Stockton-on-Tees photographer and visual storyteller Adam Parkin is marking more than 20 years of documenting the Stockton International Riverside Festival (SIRF) with a major new exhibition at ARC.
Entitled SIRF’s Up 2026: 20 Years Photographing the Festival, the exhibition opens on Tuesday 14th July and showcases a carefully curated collection of photographs capturing two decades of one of the UK’s most celebrated outdoor arts festivals.
Parkin first began photographing SIRF in 2005 and has spent the past 20 years documenting the colour, creativity, emotion and community spirit that have become synonymous with the annual event. His images chart the festival’s evolution, capturing everything from spectacular street theatre performances and large-scale installations to intimate moments between performers and audiences.
Returning to ARC a decade after his first SIRF exhibition, Parkin’s latest showcase presents an expanded body of work that reflects not only the artistic spectacle of the festival but also the people and shared experiences that make it such an important part of Stockton’s cultural identity.
Speaking about the exhibition, Adam said: “This exhibition celebrates more than the images themselves – it’s about the experience of the festival. For over 20 years I’ve watched SIRF evolve, surprise and bring joy to Stockton and its visitors. These photographs are shared memories, moments that still spark something when you see them again years later.”
The exhibition features photographs spanning from 2005 to the present day, offering a nostalgic journey for long-time festival-goers while introducing new audiences to the rich history and significance of SIRF. Visitors will be able to explore two decades of festival memories through the eyes of a photographer who has witnessed its story unfold year after year.
For Adam, SIRF is more than just a subject to photograph. His connection with the festival stretches back to childhood. His parents attended SIRF in 1991, just days before he was born, and he has attended almost every festival since. Alongside his photography, he has also served as a Visitor Experience Ambassador for the festival since 2014, further deepening his relationship with the event and its community.
Located in ARC’s downstairs gallery space near the cinema, SIRF’s Up 2026: 20 Years Photographing the Festival runs from Tuesday 14th July until Saturday 8th August.
For further information, head to arconline.co.uk.
