Rugby Collection 80 years - Rugby Art Gallery & Museum
2026 Exhibitions
The Rugby Collection - Eighty years in the making
21 February - 6 June 2026
Encounter artistic icons and hidden gems in this landmark exhibition of the entire
Rugby Collection! Over 250 remarkable works, including artworks by Paula Rego,
Lucian Freud, L.S. Lowry, Lubaina Himid, Gillian Wearing, and some of our newest acquisitions. This rare display unveils the collection’s full breadth, spanning eight decades of artistic exploration. Eighty Years in the Making is your chance to
experience The Rugby Collection like never before!
Gizmobots - Found Object Robot Sculptures
20 June - 9 September 2026
Gizmobots are found object robot sculptures made by artist Mark Haig. Each sculpture is carefully crafted to bring each of the objects together as
a whole, bearing in mind their age, colour, texture and style. Some of the sculptures are purely decorative whilst others have functions such as being a lamp, radio or music player.
Paula Rego - Visions of English Literature
19 September - 21 November
Explore the extraordinary imagination of one of the great artists, printmakers and storytellers of our time. Paula Rego: Visions of English Literature will present three of the artist’s most ambitious series of graphic works; Jane Eyre, Nursery Rhymes and Peter Pan. Each series will be accompanied by a variety of personal items from the artist, many of which have never been publicly displayed before. Unseen preparatory sketches, etching plates and Rego’s very own childhood copy of Peter Pan will offer audiences an intimate portrayal of the artist’s lifelong fascination with literature and an insight into how the artist transformed this material into startlingly original, rebellious and unexpected images.
The Rugby Open 2026
Dates to be confirmed
The Rugby Open Exhibition brings together a range of high-quality contemporary art and is open to anyone from complete beginners, to emerging talent and professionals in the region. The exhibition includes a variety of artwork ranging from paintings and photographs to sculptures and textiles, meaning there is something for everyone to enjoy.
Local History Gallery
Finds from the Stores
Until 11 April 2026
A chance to see more finds from the nearby Roman settlement of Tripontium.
100 years of Rugby Radio
15 April - 3 October 2026
Rugby Radio Station was established by the General Post Office in 1926 to provide 24-hour radio telegraph communications over a worldwide range. To mark the 100th anniversary we look back at the station’s history, charting its early transatlanticcommunications and heyday in the 1950s.
British Thomson Houston in Pictures Rugby Collection - Eighty years in the making
Opening October 2026
Photographs from our archive of the publicity department at Rugby-based engineering company British-Thomson-Houston Co. Ltd.

'Woven from the Field' is a celebration of land, creativity and sustainable practice, this inspiring exhibition showcases the work of willow weaver Sue Kirk and textile artist Rosalind Stoddart. Using materials sustainably grown and gathered from their own land, the artists present striking large-scale sculpture, intricate basketry, and contemporary hand-woven wall pieces made with alpaca fleece dyed using natural plant dyes. Blending heritage techniques with a bold, modern aesthetic, the exhibition reflects a deep connection to nature and a shared commitment to working in harmony with the environment.
