNeill Whistler created many drawings throughout his career using pastel crayons, starting in the 1860s and 1870s, often as studies for oil paintings. By the late 1870s, he began using pastels to create finished works, not just preparatory sketches.
The pieces in this exhibition were part of the Whistler Pastels Project, which ran from September 2022 to June 2024. This project explored Whistler’s techniques and materials, revealing new insights, though some questions still remain about his methods.
Pro Tip:
Make sure to explore the Hunterian, which offers a fascinating mix of art, history, and science across its museums. With collections ranging from the Hunterian Museum to the Mackintosh House, it’s a great spot to visit in Glasgow’s west end.
The Creative Craft Show and The Scottish Quilting Show
– Media from creativecraftshowofficial
Date: March 6, 2025 to March 8, 2025
Time: 10 AM to 4:30 PM
Venue: Scottish Event Campus
Admission Fee: £12
The Scottish Quilting Show is celebrating its 10th anniversary, giving quilters the chance to showcase their work. This year, the Voices in Cloth programme highlights South African quilting talent and raises funds to teach sewing to those in need.
With one ticket, you’ll also get access to The Creative Craft Show, where you can try activities like papercrafts, jewellery making, and knitting. You’ll also be able to explore the annual competition, along with craft products and expert demonstrations.
Pro Tip:
Treat yourself to the VIP experience for just £35 and enjoy fast-track entry, exclusive access to the Shop and Drop area, and unlimited drinks in the VIP lounge. You’ll also get special make-and-takes with Sew Confident and a Vlieseline gift!
Women On The Rocks
– Media from elsapanciroli
Date: August 28, 2024 to March 16, 2025
Time: Monday to Saturday – 9 AM to 5 PM
Venue: Kelvin Hall
Phone: +44 141 276 1450
Admission Fee: FREE
‘Women on the Rocks’ highlights the work of women in Scottish geology, whose contributions were often overlooked. Despite many challenges, they made important discoveries that were overshadowed by men.
The exhibition looks at their stories and how they contributed to The Hunterian’s collections. It was created in collaboration with The Hunterian and the Geo Natter research group, giving a chance to discover these often forgotten contributions.
Pro Tip:
If you’re looking for a quick snack or a coffee to take with you, head straight to the counter for takeaway options before you explore the West End. The café is also a great spot to relax and enjoy a meal with friends before a class.
Dirty Dancing Flowers
– Media from glasgowtramway
Exhibitors: Leanne Ross
Date: November 2, 2024 to March 23, 2025
Time:
- Wednesday to Friday – 12 PM to 5 PM
- Saturday – 12 PM to 6 PM
- Sunday – 12 PM to 5 PM
Venue: Greater Govanhill Community Canvas, Tramway
Phone: +44 141 276 0950
Admission Fee: FREE
‘Dirty Dancing Flowers’ shows a mix of painting, printmaking, and sculpture, along with a karaoke stage where visitors can sing along. The work explores the relationship between text and image, using colour and language to create playful, emotive art.
Flowers are a central theme, painted from both life and memory. Horizontal canvases are used to create dynamic pieces that capture the energy of everyday interactions, reflecting a collaborative, community-driven approach to art.
Pro Tip:
For an accessible visit to Tramway, download the Gallery Visitor Pack online or pick up a hard copy at the Box Office Reception. The pack includes useful information to help plan your visit.
‘You are my kindred spirit’
– Media from glasgowtramway
Exhibitors: Maud Sulter
Date: November 23, 2024 to March 30, 2025
Time:
- Wednesday to Friday – 12 PM to 5 PM
- Saturday – 12 PM to 6 PM
- Sunday – 12 PM to 5 PM
Venue: Greater Govanhill Community Canvas, Tramway
Phone: +44 141 276 0950
Admission Fee: FREE
Maud Sulter’s ‘You are my kindred spirit’ brings together her films, poetry, and soundworks to explore themes of history and identity. It offers a closer look at her creative process, combining family stories with photography and spoken word.
The exhibition includes films like No Oxbridge Spires and sound works such as The Alba Sonnets. Archival photos and personal memories give insight into her life, making the exhibition both intimate and thought-provoking.
Pro Tip:
For a quick bite, the on-site Café Bar serves sandwiches, soups, cakes, and drinks during Tramway’s opening hours. Just remember, it closes 30 minutes before the building does.
Digging in Another Time: Derek Jarman’s Modern Nature
– Media from hunterianglasgow
Exhibitors: Derek Jarman, Andrew Black, Luke Fowler, Jade de Montserrat, and more
Date: November 2, 2024 to May 4, 2025
Time: Tuesday to Sunday – 10 AM to 5 PM
Venue: Hunterian Art Gallery
Phone: +44 141 330 4221
Admission Fee: FREE
‘Digging in Another Time’ focuses on Jarman’s diary entries from 1989, his garden at Prospect Cottage, and his film The Garden. It also features fresh responses from artists like Andrew Black, Luke Fowler, and Jade de Montserrat.
The show also includes a range of events, such as a live performance of Jarman’s final film, Blue. These new works, funded by Creative Scotland, offer fresh insights into his exploration of place, identity, and queer history.
Pro Tip:
If you’re looking for unique souvenirs, visit the Hunterian Art Gallery Shop for books, gifts, and accessories related to the collections. For additional items, head to the University Gift Shop below the Hunterian Museum.
No More Sheep: Margot Sandeman on Arran
– Media from kelvingroveartgalleryandmuseum
Exhibitors: Margot Sandeman
Date: June 25, 2024 to June 1, 2025
Time:
- Monday to Thursday, Saturday – 10 AM to 5 PM
- Friday & Sunday – 11 AM to 5 PM
Venue: Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
Phone: +44 141 276 9599
Admission Fee: FREE
The exhibition features Margot Sandeman’s artwork inspired by the Isle of Arran. Sandeman, who studied at the Glasgow School of Art, felt a strong connection to the island, returning there for painting trips and later buying a cottage in the 1970s.
Her artworks, often focused on the island’s sheep, reflect the tranquillity and charm of the landscape and its light. The exhibition invites visitors to explore her unique perspective on Arran, capturing the calm and beauty of its scenery and wildlife.
Pro Tip:
If hunger strikes, you can choose between two café spaces in the museum. The KG Café provides a relaxing atmosphere with table service and a range of meals, while the KG Coffee Shop offers a quick snack option and a great view of the main hall.
Mimesis: African Soldier
– Media from glasgowgoma
Exhibitors: John Akomfrah
Date: October 26, 2024 to August 31, 2025
Time:
- Monday to Thursday, Saturday – 10 AM to 5 PM
- Friday & Sunday – 11 AM to 5 PM
Venue: Gallery of Modern Art
Phone: +44 141 287 3050
Admission Fee: FREE
John Akomfrah’s ‘Mimesis: African Soldier’ highlights the role of African, Caribbean, and South Asian soldiers in World War 1. It uses three screens to show a mix of old footage and new visuals, focusing on their often-forgotten contributions.
The exhibition has no spoken words but uses quotes and music to complement the images. Akomfrah combines archival footage with poetic scenes, drawing attention to how these historical events continue to affect racial issues today.
Pro Tip:
The venue offers free Wi-Fi, so you can stay connected during your visit. Be sure to ask for the login details at the entrance to make the most of your time there.
Use as Much Pressure as Possible
– Media from glasgowgoma
Exhibitors: Sam Ainsley, Scott Myles and Ciara Phillips
Date: November 2, 2023 to October 26, 2025
Time:
- Monday to Thursday, Saturday – 10 AM to 5 PM
- Friday & Sunday – 11 AM to 5 PM
Venue: Gallery of Modern Art
Phone: +44 141 287 3050
Admission Fee: FREE
‘Use as Much Pressure as Possible’ is a large-scale collaborative artwork that combines screen printing and collage. The piece spans three floors and uses the image of a saw to symbolise the idea of cutting through barriers.
The title comes from a sticker on a masonry saw and reflects the artists’ desire to push the limits of what art can do. Their collaboration grew from ongoing discussions and focusing on themes like the role of art in society and creative freedom.
Pro Tip:
If you’re visiting with kids, check out the family trails and self-led activities to make the most of your visit. Don’t miss the Art for Baby or Mini Museum Explorers sessions for interactive fun!
International Poster Exhibition
– Media from intl.international
Date: November 28, 2025
Time: Open daily from 10 AM to 6 PM
Venue: TBA (Stay tuned here)
Phone: +44
Admission Fee: FREE
Since 2014, the International Poster Exhibition has received around 47,000 entries, showing how posters express ideas and emotions. One standout from 2022 used bold colours and simple shapes to make a strong statement about sustainability.
The exhibitions aim to help people appreciate the technical, artistic, and social value of posters. With both physical and digital displays, they show the diversity and creativity of poster design, featuring work from designers around the world.
Pro Tips:
- Check out the International Poster Book each year to get a closer look at the selected posters, along with exclusive interviews and jury comments. You can easily order a copy through the INTL shop.
- Explore the selected posters online in Olympia Gallery or download the Poster World app to experience a hybrid exhibition where you can interact with designs and upload your own posters.
Oscar Marzaroli’s Gorbals
– Media from glasgowlifepresents
Exhibitors: Oscar Marzaroli
Date: August 25, 2023 to August 25, 2030
Time:
- Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday – 10 AM to 5 PM
- Tuesday & Thursday – 10 AM to 8 PM
Venue: Gorbals Library
Phone: +44 141 429 0949
Admission Fee: FREE
Oscar Marzaroli’s Gorbals exhibit is a collection of 21 historical photographs that capture life in the Gorbals during the 1960s and 70s. The images highlight the changes in the area as old buildings were replaced by new tower blocks.
The exhibition also features photos from the Crown St Camera Collective, inspired by Marzaroli’s work. It aims to connect local people and visitors with the Gorbals’ history and show how the area has changed over time.
Pro Tips:
- The library doesn’t have its own parking, so consider using nearby street parking or public transport options.
- If you’re looking for a place to study, the library offers quiet study spaces, but it’s best to arrive early to secure a spot.