Get ready for a visual adventure! The Isle of Man Arts Council and Manx National Heritage have come together to bring Art Adventures for Beginners to life, opening Saturday 14th February at the House of Manannan in Peel. The exhibition invites you to explore a kaleidoscope of colour, creativity and curiosity, inspired by the Arts Council’s vibrant Modern and Contemporary Loan Collection.
Art Adventures for Beginners is all about breaking down barriers and opening the door to the world of art for everyone, no matter your age, background, or experience. Designed to be hands-on, relatable, and packed with playful prompts, the exhibition encourages kids (and grown-ups) to explore, imagine, and create. Through colourful displays, familiar objects and a few surprises, visitors are invited to get curious, ask questions, and maybe even dream up their own masterpieces. Whether you’re an art lover or a total newcomer, this exhibition is all about jumping in, having fun, and seeing what catches your eye. No stuffy rules. No wrong answers. Just a chance to look, laugh and discover art.
The creative teams at the Isle of Man Arts Council and Manx National Heritage have worked collaboratively to curate an exhibition that is bold, playful and colourful – transforming the gallery into an inviting, informal space where art can be explored in an engaging and accessible way.
What will you spot first? A bold red Bedlington Terrier, a boy hidden in a fish, a bright pink ghost, or a shiny smiling face called “Yin & Yin”? Maybe you’ll be drawn to David Hockney’s fairytale prints, Patrick Caulfield’s Three Sausages, or the dizzying eye of Marc Quinn’s Heliosphere. There’s also a “dressed lobster” waiting to be found. And if you’ve ever wandered past the giant Three Legs sculpture at the airport, you’ll even spot a work by Bryan Kneale.
The Isle of Man Arts Council’s Loan Collection began in 1993, thanks to artist and teacher David Fletcher, who, together with fellow artist Eileen Schaer, travelled the UK and beyond to build a treasure trove of contemporary art. Today, it features work by household names such as Damien Hirst, Tracey Emin, Anthony Gormley, Sir Michael Craig-Martin and Dame Paula Rego, alongside Manx and UK artists who challenge the way we see the world.
Suzanne Walker, Arts Project Co-ordinator for the Isle of Man Arts Council, said: “We are really excited to get down to the basics of Modern and Contemporary Art in this exhibition. Do you like what you see? Can you appreciate the skill? How do the artworks make you feel? Art is something that brings so much joy to the world – come and visit for a little bit of colour and culture.”
Katie King, Manx National Heritage’s Curator for Art and Social History, added: “This is the perfect exhibition for anyone, whether you’re discovering art for the first time or coming back for another look. With over 40 works on show and a lively, welcoming design, we’ve created an exhibition that encourages curiosity and exploration. Just bring an open mind and a sense of adventure. This is really what our Your Exhibit programme is all about – creating engaging, hands-on exhibitions through our in-house expertise, in partnership with artists and organisations.”
Art Adventures for Beginners opens Saturday 14th February 2026 at the House of Manannan, Peel, and runs until Sunday 17th May 2026. The exhibition is part of the Manx National Heritage You Exhibit programme, which gives artists, community groups and organisations the opportunity to propose exhibitions in Manx National Heritage’s temporary exhibition spaces.
Open daily 9:30am–4:30pm. Admission is free, with donations welcome.
ENDS
The Isle of Man Arts Council
The Isle of Man Arts Council was set up in 1965 to support the work of local amateurs and professionals as well as visiting artists. It funds many organisations and offers advice and information to hundreds of people every year, encouraging and enabling participation and development in all aspects of the arts.
Membership of the Arts Council is voluntary. Members give their time freely to serve the people of the Isle of Man by developing and improving the knowledge, understanding, practice and access to the arts in all its forms. The Arts Council is a sponsored body of the Department of the Education, Sport and Culture.
Current members
The current chair of the IOM Arts Council is Mrs Sarah Maltby MHK.
Current Council members are: Sharon Walker, Ben Heath, Steven Daykin, David Kilgallon, Fiona Edwards, Peter Shimmin, Joff Whitten and Jo Davies.
See all council member bios here: https://www.iomarts.com/who-we-are/members
National Joint Strategy for Culture and the Arts
The IOM Arts Council and Culture Vannin have a shared vision to promote and develop arts and culture on the Isle of Man. Whilst we work together to do this through our Joint National Strategy, we do so in very different and wholly distinct ways.
Read more about our initiatives here: https://www.iomarts.com/national-strategy