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City Lit Gallery

Exhibition programme

A unique space serving as an exhibition venue and teaching environment, showcasing the creative work of learners and the wider City Lit community.

Opened in 2019 by London Mayor Sadiq Khan, the City Lit Gallery is a purpose-built, non-commercial space that celebrates the diverse creativity of City Lit learners. Drawing inspiration from the wide range of subjects taught at the college, the gallery hosts annual exhibitions, group critiques, and artist talks, encouraging students to share their work with the public and engage in meaningful artistic dialogue.

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Walls & Floors

19-26 July 2025

A showcase of student work from the City Lit Fine Arts students year 2 and 3 at the Gerald Moore Gallery. 

City Lit Exhibition City Lit Exhibition

Being

3-13 October 2025

The Mental Wealth Festival presents a special 
exhibition on the theme of ‘Being’ featuring 
work by artists from across the City Lit creative 
community. As a focal point of the festival, the 
art works on show invite reflection on existence, relationships, emotions and wellbeing – and the role of creativity in connecting to ourselves, each other and the world.

Home Art ExhibitionHome Art Exhibition

The Story Starts Here

8-24 September 2025

A collaboration between City Lit's Children's Writing and Children's illustration departments featuring the history of the courses, work from alumni, and an interview with City Lit Fellow Malorie Blackman.

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Walls & Floors

19-26 July 2025

A showcase of student work from the City Lit Fine Arts students year 2 and 3 at the Gerald Moore Gallery. 

City Lit Exhibition City Lit Exhibition

Capture the moment

15-22 July 2025

The latest exhibition in the City Lit Gallery features work from ‘Advanced Painting: Practice and Discourse Year 2’. Some beautiful pieces on show exploring street scenes, the connection to the natural world and more.

Home Art ExhibitionHome Art Exhibition

Advanced basketry and contemporary jewellery

10-14 July 2025

A showcase of student work from the advanced basketry and contemporary jewellery students.

Home Art ExhibitionHome Art Exhibition

Atramento Sem

July 2025

A showcase of student work from the advanced printmaking practice and discourse.

City Lit Exhibition City Lit Exhibition

Walls & Floors

July 2025

A showcase of student work from the second year of the Fine Art course at City Lit, featuring a range of creative approaches and media. This exhibition highlights the development and individuality of emerging artists.

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UNCOMMON GROUND

26-28 June 2025

City Lit Ceramics Diploma Graduation Show at Crafts Council Gallery. The work spans functional ceramics to abstract sculpture, reflecting our individual styles and technical skills. This exhibition celebrates not only the students' journey but also the legacy of the City Lit Ceramics Diploma.

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Advanced Children's Book Illustration

June 2025

New exhibition showcasing the work of illustrators from the Advanced Children's Book Illustration course. Discover a diverse collection of stories brought to life through captivating visuals and unique artistic voices.

City Lit Exhibition City Lit Exhibition

Proto

18-21 June 2025

PROTO is the final exhibition of City Lit’s Foundation Diploma in Art & Design, showcasing the creative journeys of 32 emerging artists. Held at The Department Store in Brixton, the exhibition features a dynamic mix of sculptural fashion, moving image, and more. It celebrates a year of transformation, resilience, and artistic discovery, highlighting the power of art education to inspire personal and creative growth across generations.

Home Art ExhibitionHome Art Exhibition

Home

5-16 June 2025

A City Lit Art School exhibition curated by Russell Tovey. ‘Home’ brings together works from across the City Lit Art School. It incorporates many diverse art disciplines, such as paintings, screenprints, sculptures and mixed media installations. 

City Lit Exhibition City Lit Exhibition

In Process

May 2025

Work in progress by City Lit advanced painting students.

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Deaf History exhibition

April 2025

A powerful showcase led by Deaf historian and City Lit BSL tutor Peter Brown, exploring Deaf history and culture as part of City Lit’s Deaf Day celebrations.

ExhibitionExhibition

Ticky Tacky

5-12 April 2025

A new exhibition by students from the Developing Art Practice course, showcasing bold and thought-provoking creative work at the City Lit Gallery.

City Lit Exhibition City Lit Exhibition

Ceramics end of year show

26 March- 4 April 2025

This work-in-progress features work from City Lit ceramics students.

ExhibitionExhibition

Collections

March

This work-in-progress show features work from our talented artists at the Art & Design Foundation Diploma.

Home Art ExhibitionHome Art Exhibition

Read Your Way

6-11 March 2025

An exhibition in celebration of World Book Day.  Choose from over 50 books, all made by talented alumni and present tutors.

ExhibitionExhibition

Threads of Solidarity: Human Rights and Justice

13-25 February

This exhibition is created by Bordando por la Memoria, a transnational textile collective of Chileans. The exhibition responds to Augusto Pinochet’s brutal dictatorship. Read more on our blog

City Lit Exhibition City Lit Exhibition

Work in Progress

29 January-12 February 2025

Work in progress by City Lit students from various visual arts classes.

ExhibitionExhibition

Wouldn't You Rather Talk Like Us?

December-January

This exhibition of new and exisiting artwork by Paul Aston and Conor Foran is a celebration of stammering pride art. 

City Lit Exhibition City Lit Exhibition

The Colour of Language

November 2024

A collaboration between Creative Writing, Visual Arts and G.F. Smith. 

Exhibition City Lit GalleryExhibition City Lit Gallery

Bloomsbury Festival

October 2024

An exhibition of the Bloomsbury Festival’s Art Prize Winner’s artwork alongside two of the shortlisted artists.

ExhibitionExhibition

To Whom it May Concern

October 2024

This year's Mental Wealth Festival exhibition 'To Whom it May Concern' explored our thoughts, feelings, health and wellbeing by artists from the City Lit community.

Exhibition City Lit GalleryExhibition City Lit Gallery

Wish You Were Here

September 2024

A postcard show with work from Visual Arts colleagues.

Exhibition City Lit GalleryExhibition City Lit Gallery

CLFA 2

August 2024

End of year exhibition with work from our City Lit Fine Art Year 2 students.

City Lit Exhibition City Lit Exhibition

Advanced painting

August 2024

Exhibition with work from our advanced painting students. 

ExhibitionExhibition

The Basketarians

18 - 25 July 2024

The Basketarians is the graduate show of students completing our flagship City Lit Basketry course. Over the two years, learners have been encouraged to explore their creativity and, study a wide range of basketry techniques and materials such as willow, jute, rush and cane.

City Lit Exhibition Foundation Diploma City Lit Exhibition Foundation Diploma

Interconnected

10 - 18 July 2024

End of year exhibition with work from our advanced textiles students. 

Exhibition City Lit GalleryExhibition City Lit Gallery

Sculpture

03 - 10 July 2024

End of year exhibition with work from our advanced Sculpture students.

ExhibitionExhibition

Embodiment

21 - 28 June 2024

‘Embodiment’ is the latest exhibition in the City Lit Gallery featuring pieces from our ‘Advanced Figure and Portrait’ students. 

City Lit Exhibition Foundation Diploma City Lit Exhibition Foundation Diploma

Foundations

19 - 21 June 2024

‘Foundations’ is an exhibition by artists from the Foundation Diploma: Art & Design course and features a diverse mix of printing, textiles, sculptures, animation, fine art moving image and design projects. The show was held at  ‘Downstairs at the Department Store’ in Brixton.

Exhibition City Lit GalleryExhibition City Lit Gallery

Under Pressure

14 - 21 June 2024

A new exhibition by artists from the Advanced Printmaking course.

Incounters

7 - 14 June 2024

A new show by artists from our Contemporary practice: personal project course.

Royal Hospital Chelsea and City Lit Photography Exhibition

25 - 30 May 2024

A photography exhibition with work from the Chelsea Pensioners and City Lit students taken at the Royal Hospital Chelsea.

Finding Ivy

22 - 24 May

'Finding Ivy: A Life Worthy of Life' exhibition hosted at City Lit. The exhibition brought to light 13 British-born victims with mental illnesses or learning disabilities who were killed by the Nazis in German and Austrian institutions between 1940 and 1941.

Uncontained: beyond the white cube

12 - 21 May 2024

A new exhibition with work from artists from the Developing Art Practice Group.

Digitized_

19 April - 10 May

A new exhibition featuring works from students and staff exploring the possibilities between digital & traditional crafts. The exhibitors have created an eclectic range of works using processes and materials such as laser cutting, animation and 3D printing.

Deaf Mosaic

9 April - 18 April 2024

This year, Deaf Mosaic returns to City Lit Gallery for a third exhibition. As well as displaying Stephen Illife's latest work, it introduces you all to four exciting new deaf talents: Tofunmi Peace Adeosun, Mareah Ali, Isabella Giddins, and Shalom Nuhu.

City Lit Ceramics: End of Year Show

19 March - 7 April 2024

A new exhibition with work of learners on our two term City Lit ceramics course. Artists: Rade Mihovilovic, Corinne Rockall
Alison Staniland, Roxane Vacca, Katie Bassford King, Lily Einhorn, Sarah James, Patsy Fuller, Harry Bond, James Neill, Pia White, Jacqueline Wang, Caoimhe McAvinchey.

This Delighful Woman

28 February-17 March

First solo exhibition by former visual arts student Susannah Goulding. This show features art produced over the past five years following the artist’s diagnosis with incurable metastatic cancer.

Tesserae

February 2024

Mosaics show.

shuffle - print - wear

February 2024

Work from advanced printmaking students. Experimental and Development interim show.

Art Exhibition: Centre for Learning Disabilities Education 

December-February

A new show by art students from the Centre for Learning Disabilities Education.

Crafted '23

21-23 November

The inaugural Crafted Exhibition features a wonderful selection of Crafts from our talented Students in the Visual Arts School. It is unique marketplace experience for learners to share their stories and and sell their work during this special time of year.

Props 'til you drop

November 2023

Work from students new and past

Out of Mind

October 2023

A new show by students as part of City Lit's Mental Wealth Festival 2023.

Continous

29 Jul 2023 – 3 Aug 2023

A new exhibition featuring work by thirteen painters on the City Lit Advanced Painting course. 

Surfacing

14 July – 21 July 2023

A new show by artists from our Extended Drawing for Artists and Makers course. 

City Lit Fine Art Year 2

7 July – 14 July 2023

A new show by artists from our City Lit Fine Art Year 2 course. 

Foundation Diploma in Art and Design

4 July – 9 July 2023

The Foundation Show at The Department Store in Brixton is a celebration of the outstanding work of 26 emerging artists and designers practicing across a wide range of disciplines including textiles, print, video, animation, painting, sculpture and more. 

Home Art ExhibitionHome Art Exhibition

Home

5-16 June 2025

A City Lit Art School exhibition curated by Russell Tovey. ‘Home’ brings together works from across the City Lit Art School. It incorporates many diverse art disciplines, such as paintings, screenprints, sculptures and mixed media installations. 

City Lit Exhibition City Lit Exhibition

In Process

May 2025

Work in progress by City Lit advanced painting students.

ExhibitionExhibition

Deaf History exhibition

April 2025

A powerful showcase led by Deaf historian and City Lit BSL tutor Peter Brown, exploring Deaf history and culture as part of City Lit’s Deaf Day celebrations.

ExhibitionExhibition

Ticky Tacky

5-12 April 2025

A new exhibition by students from the Developing Art Practice course, showcasing bold and thought-provoking creative work at the City Lit Gallery.

City Lit Exhibition City Lit Exhibition

Ceramics end of year show

26 March- 4 April 2025

This work-in-progress features work from City Lit ceramics students.

ExhibitionExhibition

Collections

March

This work-in-progress show features work from our talented artists at the Art & Design Foundation Diploma.

ExhibitionExhibition

Threads of Solidarity: Human Rights and Justice

13-25 February

This exhibition is created by Bordando por la Memoria, a transnational textile collective of Chileans. The exhibition responds to Augusto Pinochet’s brutal dictatorship. Read more on our blog

City Lit Exhibition City Lit Exhibition

Work in Progress

29 January-12 February 2025

Work in progress by City Lit students from various visual arts classes.

ExhibitionExhibition

Wouldn't You Rather Talk Like Us?

December-January

This exhibition of new and exisiting artwork by Paul Aston and Conor Foran is a celebration of stammering pride art. 

City Lit Exhibition City Lit Exhibition

The Colour of Language

November 2024

A collaboration between Creative Writing, Visual Arts and G.F. Smith. 

Exhibition City Lit GalleryExhibition City Lit Gallery

Bloomsbury Festival

October 2024

An exhibition of the Bloomsbury Festival’s Art Prize Winner’s artwork alongside two of the shortlisted artists.

ExhibitionExhibition

To Whom it May Concern

October 2024

This year's Mental Wealth Festival exhibition 'To Whom it May Concern' explored our thoughts, feelings, health and wellbeing by artists from the City Lit community.

Exhibition City Lit GalleryExhibition City Lit Gallery

Wish You Were Here

September 2024

A postcard show with work from Visual Arts colleagues.

Exhibition City Lit GalleryExhibition City Lit Gallery

CLFA 2

August 2024

End of year exhibition with work from our City Lit Fine Art Year 2 students.

City Lit Exhibition City Lit Exhibition

Advanced painting

August 2024

Exhibition with work from our advanced painting students. 

ExhibitionExhibition

The Basketarians

18 - 25 July 2024

The Basketarians is the graduate show of students completing our flagship City Lit Basketry course. Over the two years, learners have been encouraged to explore their creativity and, study a wide range of basketry techniques and materials such as willow, jute, rush and cane.

City Lit Exhibition Foundation Diploma City Lit Exhibition Foundation Diploma

Interconnected

10 - 18 July 2024

End of year exhibition with work from our advanced textiles students. 

Exhibition City Lit GalleryExhibition City Lit Gallery

Sculpture

03 - 10 July 2024

End of year exhibition with work from our advanced Sculpture students.

ExhibitionExhibition

Embodiment

21 - 28 June 2024

‘Embodiment’ is the latest exhibition in the City Lit Gallery featuring pieces from our ‘Advanced Figure and Portrait’ students. 

City Lit Exhibition Foundation Diploma City Lit Exhibition Foundation Diploma

Foundations

19 - 21 June 2024

‘Foundations’ is an exhibition by artists from the Foundation Diploma: Art & Design course and features a diverse mix of printing, textiles, sculptures, animation, fine art moving image and design projects. The show was held at  ‘Downstairs at the Department Store’ in Brixton.

Exhibition City Lit GalleryExhibition City Lit Gallery

Under Pressure

14 - 21 June 2024

A new exhibition by artists from the Advanced Printmaking course.

Incounters

7 - 14 June 2024

A new show by artists from our Contemporary practice: personal project course.

Royal Hospital Chelsea and City Lit Photography Exhibition

25 - 30 May 2024

A photography exhibition with work from the Chelsea Pensioners and City Lit students taken at the Royal Hospital Chelsea.

Finding Ivy

22 - 24 May

'Finding Ivy: A Life Worthy of Life' exhibition hosted at City Lit. The exhibition brought to light 13 British-born victims with mental illnesses or learning disabilities who were killed by the Nazis in German and Austrian institutions between 1940 and 1941.

Uncontained: beyond the white cube

12 - 21 May 2024

A new exhibition with work from artists from the Developing Art Practice Group.

Digitized_

19 April - 10 May

A new exhibition featuring works from students and staff exploring the possibilities between digital & traditional crafts. The exhibitors have created an eclectic range of works using processes and materials such as laser cutting, animation and 3D printing.

Deaf Mosaic

9 April - 18 April 2024

This year, Deaf Mosaic returns to City Lit Gallery for a third exhibition. As well as displaying Stephen Illife's latest work, it introduces you all to four exciting new deaf talents: Tofunmi Peace Adeosun, Mareah Ali, Isabella Giddins, and Shalom Nuhu.

City Lit Ceramics: End of Year Show

19 March - 7 April 2024

A new exhibition with work of learners on our two term City Lit ceramics course. Artists: Rade Mihovilovic, Corinne Rockall
Alison Staniland, Roxane Vacca, Katie Bassford King, Lily Einhorn, Sarah James, Patsy Fuller, Harry Bond, James Neill, Pia White, Jacqueline Wang, Caoimhe McAvinchey.

This Delighful Woman

28 February-17 March

First solo exhibition by former visual arts student Susannah Goulding. This show features art produced over the past five years following the artist’s diagnosis with incurable metastatic cancer.

Tesserae

February 2024

Mosaics show.

shuffle - print - wear

February 2024

Work from advanced printmaking students. Experimental and Development interim show.

Art Exhibition: Centre for Learning Disabilities Education 

December-February

A new show by art students from the Centre for Learning Disabilities Education.

Crafted '23

21-23 November

The inaugural Crafted Exhibition features a wonderful selection of Crafts from our talented Students in the Visual Arts School. It is unique marketplace experience for learners to share their stories and and sell their work during this special time of year.

Props 'til you drop

November 2023

Work from students new and past

Out of Mind

October 2023

A new show by students as part of City Lit's Mental Wealth Festival 2023.

Continous

29 Jul 2023 – 3 Aug 2023

A new exhibition featuring work by thirteen painters on the City Lit Advanced Painting course. 

Surfacing

14 July – 21 July 2023

A new show by artists from our Extended Drawing for Artists and Makers course. 

City Lit Fine Art Year 2

7 July – 14 July 2023

A new show by artists from our City Lit Fine Art Year 2 course. 

Foundation Diploma in Art and Design

4 July – 9 July 2023

The Foundation Show at The Department Store in Brixton is a celebration of the outstanding work of 26 emerging artists and designers practicing across a wide range of disciplines including textiles, print, video, animation, painting, sculpture and more. 

ExhibitionExhibition

Wouldn't You Rather Talk Like Us?

December-January

This exhibition of new and exisiting artwork by Paul Aston and Conor Foran is a celebration of stammering pride art. 

City Lit Exhibition City Lit Exhibition

The Colour of Language

November 2024

A collaboration between Creative Writing, Visual Arts and G.F. Smith. 

Exhibition City Lit GalleryExhibition City Lit Gallery

Bloomsbury Festival

October 2024

An exhibition of the Bloomsbury Festival’s Art Prize Winner’s artwork alongside two of the shortlisted artists.

ExhibitionExhibition

To Whom it May Concern

October 2024

This year's Mental Wealth Festival exhibition 'To Whom it May Concern' explored our thoughts, feelings, health and wellbeing by artists from the City Lit community.

Exhibition City Lit GalleryExhibition City Lit Gallery

CLFA 2

August 2024

End of year exhibition with work from our City Lit Fine Art Year 2 students.

City Lit Exhibition City Lit Exhibition

Advanced painting

August 2024

Exhibition with work from our advanced painting students. 

ExhibitionExhibition

The Basketarians

18 - 25 July 2024

The Basketarians is the graduate show of students completing our flagship City Lit Basketry course. Over the two years, learners have been encouraged to explore their creativity and, study a wide range of basketry techniques and materials such as willow, jute, rush and cane.

City Lit Exhibition Foundation Diploma City Lit Exhibition Foundation Diploma

Interconnected

10 - 18 July 2024

End of year exhibition with work from our advanced textiles students. 

Exhibition City Lit GalleryExhibition City Lit Gallery

Sculpture

03 - 10 July 2024

End of year exhibition with work from our advanced Sculpture students.

ExhibitionExhibition

Embodiment

21 - 28 June 2024

‘Embodiment’ is the latest exhibition in the City Lit Gallery featuring pieces from our ‘Advanced Figure and Portrait’ students. 

City Lit Exhibition Foundation Diploma City Lit Exhibition Foundation Diploma

Foundations

19 - 21 June 2024

‘Foundations’ is an exhibition by artists from the Foundation Diploma: Art & Design course and features a diverse mix of printing, textiles, sculptures, animation, fine art moving image and design projects. The show was held at  ‘Downstairs at the Department Store’ in Brixton.

Exhibition City Lit GalleryExhibition City Lit Gallery

Under Pressure

14 - 21 June 2024

A new exhibition by artists from the Advanced Printmaking course.

Incounters

7 - 14 June 2024

A new show by artists from our Contemporary practice: personal project course.

Royal Hospital Chelsea and City Lit Photography Exhibition

25 - 30 May 2024

A photography exhibition with work from the Chelsea Pensioners and City Lit students taken at the Royal Hospital Chelsea.

Finding Ivy

22 - 24 May

'Finding Ivy: A Life Worthy of Life' exhibition hosted at City Lit. The exhibition brought to light 13 British-born victims with mental illnesses or learning disabilities who were killed by the Nazis in German and Austrian institutions between 1940 and 1941.

Uncontained: beyond the white cube

12 - 21 May 2024

A new exhibition with work from artists from the Developing Art Practice Group.

Digitized_

19 April - 10 May

A new exhibition featuring works from students and staff exploring the possibilities between digital & traditional crafts. The exhibitors have created an eclectic range of works using processes and materials such as laser cutting, animation and 3D printing.

Deaf Mosaic

9 April - 18 April 2024

This year, Deaf Mosaic returns to City Lit Gallery for a third exhibition. As well as displaying Stephen Illife's latest work, it introduces you all to four exciting new deaf talents: Tofunmi Peace Adeosun, Mareah Ali, Isabella Giddins, and Shalom Nuhu.

City Lit Ceramics: End of Year Show

19 March - 7 April 2024

A new exhibition with work of learners on our two term City Lit ceramics course. Artists: Rade Mihovilovic, Corinne Rockall
Alison Staniland, Roxane Vacca, Katie Bassford King, Lily Einhorn, Sarah James, Patsy Fuller, Harry Bond, James Neill, Pia White, Jacqueline Wang, Caoimhe McAvinchey.

This Delighful Woman

28 February-17 March

First solo exhibition by former visual arts student Susannah Goulding. This show features art produced over the past five years following the artist’s diagnosis with incurable metastatic cancer.

Tesserae

February 2024

Mosaics show.

shuffle - print - wear

February 2024

Work from advanced printmaking students. Experimental and Development interim show.

Art Exhibition: Centre for Learning Disabilities Education 

December-February

A new show by art students from the Centre for Learning Disabilities Education.

Crafted '23

21-23 November

The inaugural Crafted Exhibition features a wonderful selection of Crafts from our talented Students in the Visual Arts School. It is unique marketplace experience for learners to share their stories and and sell their work during this special time of year.

Props 'til you drop

November 2023

Work from students new and past

Out of Mind

October 2023

A new show by students as part of City Lit's Mental Wealth Festival 2023.

Continous

29 Jul 2023 – 3 Aug 2023

A new exhibition featuring work by thirteen painters on the City Lit Advanced Painting course. 

Surfacing

14 July – 21 July 2023

A new show by artists from our Extended Drawing for Artists and Makers course. 

City Lit Fine Art Year 2

7 July – 14 July 2023

A new show by artists from our City Lit Fine Art Year 2 course. 

Foundation Diploma in Art and Design

4 July – 9 July 2023

The Foundation Show at The Department Store in Brixton is a celebration of the outstanding work of 26 emerging artists and designers practicing across a wide range of disciplines including textiles, print, video, animation, painting, sculpture and more. 

Contemporary practice: personal project 

30 June – 7 July 2023

The artists of Contemporary Practice: Personal project present IIII IIII, an exhibition of painting, drawing, sculpture, print, textiles, collage, photography and mixed-media practice.

Advanced Children's Book Illustration

23 – 30 June 2023

A new show by artists from our Advanced Children's Book Illustration course. 

Told in Pieces    

16 – 23 June 

Told in Pieces presented the versatility of printmaking - from woodcut, etching to monotype, book design and sculpture. 

Emergence    

9 – 16 June 2023   

A new show by artists from our Advanced Figure and Portrait course. 

Chelsea Pensioners     

26 May – 2 June 2023   

City Lit students and Chelsea pensioners document life in the Royal Hospital Chelsea with a joint project.  

City Lit exhibitionCity Lit exhibition

Hear      

2 – 12 May 2023   

‘Hear’ tells the story of hearing loss through the sculptural work of artist Shelley Wilson. Inspired by stories from learners in our community, the exhibition aims to draw attention to different types of hearing loss.  


Beyond the White Cube exhibitionBeyond the White Cube exhibition

Beyond the White Cubes    

May 2023 

For this show, the group (students from the Developing art Practice course) were invited to respond to the concept and/or the physical reality of the white cube gallery infrastructure in any way they liked, by way of a critique of the 'White Cube' gallery aesthetic. The show included an artist 'in conversation' and artist talk for the Visual Arts Open Day.
 

Deaf Mosaic exhibitionDeaf Mosaic exhibition

Deaf Mosaic      

12 – 28 April 2023 

The UK deaf community is an astonishingly diverse mosaic of ethnicity, class, religion, sexual orientation and different occupations and interests. In his intimate portraits and stories, deaf photographer Stephen Iliffe shares a vital message: with the right support, deaf people can do anything. 

City Lit Ceramics: end of year show      

21 March – 11 April 2023  

Join us to celebrate the work of learners on our two term City Lit ceramics course.

Piece by Piece    

2 February – 2 March 2023

Piece by Piece aims to show the story behind the exhibit. Displaying exhibitors influences as they approach a new piece, we demonstrate the innocuous moments which contribute to the narrative of artworks. Countless decisions creatives make as they go, layering up materials, ideas, processes until they reach the moment of calm, when the artwork stops wriggling uncomfortably and sits in quiet, then whispers ‘that’s it, I’m done’.  

Tales of the Kiln  

12 – 29 January 2023 

16 artists with one aim - to create work that will engage us and, hopefully, our audience too. This is the start of a journey for some, whereas for others it is a reawakening of a long-held obsession. From diverse backgrounds, we bring different life experiences, careers, cultures and challenges to be overcome; tales that inform our work. 

Same/Same  

29 November – 8 January

This exhibition brings together students from the Centre for Advanced Practice – School of Visual Arts at City Lit with MA Contemporary Photography; Practices and Philosophies at Central Saint Martins. The exhibition opened with a week-long live install, in which the group worked collaboratively, making within the gallery which will function as a makeshift studio, workshop, stage and exhibition venue. Work was developed through a series of lesson plans making public the teaching that would normally happen within the relative privacy of the studio or lecture theatre. All live events were documented and shown within the space together with any teaching materials providing an archive of the weeks’ activities. 

Paper Rock Scalpel

November 2022

Paper Rock Scalpel showcases work by students and staff from Book Arts, Bookbinding and Calligraphy courses at City Lit. The common material to each of the disciplines is paper, the scalpel cuts the paper and as you walk around the show, the Rock speaks for itself. 

Making Good and the Processing of Trauma Exhibition

with specially commissioned film Anamnesis by Monika Kita 

October 2022

This multi-media exhibition explores how the act of drawing might help to manage the way that traumatic events are processed. It is the culmination of a year-long research project into the visual, cognitive, motor and psychological aspects potentially involved and was funded by an Arts Council England Project Award.  The exhibition includes an immersive film Anamnesis by Monika Kita (Venice Biennale, BBC Shorts, East London Film Festival, Museum of Contemporary Art in Oaxaca, Mexico) commissioned as a response to the unfolding research. 

Advanced Graphic Design Exhibition

October 2022

The exhibition features works made by the students throughout their year on the course. The aim of the course is to stretch and inform students on how graphics can be used and in what formats visual communications can take. Students grow in their confidences as they progress through the various projects and challenges, so that they become much more capable to process and create interesting graphics that they research and complete as professional designers. 

Advanced Painting Exhibition: End of Year Show

October 2022

Our group developed its identity over a full year (September to September) benefiting hugely from the intense two-day painting workshops, mentoring tutorials, and access to the print room.  We each came to the course with emerging research interests, looking to question the material means of painting, develop personal sensibilities, and engage with contemporary context and meaning in our respective practices.   

Children's Book Illustration Exhibition

September 2022

A group showcase presenting the exciting range of our advanced children's book illustration student drawings, paintings, dummy books and current projects. This course represents a final step in the journey towards a career in children's books. 

City Lit Departures WC2B Exhibition

September 2022

DEPARTURES WC2B is an exhibition of creative work by artists from City Lit’s Contemporary Practice: Personal Project course, including Didi Gaudron, Emma Parsons, Pippa Has Burnt All Her Work, Fiona Ledger, Fliff Carr, Ivan Scrase, Kate Rossini, Liz Day, Sophie Meyer, Susannah Goulding and Wendy Manel. 

Lost and Unloved Exhibition

August 2022

Starting with abandoned objects from the archive, this exhibition was developed to show off Basketry, Bookbinding, Ceramics, Textiles, Fashion fabrics, Jewellery and Laser cutting samples.

Basketry Show

July 2022

Sore Thumbs is the end of year exhibition for students completing the City Lit Basketry course.

Jewellery and Textiles Show

July 2022

Material Differences is the end of year exhibition from our Advanced Textiles students who have been studying together for two years. The participating artists are Ella Beech, Caroline Burgess, Sarah Chambers, Clare Leavenworth Bakali, Blandine Martin, Claire Morton and Sue Nicholls.

City Lit Fine Art Show - Together

July 2022

TOGETHER is the end of year exhibition by our year 3 City Lit fine art students. 

City Lit Foundation Art & Design Show, Downstairs in Brixton

July 2022

THERE, YET brings together the emerging practice of 28 artists working across a diverse range of media, taking in ceramics, textiles, print, sculpture, paint and film. The show spans an intergenerational reflection and shared journey into creative practice, with participating artists ranging in age from their 20's through to their 60's.

Many Piper Wings exhibition

July 2022

Taking its title from a navigation app, Many Piper Wings is an end of year exhibition that brings together the current work of nine artists who met at City Lit as members of the Developing Art Practice course. Participating Artists: Anthony Anderson, Sarah De Rozario, Karen Dodd, Elizabeth Dwyer, Glenda Frieder, Kathryn Mason, Pan Panayiotou, Ivan Scrase, Giorgos Theocharous.

Floating in a Most Peculiar Way exhibition

June 2022

This is the end of year exhibition for students on The City Lit Advanced Drawing year, Extended Drawing for Artists and Makers, which is designed for the experienced drawing student or arts practitioner who wants to develop their personal approach to drawing and enhance their art practice.

Advanced printmaking exhibition

June 2020

This is the first ‘in-house’ exhibition for students on the Advanced Printmaking course since the start of the pandemic. They have taken this opportunity and run with it, creating large scale prints and multiple smaller pieces in assemblage. The works tear away from the wall, invading the room and the space in the air, on the floor and across table plinths. Splashes of colour, detailed drawing and textural savvy create a harmonious and immersive field of printmaking at its best for the College to enjoy. 

Sculpture exhibition

June 2020

An exhibition featuring work from the City Lit Sculpture year-long course. A group who have engaged in and cultivated a working environment of research, discussion and making. They have developed their individual practice with a focus on the material and technical aspects of sculpture, within an experimental and progressive framework.

Royal Hospital Chelsea exhibition by City Lit

May 2022

A joint exhibition by City Lit students and Chelsea Pensioners from a photography course at the Royal Hospital Chelsea. 

CLDE exhibition

May 2022

Exhibition by art students from City Lit's Centre for Learning Disability Education.

Deaf Mosaic by Stephen Iliffe

April 2022

Deaf Mosaic is an exhibition of 50 portrait photograph by City Lit student Stephen Iliffe who celebrates the remarkable diversity of the UK's deaf community. Read more about the photography exhibition on our blog. 

Eight Women print

March 2022

Eight strong women, professionals, homemakers, retired or active, of all ages, helping each other experiment and extend their work and sharing their creative journey with a wider audience - the power of the collective feminine is unmissable.

New Shoots

January 2022

An exhibition of photographs taken on our beginners, online beginners and beginners in specialist disciplines courses throughout the lock downs.

Art by Adults with Learning Disabilities - online gallery

City Lit Gallery is pleased to present work created by adults with learning disabilities who study at City Lit. Congratulations to each student who has contributed to the exhibition.

City Lit Ceramics exhibition

April 2020

City Lit Gallery is pleased to present, albeit in virtual form, the work of 12 emerging ceramicists to celebrate the achievements of these learners by sharing images of their final pieces.

City Lit Fine Art Exhibition - online gallery

July 2020

Students and staff from City Lit Fine Art Year 2 are delighted to present their online exhibition 2020 including work made in the studio and at home under the challenging conditions we now find ourselves in. 

Extended Drawing for Artists & Makers Show - online gallery

July 2020

Congratulations to students who have completed the Extended Drawing for Artists & Makers course this year, their online Private View was a great success and they have an online gallery to share their work with you.

'I used to be a photography student'

March 2020

In light of the current Covid-19 status and in the interest of the health and wellbeing of our community this exibition is no longer open to the public - the City Lit Gallery hopes to be back up and running soon.

Textiles: In Transition

February 2020

This exhibition brings together students past and present from City Lit Advanced Textiles and displays the breadth of skills these learners develop. Private View: Sunday 2 February 14:00-17:00, exhibition continues 3 February – 6 March 2020.

100 minutes of film & animation

January 2020

The next exhibition in the City Lit Gallery shows 100 minutes of film and animation created by City Lit students past and present. Screening night Monday 16 December and show open until Friday 31 January 2020.

100 Portraits

December 2019

This exhibition shows our 100 Centenary portraits; a celebration of people who contribute to making City Lit special.  The photographs offer an insight into the wide range of learning possible at City Lit.

Contact & opening hours

City Lit Gallery, 1-10 Keeley Street, Covent Garden, London, WC2B 4BA

Monday – Friday 10:00 - 21:00 
Saturday - Sunday 10:00 - 18:00

Free entry 

gallery@citylit.ac.uk  020 7492 2707