****THE TIME LIMIT ON THIS PRINT IS NOW EXPIRED. OUR THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO ORDERED A PRINT. SIGNED, NUMBERED PRINTS WILL BE DELIVERED IN AUGUST****

If you wish to support the Gala, please join our band of Marras or make a donation here.

2025 limited edition art print for the 139th Durham Miners Gala.

WE ARE STILL HERE!

A beautiful, hand made limited edition art print by Bob and Roberta Smith, celebrating the resilience of the communities of the Durham Coalfield - and raising money for the Gala!

Following the success of last year’s limited edition art print, we're excited to establish this as an annual tradition in partnership with arts organisation Building Culture CIC. This year we are collaborating with acclaimed contemporary artist, Bob and Roberta Smith.

‘We Are Still Here!’ by Bob and Roberta Smith

Patrick Brill (b. 1963), known professionally as Bob and Roberta Smith, is a British contemporary artist, writer, musician and passionate advocate for art education. Renowned for his iconic slogan-based artwork, his best-known pieces include Make Art Not War (1997), now held in the Tate collection, and Letter to Michael Gove (2011), a protest artwork addressing the then-Education Secretary. Bob and Roberta Smith see art as an important element in democratic life. Much of his art takes the form of painted signs. Central to Bob and Roberta Smith’s thinking is the idea that campaigns are extended art works.

For this year’s Gala, he has created a bold, text-based work titled We Are Still Here! The artwork celebrates the resilience and solidarity of our Durham Coalfield communities keeping our traditions alive more than a generation on from the Miners Strike and colliery closures. The print features the names of the 77 communities of the Durham Coalfield that in 2025 have active banner groups keeping the flame alive. Each year, more than 60 of these communities parade their banners in Durham on Gala day.

The original artwork, hand-painted on plywood, has been expertly digitised for the giclée printing process. Each print will be professionally produced on fine art paper, individually numbered and signed by the artist. Prints will be despatched in August and postage and packing is included in your donation.

To help us achieve these high-quality prints, we’ve partnered with Prints of Thieves, an independent studio based in Leeds known for their commitment to quality and their passion for art, music, and culture. Renowned for producing collectible prints, they’re working closely with us to help bring this to life.

Bob and Roberta Smith prints are highly collectable. Thanks to his generous support and our solidarity pricing, a donation of just £50 or more to the Friends of Durham Miners’ Gala secures your limited-edition print. As well as supporting the Gala, it’s a rare opportunity to own a signed work by one of the UK’s leading contemporary artists at a price that keeps art accessible.

Order yours by completing the form below with your donation. You can also order in person at the Marras Gala Shop marquee near the Pavilion on The Racecourse on Gala Day (Saturday 12 July).

Print size: A3 Process: Giclee Paper: Fotospeed Studio Etching Rag 295gsm 

Bob and Roberta Smith’s design will also features on this year’s official Gala merchandise - including T-shirts and badges -which will launch soon and provide another great way to support the Gala and own a piece of this iconic collaboration. Products will be available at the Gala shop on the Racecourse on Gala day and in the online Gala shop here.

More about the artist

Bob and Roberta Smith is an associate professor at the School of Art, Architecture and Design at London Metropolitan University and has curated public art projects such as Art U Need. He was curator for the 2006 Peace Camp and created the 2013 Art Party to promote contemporary art and advocacy. His works have been exhibited and are in collections in Europe and the United States. Brill co-founded The Ken Ardley Playboys and hosts the Make Your Own Damn Music radio show.

Find out more: http://bobandrobertasmith.co.uk/

The original artwork, handpainted on plywood, will be auctioned after the Gala.

On behalf of everyone who believes in the Gala, we thank Patrick for supporting us with this collaboration.

To order, please complete the form below with your details, making a donation of £50 or more. All proceeds will go to the Friends of Durham Miners Gala to help fund the Gala.

We are still here!