Event Calendar

MIDLANDS TEXTILE FORUM

15 May 2026 to 29 May 2026

Midlands Textile Forum are a group of artists who predominantly use textiles and/or mixed media in their practice. They live and work in central England. The Forum's aim is to develop our individual practice, and support and encourage textile based activity in the region, primarily through exhibitions

MTF's current theme for exhibitions is "On the Threshold". We are considering liminal spaces, the transition from one place/stage/state to another, and exploring our reaction to these, in addition to the literal meaning of on the threshold. Each artist will bring their own interpretation to the theme, using a wide variety of textile techniques.
Image Credit MTF member Jane Arthur

Meet the Artist Dates (Thursdays)
21st May - Janet Gilbert, Bernice Hopper and Sarah Tomlinson
28th May - Jane Arthur, Yvonne Flavell and Kate White.

Members of the Midlands Textile Forum will be at the exhibition at Atkins Gallery. The visiting artists will be demonstrating techniques, working on projects and available for chats about the Midlands Textile Forum. 10am - 3pm FREE to attend

There will be additional Saturday openings on Saturday 16 May 12.30pm to 2.30pm and Saturday 23 May 10.30am to 12.30pm

Atkins Gallery is open Monday to Friday 09:00-17:00 . Additional evenings and weekend viewings will be added here and promoted on our social media.

Essentials: HR Necessities for Business Growth

26 May 10:00-13:00

With the ever-changing landscape of HR and employment law, this workshop provides an overview of the key HR principles that you need to get right within your business. Is your HR setup supporting your business growth? Join this free local 3 hour workshop for a practical session covering:
• What to include in a contract of employment
• Key HR policies that will protect your business
• Effective performance management for a small business
• The upcoming Employment Rights Bill and what this means for businesses

To find out more and to book https://bggrowthhubevents.evolutive.co.uk/event/details/3682423/Essentials-HR-Necessities-for-Business-Growth

The Womans Journal - Focus Group

29 May 12:00-14:00

Local author and women's advocate Aimee Cheshire is hosting a Focus Group at Atkins Building on 29 May 12:00-14:00.

Do you have journaling experience or would like to explore journaling then please come and give your feedback to Aimee. Aimee is looking to create a journal to support women in their everyday and business lives. @the_womansjournal

For more details or to reserve a place at the Focus Group please text 07724 826089 or email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

NWSLC Graduate Show - BA Honours Creative Practice

8 June to 26 June 2026

The Graduate show from students of NWSLC Hinckley Campus who are completing a BA (Hons) Creative Practice.

Atkins Gallery is open Monday to Friday 09:00-17:00, Wednesday 17 June 17:00-19:00

Look out for additional evenings and weekend viewings.

Open Exhibition -The Artist’s Process

13 July to 14 August 2026

The Atkins Gallery annual Open Exhibition returns for 2026 with the theme The Artist's Process.

The Artist’s Process is an exhibition dedicated to showcasing not only finished artworks, but the unique paths artists take to create them. The aim is to highlight the depth, originality, and distinctly human nature of creative practice. Artists are invited to submit work in any medium and any style, provided they also exhibit evidence of their creative process. This exhibition champions authentic human imagination. To maintain the integrity of the theme, AI generated images or AI-driven visual creation tools may not be used in the production of submitted artworks.


Atkins Gallery is open Monday to Friday 09:00-17:00 and look out for additional evenings and weekend viewings.

The Artist's Process Exhibitor Pack

Lunchtime Recital with Castle Baroque Players

Wednesday 5 August 2026 13:00-14:00

Atkins Gallery is pleased to to have Castle Baroque Players return this summer following their fantastic debut performance in the gallery last year.

Castle Baroque Players, are an amateur historical performance group based in Leicestershire. Their aim is to combine the past and present: playing Baroque music on authentic eighteenth-century instruments, with a contemporary vitality and flair.
Artistic Director Seb Carrington leads the group with music from across seventeenth Century Italy for this performance

No need to book to attend the recital. For more information on Castle Baroque Players please visit http://www.castlebaroqueplayers.co.uk

Earl Shilton Camera Club exhibition

24 August to 4 September 2026

Earl Shilton Camera Club present their 2026 exhibition with a full members' showcase plus their non members' open photo competition.

The club has members ranging from beginners to experienced photographer’s with the common aim of improving all members' skills and sharing knowledge.

Atkins Gallery is open Monday to Friday 09:00-17:00 .
Additional exhibition opening hours
Evening viewing Wednesday 2 September

Additional evenings and weekend viewings will be added here and promoted on our social media @atkinsbuilding

Learn more about ESCC at http://www.earlshiltoncameraclub.org.uk

Fully Fashioned Memories

9 September to 18 September 2026

This exhibition celebrates the everyday factory worker at work and play with objects, photos and stories from the 1960s to 2002. Christmas parties, new babies, retirement, all elements of factory social life are captured in this collection.

Part of Heritage Open Days

Atkins Gallery is open Monday to Friday 09:00-17:00 and look out for additional evening and weekend openings

Atkins Heritage Tour

Saturday 12 September 10:00-12:00

Historic Hinckley buildings walking tour, that all have a connection to the notable Atkins hosiery family.

Great Meeting Unitarian Chapel records when the first Atkins (Robert) arrived in Hinckley in 1722 to start his business. The Atkins family continued their connection with the chapel into the 20th century.

Atkins Building, the Victorian hosiery factory built by the descendants of 1722 Robert Atkins where manufacture continued by the family until 2002.

Hinckley & District Museum, a thatched framework knitters cottage the predecessor to the factory and was owned by the Atkins Family.

To book a FREE place on this 3 building tour please email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

The tour begins at Hinckley & District Museum meeting at 10am for guest registration.

Part of Heritage Open Days 2026

Cover Uncover

28 September 2026 to 9 October 2026

Cover-Uncover is a group of contemporary artists based in the East Midlands.

Cover-Uncover brings together practices that include painting, collage, printmaking, digital art, sculpture and light installations.

Atkins Gallery is open Monday to Friday 09:00-17:00 . Additional evenings and weekend viewings will be added here and promoted on our social media.