Side Photographic Gallery

+44 191 232 2208

5-9 Side, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 3JE United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Open Today: 11:00 AM - 05:00 PM

Quick Facts About Side Photographic Gallery

Side Photographic Gallery has several strengths that make it a pleasant and enjoyable place to visit. One strength is its surprising and slightly hidden location, which adds an air of discovery and intrigue for visitors. Despite its hidden nature, the gallery is still very accessible, thanks to the presence of a lift. This makes it easy for people with mobility challenges to navigate the space.

Another strength of the gallery is its excellent shop area. Visitors have the opportunity to purchase various items such as postcards, posters, books, DVDs, and more. This enhances the overall experience by allowing visitors to take home a piece of the gallery's exhibitions and support the artists. Additionally, the presence of a small study space on the first floor is a valuable feature for those who want to delve deeper into the art and photography on display.

The exhibition space itself is another positive aspect of Side Photographic Gallery. Visitors have reported spending an hour exploring the exhibits, which indicates that there is a substantial amount of content to engage with. The ability to read all the text and study the photos in that timeframe suggests that the exhibitions are well-curated and provide ample information and visual stimulation. Additionally, the presence of cute little books where visitors can leave reviews on the work adds an interactive and communal aspect to the experience, encouraging engagement and dialogue.

The staff at Side Photographic Gallery have received positive feedback for their approachability and friendliness. Visitors have expressed appreciation for the staff's helpfulness and welcoming demeanor. Their willingness to provide brief introductions to the exhibitions indicates a commitment to enhancing the visitor experience and ensuring that everyone has a solid understanding of the works on display.

The range of themes explored through the exhibitions is another notable strength of Side Photographic Gallery. Visitors have mentioned the diverse selection of photographers whose work is showcased, with a specific highlight on Chris Killip's portrayal of life in Skinningrove. This variety allows for a dynamic and multifaceted experience, catering to different interests and tastes. The gallery's commitment to exploring various themes and subjects showcases a dedication to presenting a comprehensive and thought-provoking collection of photography.

Regarding weaknesses, the comments do not mention any significant flaws in Side Photographic Gallery. However, one comment suggests that Newcastle lacks a gallery showcasing historic photos of the city. While this is not a direct critique of Side Photographic Gallery, it suggests a potential area for improvement or expansion in terms of the gallery's future exhibitions.

Overall, Side Photographic Gallery emerges as an appealing and engaging destination for photography enthusiasts. Its hidden location, excellent shop area, accessible exhibition space, and friendly staff all contribute to a positive and enjoyable experience for visitors. With its diverse range of themes and thought-provoking exhibits, the gallery presents an opportunity for people to engage with and appreciate the art of photography in various forms.

Best TL Reviews

A surprising little gallery, slightly hidden but very accessible with a lift. Excellent shop area where you can buy postcards, posters, books or dvds and even a small study space on the first floor. The exhibition space is nice, I spent an hour going around which was enough time to read all the text and study the photos. Even had the cutest little books where you could leave reviews on the work, can’t wait to visit again.

Amazing place????

Enjoyable experience????

The staff here is quite nice and approachable.

It was really brilliant to give briefly introductions for these exhibitions at the beginning, that introductions are pretty helpful, thank you. Merry Christmas ????.

Looking forward to the upcoming exhibition❤

This gallery explores a number of different themes through a variety of photographers exhibits. But for me, the highlight and the 5 star rating goes to Chris Killip for his portrayal of life in the little fishing village of Skinningrove between 1982 and 1984. If you haven't been to the Laing gallery go see his work there documenting the lives of the Shipbuilding community in Wallsend during 1975/76. Alas Chris died last year of cancer, but he leaves an invaluable legacy. He had a great talent for portraying ordinary working people and connecting then to their environments.

Another theme explored through the current exhibition is "Lost Summer" portraits of North London teenagers who lost the opportunity to celebrate "end of year" due to Covid in 2020.

Other themes are explored in this gallery, but enough writting from me. Go check it out.

Newcastle seems to lack a gallery showing historic photos of the city. However, the current exhibition on the holocaust in (mainly) Eastern Europe was well presented but very sombre.

A fabulous hidden gem in the heart of the Quayside. V friendly and knowledgeable staff and we saw 3 fabulous exhibitions. Eventually got to see 'Baiser de l'hotel de ville' Robert Doisneau in all its glory and was not disappointed!

Beautiful gallery and great organisation. Which deserves support.

Thought provoking and one photo in particular did bring a tear to my eye, so poignant yet beautiful. Loved this exhibition and speaking personally to the photographer was a memory I’ll cherish.

Practically speaking - very safe exhibition to visit. The staff were very COVID19 savvy. I loved the chance to break the monotony of staying in.

Lovely old photography gallery with some superb shows. Almost hidden from sight but an absolute gem.