Art lovers are spoilt for choice over the next few weeks, with these four exhibitions in Northumberland and Tyne & Wear:
The first features an exploration of the life and work of noted portrait painter Sir William Coldstream, and is being held at Belford Museum. Beginning on Monday 2nd October, the event runs for a fortnight.
The Granary Gallery in Berwick-upon-Tweed is currently hosting an exhibition entitled ‘Scottish Colourists from the Fleming Collection’. It runs until 15th October (closed Mondays). The Colourists are one of the most admired schools of the early twentieth century.
If watercolours are your bag, head to Jesmond Dene House, Newcastle-upon-Tyne where – until 13th October – you can see an exhibition by artist Peter Quinn, who studied at Glasgow School of Art. 
His watercolours capture the spirit of a place, whether it’s the Victorian terraces of Gosforth and Jesmond, the harbour towns of his native Scotland, or more far-flung locations, including Venice, Bangkok and New York.
The Alnwick committee of the NSPPC are hosting an evening with award-winning Northumberland-based artist Mary Ann Rogers at Alnwick Lodge on 10th October. Working from her studio and gallery at West Woodburn, Mary Ann paints vibrant watercolours that are full of energy.
Hauxley Nature Reserve, Amble, is holding an ‘In Focus’ event on Sunday 8th October. Visitors will have an opportunity to try and buy a range of binoculars, telescopes and other optical equipment.
The string quartet, Methera – who have broadcast on Radio 3 and toured nationally – will be performing at the Coquetdale Music Trust in Thropton on 10th October. The quartet, whose roots are in English traditional music, are said to ‘blaze a trail through the uncharted territory that lies between folk and chamber music.’
Kielder Observatory is the venue for ‘A Universe Full of Stars’, exploring questions about our universe that have engaged civilisations for millennia: How did it start? How old is it? How big is it? How will it end? Delivered by expert tutors and accessible to all, this is a thought-provoking journey through understanding the reasons for our existence. After the talk, visitors will get the chance to learn about and use the wide aperture telescopes at the observatory, and if the skies are clear, to observe distant galaxies, nebulae and star clusters, while gazing at the glittering stars of the Milky Way from the observation deck.