Facilities & Recreation Committee – July 14th 2026
Spennymoor Town Council Facilities & Recreation Committee Order of Business - Meeting to be held July 14th 2026
The works of Prussian-born artist, Tisa Hess, will be displayed at the Bob Abley Art Gallery in Spennymoor Town Hall, from Thursday 4th September until Saturday 29th November.
Featuring almost 40 works, the exhibition includes her collection of 13 ‘Spennymoor Letters’, Tisa’s observations of local life, a series of sketches documenting her time in the town during the interwar years.
The exhibition also features written accounts, sculptures and artefacts that reflect Spennymoor’s social and industrial heritage.
Tisa played a significant role in the development of European art and was awarded the federal Cross of Merit by German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, for her contribution to the arts. There is a museum dedicated to her work in Dorsten, Germany and there are collections in North East institutions such as Durham University Collections, and MIMA in Middlesbrough.
Tisa’s work shares a glimpse at how people, place and legacy is rooted in the community she lived in during the 1930’s and is a record of life in the wider Durham Coalfields of the North East.
Community and Culture Manager, Debbie Connell, said: “Spennymoor has always had a proud history of art and creativity shaped by its people and places, and this exhibition brings to life a unique moment in our town’s history, reminding us of the power of art to bring people together and tell a story.
“We are delighted to be able to showcase Tisa’s work and celebrate her connection to the area and we’re hopeful that this exhibition excites our community about our town’s unique place in the history of European art.”
During her time in Spennymoor, Tisa taught art at the Spennymoor Settlement and worked alongside several well-known local artists including Norman Cornish, Bert Dees, Bill Farrell and Robert Heslop, all of whose work can also be seen at the gallery.
A collaboration between Spennymoor Town Council, the Bob Abley Gallery, and the Spennymoor Settlement, the showcase has been developed with the support of one of the gallery volunteers; John Banham, local historian; and Malcolm Marsden from the Spennymoor Settlement.
The exhibition is open to the public from Thursday 4th September until Saturday 29th November. The gallery is open Monday to Saturday, from 10am to 4pm, admission is free.
A special talk by John Banham will take place in the gallery on Saturday 6th September at 1pm, exploring Tisa’s time in Spennymoor and the wider cultural and social landscape of the time period, the talk is a ticketed event – tickets are limited and available on this link.
