All links to further details, or other websites are in green, and normally underlined.
Previews / Openings, and the first and last days of all exhibitions will also be shown in the Diary of Events. Details of the exhibitions are shown on this page.
Please report any errors or omissions to aaboutthornton@gmail.com or you can comment on the associated Facebook page.
Current arts related exhibitions
The Brontë Birthplace
72 – 74 Market Street, Thornton, Bradford, BD13 3HF
24 January to 29 March 2026 Artist in Residence: Garett Wilde
There are two galleries in Thornton devoted to all forms of art, South Square which is run by a registered charity, the Thornton and Allerton Community Association, plus Fountain Street Arts Project.
Fountain Street Project
2 Fountain Street, Thornton, BD13 3EW
South Square
Following a period of dereliction, in 1982, Thornton and Allerton Community Association Ltd was formed and pioneered the building’s restoration in partnership with Bradford Metropolitan District Council, the West Yorkshire Metropolitan County Council, and the Manpower Services Commission. The terraced housing was transformed by knocking through the cottages to form bigger rooms for galleries and community spaces. The centre opened in 1982 as South Square Centre, and was formally opened in 1984 by the Lord Mayor, Olive Messer.
South Square is based within a Grade II listed building originally built as a courtyard of workers’ cottages in 1832 in Thornton,
South Square has a Facebook page. Included in the Square are artists’ studios and workshops, Thornton Antiquarian Society’s Archive, a vegetarian and vegan cafe called Plenty at the Square, and a small public house, The Watchmaker, named after Harry Naylor, watchmaker, who had his workshop where the public house is. He served as an Armourer during the 1st World War, serving in France until 25 March 1919, and died in 1920, his death 100% attributable to his war service His details are shown in the WW1 biographies here.
South Square Exhibitions
Opening hours of South Square galleries: Tues – Sat 10.30am – 3pm, Sun 12pm – 3pm, Mondays closed.
10 October to 1 February 2026 OUR TURN: Our Past, Present and Future’. “This exhibition explores the past of South Square and the history of the arts industry in Bradford, and how grassroots, DIY arts organisations led to the opening of the centre. This exhibition is part of OUR TURN which takes place between 26th September – 28th January 2026 in venues and unusual spaces across the city. This festival will enable artists to be more ambitious, provide training for a new generation of culture makers and inspire a range of people to be excited by art which is ‘Made IN Bradford’. The festival will celebrate Bradford’s rich counter cultural scene and create an accessible platform which will reach new art goers in Bradford, underserved communities and loyal arts audiences”
14 November to 1 February NEET In Full Colour
NEET’s talented and playful artists share wonderfully unfiltered drawings and 3D makings. In the Community room.
6 February to 14 April 2026 Sowing Connections: A co-created community exhibition celebrating the work of the Rasi // Twine Women’s Group in Bradford.
14 and 15 February, 11am to 3pm at South Square, Community Room. Picture Frame Sale
Large selection of picture frames on sale from John Allcock’s collection. Also on Sunday. They write: “Unit 9 Artist, John Allcock will be having a picture frame sale. There will be a large selection of picture frames on sale, in good condition and suitable for prints, watercolours and canvases. In a move to a new house John is reviewing 30 years of artwork, so come along and browse the collection!”
19 and 21 February 10.30am to 1pm Children’s Craft Club: “Join us for a free craft morning, a time to build, make and create!”
14 March, 10.30am to 3pm Embroidery Workshop: Learn embroidery techniques in this workshop led by Rosie McAndrews. In the Community Room at South Square. Must be booked
Opening hours of Plenty at the Square: Tues – Sun: 9.30am – 3.30pm. Closed Mondays
1 November to 1 Feb 2026. Printmaking Showcase, featuring the OUR TURN Print Collection: A selection of prints by local printmakers, alongside the OUR TURN Print Collection.
6 February to 29 March 2026 Meetings with Remarkable Places by Murniah Skinner
6 March 2026 The Art of Eating: Paintings by Murniah Skinner, art talk and a 4-course dinner
Join artist Murniah Skinner and Plenty at the Square in this Food and Art event where paintings inspire a set menu. £55, must be booked.
See also Friends of the Square and Best Friends of the Square,
Normal opening hours of The Watchmaker: Wednesdays and Thursdays from 4pm to 9pm, Fridays from 4pm to 10pm, Saturdays from 3pm to 10pm, and Sundays from 3pm to 8pm
(last updated 24 October 2025)
All About Thornton 