Events
From the Foundations is an initiative inspired by the work and values of Joe Woodhouse (1971–2022). His career as an artist and educator was characterised by a collaborative approach, a commitment to accessibility and inclusivity, and research into innovative pedagogies and approaches to art and design education. The events are part of a commemorative series in Sunderland’s galleries and cultural venues, continuing the conversations he cared deeply about and creating spaces for reflection, learning, and discussion.
Inviting contributions from art historians, writers, educators, and researchers across and beyond the field of art education, the series will be framed around six key titles: Equity, Structure, Experiment, Community, Site, and Change. This structure will support an understanding of how art education has evolved alongside political, social, and cultural shifts, and help identify paths forward that are informed by both historical context and contemporary practice. The discussions will examine how art education can evolve to better meet the needs of artists, addressing topics from the changing use and significance of studio spaces to equitable access and collaborative learning. In doing so, the series aims to generate a wider conversation on how experimentation, inclusivity, and collaborative action can inform and influence the future of art education.
The series will conclude with a publication that gathers highlights and reflections from the events, contributing to ongoing discussions about the future of art education. In addition, selected materials from the programme will be shared on the From the Foundations website. Together, these resources will support the ongoing and evolving exchange of ideas, extending the conversations initiated through the series.
Joe Woodhouse, archive image: studio photograph, 1999.
Current and Upcoming Events
National Glass Centre, Sunderland SR6 0GL
Monday 2 March – 9 May 2026
Mon - Sat, 10.00am–5.00pm
Joe Woodhouse
From the Foundations
Continuing our series of exhibitions and events celebrating the life and work of artist and educator Joe Woodhouse, From the Foundations presents drawings, photographs and films from an archive spanning more than three decades of his artistic practice. Also on display are Woodhouse’s exhibition plans, sketchbooks and notebooks, providing deeper insight into his working methods and creative processes.
Joe Woodhouse (1971–2022) was a widely respected artist and university lecturer, known for his long-standing role as Course Leader of the Art & Design Foundation at the University of Sunderland. He was a passionate advocate of collaborative practice and educational models that broaden equitable access to art and design education.
For information about the exhibition and to plan your visit, please see the National Glass Centre website.
Exhibition Midissage and Symposium
Saturday 18 April 2026 | 2.00pm–5.00pm
Join us this April for a special viewing of the exhibition, including screenings of Joe Woodhouse’s video works, followed by the symposium Community: New Art Networks Beyond the Institution. The event will feature presentations and a panel discussion exploring the shift from professional networks, often rooted in formal education, towards the emergence of alternative communities of practice. It will examine how artists can build sustainable support structures beyond traditional and often costly institutional frameworks.
This event forms part of a wider programme of talks engaging with the issues Woodhouse cared deeply about in art and design education, creating space for reflection, learning and discussion.
April Weekend: Newcastle and Sunderland
Friday 17 April – Saturday 18 April 2026
Joe Woodhouse, Untitled, 2016, graphite on paper.
We are pleased to share that work by Joe Woodhouse, shown above, will be included in Foundation Press: Starting Lines at BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art, Newcastle (18 April – 30 August 2026). The exhibition marks the first major exhibition of work by Foundation Press, run by North-East-based artists, designers and educators Adam Phillips and Deborah Bower, exploring creativity, collaboration and community.
Foundation Press was founded in 2013 by Joe Woodhouse, Adam Phillips and Tom Madge as an experimental risograph printing studio, today, Adam and Debbie create publications, educational projects, collaborative artworks and graphic design.
The private view at BALTIC takes place on Friday 17 April, followed by the symposium at the National Glass Centre, Sunderland on Saturday 18 April — a great opportunity to experience both events in one weekend.
You can read more about the BALTIC exhibition on their website.
Stay Updated
The symposiums will be held at various venues across the North East of England from 2025 to 2027. Subscribe below to stay updated on events, venues, dates, and speakers as they are announced throughout the course of this project.
Past Events
