Monthly Happenings | October

October arrives with the full richness of autumn: crisp air, golden hues and a gentler rhythm. Mark the month with five memorable happenings, from an exhibition depicting ancient landscapes to a panel talk with TOAST and Unitom.

Ancient Landscape, Modern Times at the Holburne

Showcasing British artists working from the 1910s to the 1940s, Ancient Landscape, Modern Times explores creative responses to the South Downs and the chalklands of Wiltshire, Dorset and the Chilterns. Known for its ancient hill carvings and dramatic white cliffs, this southern corner of England has long inspired art and literature. Developed by writer and curator James Russell, the exhibition brings together paintings, drawings, prints and archival material to explore how artists engaged with this landscape while the world around them rapidly changed.

Ancient Landscape, Modern Times is on at the Holborne from 3 October to 10 January.

Frieze London 2026

Frieze London returns to The Regent's Park to platform ambitious emerging artists and galleries, pre-20th-century works and a focused exploration of queer visual history. Across its multiple strands, the fair considers the shifting landscape of art and the ways London has remained a cultural meeting point for artists, galleries, collectors and audiences from around the world. Highlights of this year's presentation include solo projects from Dalton Paul at Lisson and AMarina Perez Simão at Pace Gallery, alongside a curated section, The Code Universe.

Frieze is on at The Regent’s Park from 14-18 October.

Once Around the Sun: Seasonal Rituals, Food, and Stories from a House Upstate

Once Around the Sun is a celebration of seasonal living, inspired by author Lisa Przystup's life in the Western Catskills. Through immersive photography, lyrical writing and simple recipes, the book offers guidance on living slowly, thoughtfully and in tune with your surroundings. Contributions from chefs, writers and creatives – including April Valencia of Masa Memory – share inspiring rituals and reflections that embrace the unique rhythms of the seasons.

Once Around the Sun is published by Monacelli on 14 October.

Folklore, Myths & Legends at The Gallery at Green & Stone

Rooted in the relationship between craftsmanship, history and storytelling, Folklore, Myths & Legends is a group exhibition curated by artist Venetia Higgins. Across painting, ceramics, textiles, woodwork, printmaking, sculpture and metalwork by 36 contemporary makers, the show reflects the continued relevance of traditional craft and handmade objects. Symbolic animal motifs and references to local tales feature across the pieces, forming a rich and varied curation of work.

Folklore, Myths & Legends is on at The Gallery at Green & Stone from 6-17 October.

David Gilbert: Slips at Flatland

This autumn, Flatland Projects is hosting the first UK exhibition of LA-based artist David Gilbert. Spotlighting a body of photographs, alongside collage-based installations, Slips positions paper as a medium for examining queerness, identity and representation. Works of note include Flickers, a paper cut-out of an English castle with hand-drawn windows, and Solar System, which captures mixed-media constructions made and displayed in the artist’s Los Angeles studio.

David Gilbert: Slips is on at Flatlands from 3 October to 16 January.

Image 1: Eric Ravilious, Beachy Head, 1939. Watercolour and pencil on paper. Towner Collection. Photography by Towner Eastbourne.

Image 2: Tamo Jugeli, Autumn Garden, 2026. Presented by Bukia Vakhania. Courtesy of Frieze London.

Image 3: Lisa working in the garden. Photograph © John Hesselbarth and Kate Foster (page 15).

Image 4: Shucking corn. Photograph © John Hesselbarth and Kate Foster (page 51).

Image 5: Emma Carlow, Day Break, 2024. Courtesy of Green & Stone.

Image 6: David Gilbert, Window Frame, 2023. Archival inkjet print. Courtesy of Chris Sharp Gallery and Flatland Projects. Copyright David Gilbert.

Image 7: David Gilbert, Solar System, 2023. Archival inkjet print. Courtesy of Chris Sharp Gallery and Flatland Projects. Copyright David Gilbert.