The Brontë Birthplace, 72 – 74 Market Street, Thornton, Bradford, BD13 3HF
Current arts related exhibitions
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.
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.
Fountain Street Project
Current summer Exhibition
COMMON GROUND: A REMIX IN COLOUR will continue throughout the summer at Fountain Street Arts Project, with a programme of workshops, socials and special previews offering visitors the chance to view the artists’ third collaborative painting and second joint exhibition. Jessica Swift creates colourful, tactile work across painting, sculpture and mixed media, with a focus on process, intuition and how art helps us feel more like ourselves. Lauren Kelly creates layered, dreamlike work across painting, collage, photography and digital media, exploring nostalgia, hedonism, memory and the power of prettiness.
2 Fountain Street, Thornton, BD13 3EW
Ring o’ Bells
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.
6 June to 5 July Year 10 Art show at Beckfoot Thornton school
6 June to 30 August Costing the Earth: Costing the Earth aims to highlight the negative and damaging environmental effects of fast fashion on our planet.
2 July 2026, 6pm to 8pm Clay Workshop, Coil Building Decorative Bowls & Planters. Decorative bowl or planter clay workshop with artist Jess Swift £25 a ticket. Must be booked See below
4 and 5 July 2026 Sounds of Thornton see 3 images below
15 July 2026 1pm to 4pm Exploring Traditional Glass Painting at Unit 1, South Square, £85.
18 July 2026 11am to 3pm Bradford Heritage Festival at South SquareJoin us as we host a series of free events focusing on local heritage and historic traditions. The free events include: Thornton Antiquarian’s display and open studio: See a heritage display in the Community Room and hear talks from the Thornton Antiquarian Society who will have an open studio for you to explore their archive. Corn Dolly Demonstrations: from Sue Tomkins, a member of StrawCraftsmen, who will be showing you how to make your own Corn Dollies. Collage Club Drop In Workshop: Join the South Square Collage Club to learn how to make your own heritage themed collage. They’ll be some photos from antiquarians archive, plus old Bradford maps to create your own artwork, so come along and have a go for free! Make and Mend Drop in Workshop: see details below.
11am to 3pm Make-and-Mend upcycling workshop at South Square- Costing the Earth Upcycle, repair and re-love your old clothes with Cat Frances from textile experts Material Worth. FREE Drop in. They write “Give your old clothes and fabrics new life, in a space where you can slow down, make, and connect. We’ll celebrate the art of repair and reuse – proving that mending is not just practical, it’s creative, joyful, and full of meaning. No experience required, just bring your enthusiasm and creativity, with a chance to learn basic sewing skills. You can bring a piece of old clothing to repair, or make use of the fabrics provided. We’ll also provide thread and tools.”
23 July 2026 6pm to 8pm Clay Wall Hanging workshop with artist Jess Swift at South Square £25 a ticket see below
1 August 2026 11am to 12.30pm Kids Clay Portraits Workshop Make your own portrait clay sculpture! £16 At South Square
12 August 2026 11am to 12 noon Cordage making with Alice Fox – Costing the Earth Discover the art of sustainable string making in this eco-friendly introductory workshop with artist Alice Fox. At South Square FREE, booking essential.. Suitable for 16+ Working with repurposed materials, including paper, cloth and plastic, this workshop introduces the technique of cordage (string) making. Combining basic techniques with an experimental approach, this workshop has an emphasis on process and will provide you with the skills to experiment further. See illustration
20 Augut 2026 6pm to 9pm Clay Workshop, Pinch Pot Vases
Clay pinch pot workshop with artist Jess Swift £25 a ticket see below
At Plenty at the Square (opening hours Tuesday to Sunday, 9.30am – 3.30pm)
18 July to 30 August 2026 I dreamt. I draw. I stitch.
Come to the cafe and see the new exhibition of work by Saima Kaur.
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 7 February 2026)
All About Thornton 