The Best Art Galleries in Essex, England
The county of Essex is rich in artistic and cultural heritage. It has a strong artistic community and is home to many art galleries that are well worth a visit.
Throughout the years, Essex has produced and inspired many artists, from John Constable, the Bardfield artists such Edward Bawden and Anne Schwegmann-Fielding through to more recently, Grayson Perry.
I have listed some of the most notable art galleries in Essex to help you plan your next cultural visit.
I have included opening times for each gallery that are correct at the time of writing this blog post, but please check the latest information before your visit.
Table of Contents
Art Galleries in Finchingfield
Art Galleries in Chelmsford
Gallery 43
Gallery43 is located on Moulsham Street in the centre of Chelmsford. This gallery showcases a wide selection of sculptures, paintings and limited edition prints by contemporary British artists. Gallery43 also holds a number of exhibitions throughout the year. Gallery43 is also a shop in which to buy artwork. Admission is free, and the gallery is open Monday to Saturday 9.30am to 5.30pm.
Address: Gallery 43, 43 Moulsham Street, Chelmsford, CM2 0HY
Art Galleries in Colchester
Firstsite
Firstsite is a contemporary and visual arts gallery located in the heart of Colchester’s ‘Cultural Quarter’. This gallery is housed in a stunning, curved building, designed by the architect Rafael Vinoly. This gallery space displays regular contemporary art exhibitions that tackle all aspects of life. It also shows films and has regular workshops and events. In 2021, Firstsite was shortlisted as Art Fund Museum of the Year.
To find out more about Firstsite, please read my blog post here. Admission is free and it is open every day between 10am and 5pm.
Address: Firstsite, Lewis Gardens, High Street, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1JH
The Minories Galleries
The Minories Art Gallery is a contemporary art gallery run by Colchester School of Art. It is located opposite Hollytrees Museum along the High Street, Colchester and close to Firstsite. The Minories Art Gallery displays the art collection of the late Clarence Victor Batte-Lay, as well as a variety of works from local artists and the Colchester School of Art's Postgraduate programmes. The gallery also has a café to the rear surrounded by a walled garden. The Minories Art Gallery cafe is open daily between 12pm and 5pm. Admission is free.
Address: The Minories Art Gallery, 4 High St, Colchester CO1 1UE
The Munnings Art Museum
The Munnings Art Museum is located in Dedham to the north of Colchester. This gallery displays over 650 paintings by acclaimed artist, Sir Alfred Munnings. The collection also contains numerous sketchbooks and several thousand drawings and sketches. The museum was actually the home of Sir Alfred Munnings and it was from here that he produced many of his famous works. Sir Alfred Munnings was well known for his paintings of horses, commissioned during various Olympic events and his work for the Canadian War Memorials Fund during World War 1. There is an entry fee - £12 for adults and £26 family ticket, comprising 2 adults and up to 3 children. Although this is perhaps not a gallery suitable for families with young children. The gallery is open Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays between 11am and 3.30pm.
Address: The Munnings Art Museum, Castle Hill, Dedham, Colchester, Essex, CO7 6AZ
Sentinel Gallery
The Sentinel Gallery is located in Wivenhoe, a small riverside town, approximately 3 miles to the south-east of Colchester. Sentinel Gallery is a contemporary building, that was conceived by renowned potter Pru Green as a means of making contemporary art more accessible to the community. This modern gallery has been designed to sit comfortably within this pretty riverside town. The Sentinel Gallery hosts monthly exhibitions of paintings, prints, sculpture and drawings by upcoming artists. Admission is free, but the gallery opening times vary, so check their website first.
Address: The Sentinel Gallery, Chapel Road, Wivenhoe, CO7 9DX
Art Galleries in Finchingfield
Wonky Wheel
Wonky Wheel was launched in July 2019, and acts as a gallery, shop and an art-based education facility. This gallery has a frequent programme of exhibitions, and regularly exhibits architectural and historical landmarks of the Essex countryside. Admission is free, and it is open Wednesday to Saturday 10am to 5pm and Sunday 11am to 5pm.
Address: Wonky Wheel, The Green, Finchingfield, CM7 4JS
Art Galleries in Maldon
Hayletts Gallery
In 2021, Hayletts Gallery is operating as an online gallery, with art work viewable by appointment. Hayletts Gallery regularly hosts exhibitions from a wide range of artists. The works include paintings, prints and ceramics, from predominantly Essex and East Anglian artists, as well as modern prints and contemporary fine art from some of the UK's leading artists.
Address: Hayletts Gallery, Oakwood House, High St, Maldon CM9 5PJ
Art Galleries in Southend-on-Sea
Beecroft Art Gallery
The Beecroft Art Gallery houses the art collection of local solicitor, Walter Beecroft, who donated his collection to the people of Southend-on-Sea upon his death in 1952. Beecroft Art Gallery has a permanent collection of over 2,000 works, ranging from 17th-century Dutch artists such as Molenaer and Ruisdael, several 20th Century artists and a year-round programme of contemporary art exhibitions. Since 2014, the Beecroft Art Gallery has been housed in Southend-on-Sea’s old Central Library. Admission is free and The Beecroft Art Gallery is open Wednesday to Sunday between 11am and 5pm.
Address: Beecroft Art Gallery, Victoria Avenue, Southend-on-Sea, Essex SS2 6EX England
Focal Point Gallery
Focal Point Gallery is a contemporary art gallery located in the centre of Southend-on-Sea. Focal Point Gallery has a regular programme of contemporary art exhibitions, with a focus on locality and community. Focal Point Gallery also curates Radical ESSEX, in partnership with Firstsite, a project that re-examines the history of the county in relation to radicalism in thought, lifestyle, politics and architecture. Admission is free and Focal Point Gallery is open Wednesday to Saturday between 11am to 5pm and Sunday 11am to 4pm.
Address: Focal Point Gallery, The Forum, Elmer Square, Southend-on-Sea, SS1 1NB
Leigh-on-Sea
Leigh-on-Sea is located on the western part of Southend-on-Sea and is easily reached by road and train. The Leigh-on-Sea Art Trail is held every year (with the exception of 2020 for Covid reasons). This is a community led festival of art, normally held over two weeks, with around 70 painters, ceramicists, mixed-media artists, photographers, sculptors and embroiderers displaying their artworks across over 50 venues in Leigh-on-Sea. The event is run by the Leigh Art Trail Association, which was established to promote the artistic talents of its members, guest artists and the wider Leigh-on-Sea community.
Outside of the Leigh-on-Sea Art Trail festival, Leigh-on-Sea has numerous art galleries to visit, all within easy reach of one another, including Estuary Gallery Barge and Old Leigh Studios Gallery in Old Leigh, and Two Tree Gallery, Piece Gallery and 70 The Broadway in Leigh-on-Sea Town Centre, to name just a few.
Art Galleries in Tiptree
Sculpt Gallery
Sculpt Gallery is located within a rural setting to the south of Tiptree. This gallery is one of just a few that specialises in contemporary sculpture and ceramics, and showcases the work of established and emerging artists, including John Brown, Gus Farnes and Katherine Klug to name a few. The surrounding gardens also display a permanent collection of sculpture by international sculptor Maurice Blik. The gallery is generally open on Saturdays between 10am and 4pm, but times can vary so check first.
Address: Sculpt Gallery, Braxted Park Road, Tiptree, CO5 0QB
Art Galleries in Walton-on-the-Naze
Naze Tower
The Naze Tower is located to the north of Walton-on-the-Naze. The tower is an historic landmark that overlooks the North Sea and can be seen from as far away as Felixstowe in Suffolk. Naze Tower is arranged over eight floors and displays a variety of artwork, inspired by local landscapes and landmarks, in various mediums on each floor. There is an excellent viewing platform at the top of the tower that looks out across the North Sea, with far reaching views. The entry fee is £3 for adults and £2 for children over 4 years old. Naze Tower is open daily between 10am and 5pm, March to October.
Address: Naze Tower, The Naze, Old Hall Lane, Walton-on-the-Naze, CO14 8LE
I hope you have found my list of galleries in Essex useful. If you have visited any of these galleries, I would love to hear your thoughts or if you feel one of your favourites is missing from the list, please email me and let me know at sarahransomeart@gmail.com.
