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Exhibitions
Bright Lights Youth Arts Exhibition 2026
10 – 14 Mar 2026
Quick summary
- Price
- Free
- Venue
-
- Arts Centre Washington
Event description
The Bright Lights Youth Arts Exhibition 2026 showcases the imagination, talent, and powerful voices of young artists from Washington and the wider Sunderland area. Featuring work by 11–19‑year‑olds, this year’s exhibition responds to the theme ‘Connections’, exploring the ties that bind us — to each other, to place, to identity, and to the wider world.
From bold visual art to thoughtful mixed‑media pieces, the exhibition reveals how young creators interpret the relationships, networks, and moments that shape their lives. Their work offers fresh perspectives, emotional depth, and an inspiring glimpse into the creativity of the next generation.
The exhibition is curated by the Celebrate Different Collective, a dynamic group of young people aged 13–25 from across Sunderland. Supported by Sunderland Culture, the Collective co‑produce and run their own cultural events, collaborate with professional artists, and develop hands-on skills in curation, event management and the arts sector. Their vision and leadership give the Bright Lights exhibition its unique energy and youth‑led voice.
Part of Arts Centre Washington’s Bright Lights Youth Arts Festival, the exhibition celebrates creativity, community and the power of young people to shape culture in Sunderland today.
Bright Lights Youth Arts Festival 2026
Saturday 21 February – Saturday 28 February
A celebration of creativity featuring free workshops and special events across the city for young people aged 11-19.
Bright Lights Youth Arts Festival 2026 is supported by Culture Start and the Autonomy project. The Autonomy project is supported by Association of Independent Museums’ Connected Communities programme, funded by the Department for Culture Media and Sport’s Know Your Neighbourhood Fund, through Arts Council England.
