Barnsley Creativity and Wellbeing Week 18 - 24 May 2026
Here is a taster of some of the events, workshops and exhibitions going on in Barnsley during the national Creativity and Wellbeing Week
If you have anything going on please let us know by emailing [email protected] and we can add to our growing list below! Everything below is free!
Shared Horizons mini exhibition, Sadler Room corridor
Saturday 28 Feb 2026 - Sunday 26 July 2026, Cooper Gallery (open everyday 10am-4pm but Sundays)
Shared Horizon Celebration launches an inspirational new exhibition as part of a creative health programme designed to support vulnerable adults experiencing loneliness and isolation across Barnsley. The exhibition features colourful creative works from several elderly rural community groups and brings together an exciting array of art works that have been developed in collaboration with artists Sarah Jane Palmer and Sally Philburn.
Forest Bathing with Rachel Howfield Massey
Sunday, May 17 • 10 AM - 12 PM, National Trust - Wentworth Castle Gardens (we know this is the day before the week starts but we couldn't resist!)
Connect with nature, using evidence-based creative and mindful techniques to improve your mental health and reduce stress. Click here to book your FREE place.
Creative Health in Barnsley - what's our next step?
Monday 18th May 12-3pm, Events Room at the Light Box 1 The Glass Works, Barnsley, S70 1GW
Join us for a creative afternoon exploring our priorities for the next year to support creative health delivery, and its workforce, to be the best it can be.
This event is a chance to get together, get creative and plan our priorities for the next year. What do we all need to feel supported, stronger together, energised and listened to, to ensure everyone in Barnsley can live fuller, healthier lives through creativity?
Click here for the eventbite booking form. This event is free and you get lunch!
Library Lates: Open Mic and Collaborate Artwork with Creative Recovery
Wednesday 20th May 5-7.30pm, Library @ The Lightbox
Join the Creative Recovery Community for an inclusive evening celebrating creativity.
Take part in our relaxed open‑mic by sharing a song or poem, or grab a canvas and add your mark to a large, collaborative artwork. Enjoy a warm, welcoming atmosphere with hot drinks and a slice of pizza included. No experience needed—just come as you are and get creative.
Other things we wanted you to know about:
First Thursday of every month. 1 - 2.30pm, Cooper Gallery (Sadler Room) Next meetings 7th May and 4th June
Join us at the Cooper Gallery for our monthly sketchbook circle. Whether you draw regularly or are a complete beginner, enjoy the meditative nature of drawing and support your well-being through creativity with others. The session is relaxed and friendly with no judgment or pressure to create a masterpiece. Led by artist Louise Wright. All materials provided. No booking necessary.
Voices Blooming
9th May, 11.30am - 2.30pm at Wentworth Castle Gardens
Following on from last year's successful event, community choirs will be coming together to celebrate the natural world in some of the most beautiful spots in the garden. This event is part of the Festival of Blossom; working with community choirs to connect with nature and each other through the medium of singing. This year's theme: growth, resilience & change. This year, we are delighted to welcome three local choirs:
- Uplift Choir brings together people of different ages who have varying life experiences and conditions, promoting better mental health through singing together.
- Body of Sound is a women’s singing group based in Sheffield, who have been singing together for 29 years (longer than their youngest members!)
- Civic Pride Singers is a singing and social group for the LGBTIA+ community in Barnsley. This is the first time they have joined us at the Voices Blooming event.
Cannon Hall: A History of a Home and Family Exhibition
Sat 16 May - Sun 20 Sep 2026, Cannon Hall Museum (Open Thursday to Sunday 11-4pm)
Step inside Cannon Hall Museum and explore 300 years of history of the house and family in this new exhibition. From the middle of the 17th century when Cannon Hall was a small manor house, through its time as a home of society, politics and community in the 18th and 19th centuries, concluding with its role as a base for many different people during the Second World War.
Cleopatra and the Queens of Egypt - Joann Fletcher Exhibition
7 March 2026 to Feb 2027, Experience Barnsley (Open Tuesday to Saturday 10-4pm - closes 3.30pm on a Saturday)
Following international coverage of ‘TUT22: the life of Tutankhamun’ at Experience Barnsley, our new exhibition focuses on Egypt’s female pharaoh Cleopatra and the women who inspired her. Created by Barnsley-born BAFTA-winning Egyptologist Prof. Joann Fletcher, the exhibition highlights Cleopatra’s life, her eternal legacy, and the surprising connections between ancient Egypt and Yorkshire. With loans from the Egypt Exploration Society, British Museum, Bolton Museum and others, the exhibition will be accompanied by a 12-month programme of talks, tours, events and online content.
Visit Barnsley Museums website for more details: www.barnsley-museums.com
Visit Wentworth Castle Gardens website for more details: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/yorkshire/wentworth-castle-gardens