Free Half Term Fun for Families at Oxmarket Contemporary Art Gallery
Looking for free things to do with the children this half term - and somewhere to stay cool during the heatwave?
Step inside Oxmarket Contemporary Art Gallery, where families can enjoy art, history, and a peaceful escape inside a beautiful 800-year-old church building in the heart of Chichester.
With its ancient stone walls and spacious galleries, Oxmarket Contemporary Art Gallery offers a naturally cooler environment on hot days - making it the perfect stop during half term for parents, grandparents, and children alike.
Cool place to visit in Chichester - Oxmarket Contemporary Art Gallery
Why Families Love Oxmarket This Half Term
Free entry for everyone
A chance to explore inspiring contemporary art together
A calm, welcoming space away from busy shops and crowds
Naturally cool medieval architecture during the warm weather
Family-friendly atmosphere in a unique historic setting
Children can wander through the galleries, discover colourful artwork, and enjoy the sense of space and creativity that makes every visit different.
Free Children’s Book Reading — 28th May
Families are also invited to a free children’s book reading on Thursday 28th May, offering a lovely chance for little ones to relax, listen to ‘Mr Woolit Finds a Friend’, and enjoy a creative half term activity.
Whether you’re looking for a quiet break from the sun, a cultural day out, or simply something free to do with the children, Oxmarket Contemporary Art Gallery is a wonderful choice this half term.
Come in, cool down, and discover something inspiring together.
Festival of Flowers - Chichester Cathedral
The Say It With Flowers Exhibition at Oxmarket this year will be in conjunction with Chichester Cathedral’s Festival of Flowers. The title ‘Natures Embrace’ is the inspiration for both events and the Cathedral have invited Oxmarket to showcase a curated selection of artwork at their special Festival of Flowers VIP Preview Evening at the Cathedral on Tuesday 2nd June.
For the Festival of Flowers, the Cathedral will be transformed by 66 extraordinary floral installations, created by more than 100 arrangers and brought to life with over 50,000 blooms. Colour, fragrance and texture will fill the historic space, offering visitors an immersive experience of beauty, reflection and renewal.
Few events capture the spirit of the Cathedral quite like the Festival. Bursting with imagination and craftsmanship, it draws thousands through the doors each year and reveals this remarkable building in fresh and unexpected ways.
Be among the first to experience this year’s festival, with arrangements inspired by the theme Nature’s Embrace. The evening includes:
• Tinwood English sparkling wine and canapés prepared by Jacaranda
• Live musical entertainment
• Full access to all floral installations
• Entry to the Philip Jackson sculpture exhibition
• Exclusive shopping at the Festival Market, plus a first look at our ‘Say It With Flowers’ exhibition highlights
Preview Evening Tickets: £60
Book Preview Tickets Now and join us for an unforgettable celebration of art and flowers.
May Half Term Free Book Reading
Join Oxmarket Contemporary in Chichester City Centre for a free event in May Half Term with the reading of ‘Mr Woolit Finds a Friend’. Hilary Charlesworth is a local author and Sally Marien is a local illustrator. Perfect book key stage 1 children
The Daffodil Days - an evening with author Helen Bain
In 2019 Oxmarket held an exhibition of work by RJ Lloyd. Lloyd illustrated Ted Hughes book ‘The Cat and the Cuckoo’. Alexis at The Sussex Bookshop in South Street will be stocking a delightful book called The Daffodil Days written by Helen Bain which is about a year in the life of Ted Hughes and Sylvia Platt.
Alexis says ‘Join us for an evening of conversation with Helen Bain, author of The Daffodil Days, a beautifully descriptive, lyrical novel depicting a pivotal year in the marriage of one of literature's most infamous power-couples, Ted Hughes and Sylvia Plath.
It is an intimate portrait of this enigmatic pair, focusing on Sylvia, an imposing, highly educated American woman - as seen through the eyes of her rural neighbours, the shopkeepers, the church bell-ringers, the GP and the postman, in the cloistered Devon community of the 1960s that she has chosen as her home’.
Helen Bain will be reading from her book and signing copies on Friday 24th April at The Assembly Room in Chichester. If you would like to attend then please book a ticket below.
Open Call - Say It With Flowers
EXTENDED DEADLINE - Open Call for Say It With Flowers 2026 - Sheryl Pape the founder and organiser for Say It With Flowers Exhibition invites you to an Open Call for artwork to be held at Oxmarket in June. This year the exhibition will be across both of our gallery spaces and will coincide with the Festival of Flowers at Chichester Cathedral. Say It With Flowers theme this year will be Nature’s Embrace in line with the Cathedral’s theme. The new deadline for submission is 15th May 2026.
Chichester Open Studio - Open Call
Call for Artists. Chichester Open Studios is delighted to invite local artists to be a part of the eagerly awaited Chichester Open Studios Art Trail 2026, 25th Anniversary.
This respected tradition celebrates the incredible talent residing in the Chichester City Area and the organizers are now calling for artists to register.
Key Details: Registration Dates: The registration period opens on, October 10th, 2025 and closes at midnight on November 30th. Art Trail Dates: The Chichester Open Studios Art Trail 2026 is scheduled for May 16th, May 17th, May 23th, May 24th, and Bank Holiday May 25th, promising an insight into the working studios of artists for art enthusiasts and the wider community. This remarkable event offers a unique opportunity for local artists to open their doors and showcase their creative talents and is an opportunity for art collectors to buy unique works. The Art Trail will feature an anticipated 150 exhibiting artists and to guide visitors along the Art Trail, 20,000 full-colour guides will be printed.
The Chichester Open Studios Art Trail has a legacy dating back to its establishment in 2001, making it a well-respected and long-running event in the local art scene. Artists who wish to participate will be required to pay a registration fee of £120, which grants them a featured entry in the guide, a valuable resource for both artists and art lovers.
As a special highlight leading up to the main event, a "Snap-Shot" exhibition will be hosted in the prestigious John Rank Gallery and across the Wilson Gallery at Oxmarket Contemporary, East Street, Chichester, during April. This exhibition promises an intriguing preview of the artistic diversity and creativity that will be on display during the Art Trail. The Chichester Open Studios Art Trail is not only a celebration of art but also a testament to the thriving artistic community within the region. It offers artists the chance to connect with a broader audience and art enthusiasts the opportunity to immerse themselves in the local art scene. For artists interested in joining this prestigious event and for more details on registration, please subscribe to the newsletter: chichesteropenstudios.org
Finalists' Portraits from Sussex Portrait Artist of the Year
The Oxmarket Gallery is set to host a striking exhibition featuring the finalists' works from the Sussex Portrait Artist of the Year competition. This follows a thrilling live painting challenge that showcased the incredible talents of nine portrait artists.
The competition, held at The Venue on Chapel Road, was organized by Louise Duggan, founder of Sussex Creative Art Network CIC, under Chichester Creative Art Network (Chichester CAN) as a fundraising event for Sussex Creative Art Network CIC. It brought together a dynamic group of artists—Tim O’Brien, Adrian Sensicle, Mandy Worster, Jake Fern, Tracey Cranidge, Jodie Drew, Maria Huxstep, Tim Bidwell, and Helen Stone—who each faced the challenge of capturing the essence of three well-known sitters: musician Dunstan Bruce, comedian Rich Wilson, and actor Richard Campbell. With just four hours to create their pieces, the artists worked under the watchful eyes of a captivated audience of 200 spectators.
After careful deliberation, an esteemed judging panel crowned Jake Fern as the winner for his powerful portrait of Dunstan Bruce, former lead singer of anarcho-punk band Chumbawamba. Tim Bidwell secured second place with his compelling depiction of Rich Wilson, while Jodie Drew took third with her striking portrait of Richard Campbell.
The competition was judged by three accomplished figures in the art world: Wendy Barrett, Sky Arts Portrait Artist of the Year winner; Amy Dury, a former Sky Portrait Artist of the Year participant; and Eden Maseyk, co-founder of Helm Gallery. Their expertise and keen eye for artistic excellence ensured a fair and insightful selection process.
Now, art lovers have the unique opportunity to view these outstanding portraits up close at the Oxmarket Gallery. The exhibition will run from 1st April – 13th April offering visitors the chance to experience first hand the skill, creativity, and passion that defined this year's competition.
For more information about the exhibition, please visit www.sussexpaoty.com
Artist Meet Up at Oxmarket
Artists Meet Ups and Networking with Chichester CAN
This month, we're teaming up with Oxmarket Contemporary, who have kindly invited us to join them—along with tea, cake, and drinks!
Our artists meet-ups are a space for local artists to connect, share, and support one another. Whether you're looking for creative inspiration, professional advice, or just a friendly chat with like-minded people, these gatherings foster a strong sense of community and collaboration.
Let’s build a supportive network where artists can grow, inspire, and thrive—together!
Location: Oxmarket Contemporary Gallery, Chichester
Date: March 18th
Time: 4.30pm - 6pm
This is a free event
4.45pm A short introduction from Chichester CAN
Followed by an artist introduction, giving you the opportunity to share,
What it is you do. Mediums, style etc
Any upcoming exhibitions you are in and want to share.
Areas you need help from the group.
We will wrap up the meeting with time to connect, exchange ideas, and get to know fellow artists.
