A Creative Year Behind the Scenes: My 2025 Gallery Reflections

Posted by Joanne Wishart on December 23, 2025

2025 Reflections of Art & Gallery life

As the year rolls to an end, I always love taking a moment to reflect on the highlights of the past twelve months — both in my life as an artist and in the ever-changing rhythms of life in my gallery by the sea.

2025 got off to a brilliant start with a painting commission for the Newcastle Building Society Saving Passbook, followed by a PR event at the Baltic. What a fantastic way to kick off the year!

Soon after, I had the pleasure of collaborating with Alnwick Castle, painting several views of the castle which were turned into greeting cards for their gift shop — a project I thoroughly enjoyed.

Throughout the year, I painted 42 original artworks for the gallery walls, alongside 12 Christmas card illustrations and 12 brand-new landscape card designs ready for a 2026 release… watch this space! 👀

Over the summer, I really enjoyed creating a series of sunflower paintings for my seasonal window display. It was lovely to step slightly outside my usual subject matter and explore florals — still colourful and vibrant, but with a fresh twist.

I was also thrilled to be featured on the Bloomsburg Connect app and to have a piece included in the Cullercoats feature of Landscape magazine — both wonderful PR highlighting my work as an artist and our art gallery in Cullercoats.

We’ve said a fond farewell to Laura and Millie as they move on to pastures new, and we’ve been delighted to welcome Florence, an A-level textiles student, who now helps out in the gallery on Saturdays. Alongside this, we’ve been gently introducing our teenagers to the world of work — so thank you to everyone who has chatted with them at the counter and supported them as they learn the ropes.

Exhibiting Out and About in 2025

2025 was very much the year of getting out and about and reconnecting face-to-face. After five years in the gallery, it felt like the right time to shout a little louder about our small independent art gallery by the sea — because marketing really is one of the hardest parts!

We kicked things off with a pop-up at Dobbies Garden Centre in Ponteland, followed by The Hearth at Horsley Spring Open Studios, Alnmouth Arts Festival, and the Forage Summer Market. September saw us return to Staithes Arts Festival, before rounding off the year with festive markets at Living North and the Forage Winter Market.

We’re also delighted to have a lovely display space in the Chantry Gift Shop in Morpeth, and in the very first month I became their best-selling artist. Thank you to everyone who sought out my work there — your support means so much.

Phew — it was a busy one! But it’s been so lovely to see lots of new faces and increased footfall in the gallery. We’ve really enjoyed welcoming new visitors to Cullercoats.

Inspiration & Artistic Adventures

Connecting with the places I paint is of high priority to me so Ross and I enjoyed several walking trips along the Northumberland coast, soaking up the scenery and gathering inspiration for future paintings.

More YouTube videos are coming next year! We even climbed Roseberry Topping, so I’ve now got a healthy back catalogue of ideas waiting in the wings.

If you haven’t check out my YouTube channel I’m documenting my walks along the Northumberland Coastal Path so pop over and see what inspires me and my paintings!

Creative Christmas at the Gallery 🎄

As Christmas approached, we once again sponsored the Cullercoats Community Advent Trail which celebrated 10 years— something I absolutely love being part of, especially as it gives me the perfect excuse to go all out with a festive window display.

I was delighted to donate another image to Cullercoats RNLI for their annual charity Christmas card, which was a huge success, raising over [amount]. We also enjoyed hosting two Marden High School students who volunteered as part of their Duke of Edinburgh programme, helping to pack 15,000 cards.

This year marked our busiest Christmas since opening the gallery in 2018, which has been incredibly rewarding. Knowing that so many of you chose to shop local and support our small business truly means the world to us.

Designing and creating every product we sell takes a huge amount of time and effort, so it’s been wonderful to see our growing range of gifts and local Christmas cards enjoyed by so many of you.

Looking Ahead to 2026

No two years are ever the same. I'm always planning, dreaming, and quietly scheming about what to paint next and where to take the business. I’ve entered the Wild in Art Peter Rabbit Art trail competition so fingers crossed an Sculpture art trail is on the cards!

In my personal work next year, my focus will be firmly on what makes my work different, personal, and uniquely mine. Authenticity matters in the fight against AI generated images. Every painting I do begins with a walk, a moment, a hand drawn sketch. My own vision of the world which then slowly develops into a finished piece full of colour, depth, texture, life, and character. Every painting with its own story behind it. So it's that's your vibe I'll see you in 2026!