The Platform Gallery

Who we are

The Platform Gallery is a contemporary craft gallery situated in the railway station in Clitheroe. The gallery houses contemporary craft exhibitions, runs workshops and education programmes and has a shop selling the work of local and regional crafts people. In the main exhibition space they present a changing programme of craft exhibitions, bringing the work of nationally recognised makers from outside Lancashire to Clitheroe, as well as showcasing the work of local designers and makers. Their programme of exhibitions includes work in textiles, glass, ceramics, metalwork and jewellery. The small education gallery shows work by schools and community groups. The gallery is a relatively small space but can comfortably provide space for a class to visit and explore exhibitions and the education gallery/classroom provides space for activities and workshops. Entry to the gallery is free and schools are able to visit the space by arrangement, using the exhibitions as inspiration for study and for their own interpretive art work. The gallery is sometimes able to offer free workshops by exhibiting artists to schools in Ribble Valley and exhibitions have accompanying learning sheets and quizzes. They offer High School placements for young people wanting to develop their experience behind the scenes of an art gallery and within the Arts Development service, providing the chance to gain hands on experience and develop employment potential for the rare and highly competitive arts sector jobs that are available in the future. A visit to the Platform Gallery allows pupils to experience being in a contemporary gallery space which is accessible and friendly and is located in a town which provides other opportunities for schools to complement a visit (Clitheroe Castle Museum, Ribble Valley Sculpture Trail, The Grand). A visit will support classroom based DT and arts/craft learning by seeing the work of professional craftspeople at close hand.