Ashington Pitmen Painters inspire new PITMAN exhibition in Northumberland
Eliot Smith Dance has announced a new exhibition celebrating a decade of PITMAN and the enduring legacy of Ashington’s Pitmen Painters.
Inspired by ten paintings created by the Ashington Group, PITMAN explores creativity, resilience, community and working-class life through contemporary dance, theatrical design and a rich musical score spanning folk, jazz, swing and classical.
Originally formed by coal miners who met to study art together, the Ashington Group went on to achieve international acclaim, their remarkable story providing the inspiration for PITMAN.
PITMEN: The Exhibition will take place simultaneously at Alnwick Playhouse, Dance City and Woodhorn Museum from October 26 to November 13.
The exhibition brings together a collection of new photographic works inspired by the paintings and illustrations that have shaped Eliot Smith’s much-loved contemporary dance work since its premiere in Northumberland in 2026.
Photographed by John Lyons, the exhibition explores the relationship between the original artworks, the people and places behind them, and contemporary interpretation through dance.
The exhibition forms part of a wider programme of activity marking 15 years of Eliot Smith Dance (ESD) throughout 2026.
“The 15th anniversary is a chance to look back at what we have achieved, but also to think about where we want to go next,” said Eliot Smith, creative director of ESD.
“PITMAN is a particularly important part of that story.
"It connects so many of the things that have shaped the company — our relationship with Northumberland and the North East, my fascination with history and place, and our belief in the power of contemporary dance to tell stories and connect people.”
Alongside the exhibition, PITMAN returns to Alnwick Playhouse on Wednesday, November 11, presented in a new iteration created to mark the work’s 10th anniversary.
The 2026 production is the most ambitious version of PITMAN to date, bringing together six exceptional dancers, enhanced costumes and bespoke lighting.
Eliot Smith added: “10 years after PITMAN first premiered, it feels incredibly special to be bringing it back to Northumberland in this new form.
"The exhibition allows us to explore the work through photography, while the stage production gives audiences the opportunity to experience PITMAN again or for the first time as a live performance.”