Spotlight on The Old Parcels Office, Scarborough

At SCAF, we’re passionate about signposting our community to outstanding regional galleries and organisations. One space that’s truly excelling in platforming regional artists is The Old Parcels Office (OPO) in Scarborough. With a stunning venue and a dedicated team of volunteers and artists, OPO is fast becoming a cultural hotspot in Yorkshire’s art scene.

We recently had the pleasure of visiting OPO to explore their latest exhibition, Unsettled Grounds, and to tour their exciting expansion into Scarborough’s Old Town, where they’ve launched a series of pop-up shops and mini gallery spaces. We’re deeply inspired by the energy and commitment the OPO team brings to the arts in Scarborough, and we’re thrilled to share their thriving projects with you.

Running from 11 October to 2 November, Unsettled Grounds brought together 13 artists working across diverse practices, each responding to their northern surroundings. The exhibition made full use of the dramatic architecture of the Old Parcels Office, showcasing a rich variety of works—from large sculptural installations and dynamic abstract paintings to intricate ceramic vessels.

Textile artist Alice Boot captivated viewers with her fibre-based works, which evoke coastal landscapes from her childhood. Suspended in the building’s lofty industrial space, her fibrous structures seemed to emerge organically from the architecture itself, creating a powerful dialogue between material and place.

Boot’s work also intersected with the ceramic pieces by Rachel Wood, whose vessels felt like raw, untamed extensions of the landscape. Marked by the tactile process of her craft, Wood’s large-scale ceramics commanded attention, their complex surfaces resonating with the surrounding space and the exhibition’s themes.

Also of note were the dramatic, dreamlike photographs by Hannah Guy. Guy’s theatrical compositions of people and landscape draw attention with their bold, high contrast lights.

Unsettled Grounds was a compelling showcase of artistic interpretations of landscape, thoughtfully curated to highlight the unique character of the OPO.

Revitalising Scarborough’s Old Town

Beyond the exhibition, we explored OPO’s vibrant new initiatives in Scarborough’s Old Town. Through pop-up shops and gallery spaces—including Glassbox Gallery, Gallery 33, Studio 49, and Mandy Apple—OPO is injecting fresh creative energy into this often-overlooked part of town. The atmosphere is buzzing with possibility, and thanks to OPO’s vision, that potential feels tangible.

One particularly exciting development is OPO’s acquisition of the old Shakespeare pub, now being transformed into a venue for performance and theatrical arts—a brilliant addition to Scarborough’s cultural landscape.

Studio 49 recently hosted a residency by Mary-Ann Stevens, a finalist in our 2025 Emerging Artist Award. Her vibrant, humorous papier-mâché sculptures brought a joyful presence to the space, complemented by a mix of paintings, illustrations, and collaborative works with other local artists.

Mary-Ann has a remarkable gift for creating characters that speak volumes without words. Visiting her show was a delightful experience - one that reminded us of the magic artists bring to the spaces they inhabit.

We absolutely recommend keeping an eye on the Old Parcels Office website for upcoming exhibitions and events, both at their main gallery and across their growing network of creative spaces in Scarborough’s Old Town. Whether you’re planning a seaside day out or seeking artistic inspiration, a visit to OPO is a must.

A heartfelt thank you to Sally Gorham and Jacqui Barrowcliffe for giving Lydia and I a whistle-stop tour of all things OPO, and to Mary-Ann Stevens for welcoming us into Studio 49 during her show.

Follow OPO on Instagram: @oldparcelsofficeartspace

Mary-Ann Stevens: @maryannstevensartist