Black Swan Arts Open 2026
August - September 2026
Marc was delighted to be accepted into the Black Swan Arts Open 2026 - the 40th anniversary of the gallery’s flagship exhibition, with his Three Parakeets in F Minor sculpture.
For this sculpture, the piano keys that the birds are perched on are made from a Beckhardt Berlin upright (1920) and are arranged in an F minor chord shape. The birds are made from various piano parts from the same piano that was in disrepair and saved from landfill.
Bechstein blue cloth from a piano restoration project was used on the tails.
The F Minor chord is a dark favourite with musicians for its moody, melancholic sound.
Frome Open Art Trail 2026
July 2026
Took part in Frome’s popular Open Art Trail again in 2026.
Opening his studio across two weekends, visitors were able to view sculptures, see sculptures in progress and discuss Marc’s work, pianos and art in this informal setting.
School Workshops - King Edward School and Kingswood School, Bath
March 2026
King Edward School, Bath
Put on talks and workshops for the school’s Career Day, discussing materials used, processes and open discussions with students. During the workshop, students were able to make their own designs using piano parts.
Kingswood School, Bath
Invited to the school’s annual Piano Day to give a talk in the theatre discussing the history of the piano, piano tuning and restoration and using piano parts from disused pianos as a medium for sculpture.
Piano Shop Bath Window Display 2026
December 2025 to present - The Piano Shop Bath, 1&2 Canton Place, Bath, BA1 6AA
In December 2025, The Piano Shop Bath invited Marc to create a window display across their series of three Georgian Townhouse windows in central Bath on busy London Road.
The window display featured ‘Choir of Birds’ made with an unusual restored Steck upright piano with a striking curved keybed. The piece has hand painted backdrops featuring landscapes of the surrounding areas of Bath, and a Scarlet Ibis ‘conducting’ hand carved songbirds from around the world coming out of the top panel.
Other pieces in the display included a Stork perched on a nest of keys on a grand piano frame, and a Toucan holding sheet music, made from and Ibach Sohn grand piano.
Marc’s sculptures and bespoke pianos joined Julieann Worrall Hood’s striking ‘Joyful Sound’ sculpture creating multiple artworks all showcasing the beauty of pianos and their component parts.
Played and Remade
Played and Remade Exhibition
April 2024 to present - The Piano Shop Bath, 1&2 Canton Place, Bath, BA1 6AA
The Piano Shop Bath has collaborated with sculptural and fine artists to use scrap pianos in works of art. Marc Hackworthy has numerous works on display in the shop’s gallery.
It’s an amazing space where the piano-based art is displayed above pianos from some of the finest manufacturers. I love the way working and retired pianos that have a new life as sculptural art, sit together, celebrating the instruments.
The space is constantly changing as new works replace sold art, and new pianos replace sold pianos.
The gallery says, “Our vision is one of transformation, where aged pianos find new purpose as curated art pieces, created from recycled components. Collaborating closely with selected sculptural and fine artists, we endeavour to breathe fresh life into these beloved instruments, transcending their original form and function.”
Marc Hackworthy’s pieces can be viewed at The Piano Shop Bath
Frome Open Art Trail 2025
5th - 13th July 2025
Marc Hackworthy is exhibiting from his Somerset studio during the Frome Open Art Trail, which takes place annually during the Frome Festival.
The Frome Open Art Trail celebrates local artists and makers, taking place alongside the Frome Festival. The 2025 Frome Open Art Trail will take place from Saturday 5th - Sunday 13th July 2025.
Over the last few years the Frome Open Art Trail has grown in strength and reputation attracting an increasing number of art lovers who enjoy meeting and buying directly from the artists.
The Frome Open Art Trail will take place in homes, studios, workshops and venues.
Marc Hackworthy’s pieces can be viewed during the event.