Discover work from leading artists at local venues

St John Street Gallery

‘Animals’ is the title of Mary Herbert’s July exhibition at the Ashbourne gallery – 26th July to 16th August, Mon-Sat 9.30am-5pm. Although she enjoys working in other media and with a range of subjects, pastel paintings of animals are Mary’s speciality. The nuances of their character, appearance and surrounding landscape fascinate her and are something to which she constantly returns. She states, ‘Animals continuously teach me about the visual world as well as about sentience and humanity.’

To 6th July Buxton artist Louise Jannetta’s ‘More than Paint’ exhibition can be seen. Wendy Darker will be holding a workshop on ‘Painting a Horse’ on 29th July.

Ridgeway Gallery

The gallery just off Bakewell’s historic Rutland Square is staging a mixed exhibition of paintings by various local artists this July. It will include new work by popular regular exhibitor Julian Mason and several paintings by a newcomer to the gallery, Richard Holland. Richard is based in Tansley and is known for his landscapes of Derbyshire, the Lake District, the North Yorkshire coastline and the Scilly Isles.

Derby Cathedral Centre

Chesterfield-based lettering artist Elizabeth Forrest has selected seven pieces of text from St Francis of Assissi’s Canticle of the Sun, his hymn of praise to God, as the basis for her July exhibition at Derby Cathedral Centre. Painting with acrylic and gouache paint, Elizabeth has selected a different colour of heavily textured hand-made paper to reflect each subject. A member of the Peak District Artisans since 2007, Elizabeth’s work combines her love of words with ‘a passion for colour, texture and pattern’.

Her work can be seen in the Sir Richard Morris Lounge from 1st to 31st July, Monday to Saturday, 9am to 5pm, closed Sundays.

Derby Museum & Art Gallery

‘Joseph Wright of Derby: Bath and Beyond’ – when this exhibition was first on show at Bath’s Holborne Museum earlier this year, plaudits included: ‘A cracking show about a fascinating painter’ (Richard Dorment, The Telegraph). At the top of many Derbeians list of the city’s greatest sons, Joseph Wright (1734-1797) lived and worked in Bath between November 1775 and June 1777. A brief but important stay that marked an important stage in his development as an artist. This intelligently put together exhibition – excellently staged by the Derby Museum team – leads to an even greater appreciation of one of this country’s finest artists. On display until 31st August.

The Great Dome Art Fair

Part of Buxton’s Festival Fringe with its amazing variety of events and exhibitions, Peak District Artisans’ annual award-winning event takes place on 19th and 20th July, 10am–4.30pm. Held in the Devonshire Dome, it showcases the amazing quality and range of talent within the group of artists, ceramicists, furniture makers, designer makers and artisans. In addition to showing their work, members give demonstrations and talks. The winner of the group’s Young Artist of the Year competition will be exhibiting and the popular silent auction of work by 16 members will raise money for local charity Helen’s Trust. One of the members contributing to the auction is Ashover-based woodturner and former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Derby Roger Waterhouse, whose donation includes a day in his workshop for the winner to create their own woodturned object. Roger will also be giving an insightful talk on exploring woods and their artistic possibilities.

Also showing...

Bramshall Art Group: Annual Exhibition, 19th-20th, 10am-5pm at the Parish Hall, Bramshall, Uttoxeter ST14 5BQ.

Buxton Museum: Derbyshire Open Exhibition, in its 32nd year, from 28th June to 5th September.

Chesterfield Art Club: 5th-6th July a display of over 40 member’s work at Rowsley Village Hall, DE4 2EE, 10am-5pm. Various styles and subjects.

Cromford Studio & Gallery: Market Place, watercolours by Martin Sloman.

Derby Royal Hospital: Derby based artist group Morph Creatives is showing new work including painting, installation, printmaking and sculpture until 30th August.

Derby QUAD: The Pride and The Passion: Contemporary Art, Football and The Derby County Collection. Exhibition which documents the essence of ‘the football crowd’ and ‘the football icon’, documenting the energy, politics, tribalism and zeal of the fan, and the status and impact of the hero figure, through a range of film, sculptural and photographic works. Also archival images and artefacts relating to Derby County Football Club, in collaboration with The Derby County Collection. To 7th September.

DH Lawrence Heritage Centre Eastwood NG16 3DZ: Ruth Gray’s series of 40 paintings celebrating the iconic Ripley Rattlers Route, which was operated from 1913 - 1933 by the Notts & Derby tramway company. To 13th July.

‘A Sense of Place’ Peak Prints wood engravings on show from 18th to 20th July at The Manor, Alstonefield; and Beechenhill Farm, Ilam DE6 2BD from 25th July to 7th August.