Artists to discover at galleries and studios across Yorkshire

NORTH YORKSHIRE

STACEY MOORE ART GALLERY

Pencil Drawings

Think detailed, exquisite and organic pencil illustrations and you’ll get a pretty good idea of the incredible work of North Yorkshire artist Stacey Moore. The award-winning artist focuses on creating intricate artwork using coloured pencils, and specialises in British wildlife and farm animals.

‘I’m so proud to call the Yorkshire Dales my home,’ she says. With stunning landscapes, vibrant communities and a vast array of animals, I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.’

Working in coloured pencil allows me to draw animals in detail and capture their character. I love the feel and control I can get with a pencil; the textures, vibrancy and detail I can achieve with this medium is like no other. I hope to bring these animals to life through my drawings.’

Since becoming professional in 2016 she has two galleries; one in her hometown of Hawes and one in Richmond Market Place.

Market Place, Hawes DL83QX; 18 Market Place, Richmond DL10 4PX; visit

STAITHES GALLERY

Contemporary and Coastal Art

Staithes has long been known for its artistic roots and heritage due to The Staithes Group of bohemian artists setting up in the town more than 100 years ago, and it’s no surprise really that the pretty coastal town inspires creative flair.

Staithes Gallery is housed in an elegant Georgian building on Staithes High Street and features three floors of contemporary coastal artwork, sculpture and photography.

‘Our aim at Staithes Gallery is to provide a showcase right in the heart of the old village for the very best contemporary artwork inspired by Staithes and the surrounding area,’ says owner Allison Yates. ‘Our exhibitions reflect the quality and variety of art stimulated by this most inspirational of villages.’

Post-lockdown opening is by appointment only at the moment, but times can be very flexible. To arrange a visit call Staithes Gallery on 07972 012464 or email al@staithesgallery.co.uk.

High Street, Staithes TS13 5BH; visit staithesgallery.co.uk

WATERMARK GALLERY

Contemporary Art and Children’s Illustration

This family-run gallery in Harrogate is one of the few galleries in the UK to stock original illustrations from children’s books – a niche they’ve become well known for. From 4-30 September, they will be hosting an exclusive exhibition of work by Jane Ray, a highly acclaimed illustrator of over 60 children’s books.

Having opened new premises in the centre of Harrogate only three weeks before Covid-19 lockdown, Watermark Gallery has had a tough start. The craft business sells a comprehensive range of affordable, original paintings, limited edition prints, children’s illustration, ceramics, jewellery, glass and sculpture by over 40 professional artists from Yorkshire and the UK. Right in the middle of the creative heart of Harrogate, the gallery is opposite the Pump Room Museum and around the corner from the beautiful Mercer Art Gallery.

8 Royal Parade, Harrogate HG1 2SZ; open Tuesday to Saturday, 10-5pm visit watermarkgallery.co.uk

MILL BRIDGE GALLERY

Fine Art Photography and Sculpture

Although Mill Bridge Gallery in Skipton has postponed its official programme of exhibitions until 2021, the gallery is back open for people to browse and visit. Opening from 11-4pm on Saturdays, but at any other time for private views, pre-arranged by email or telephone, they have opened their doors with a new joint exhibition by Craven Arts artists.

Communicating with Nature is a pop-up exhibition by 24 Craven Arts artists who showing some of their recent work post-lockdown. A variety of artwork is included and the exhibition will continue throughout the summer, changing as pieces sell. Mill Bridge Gallery is in the most beautiful 17th century building with a peaceful canal-side garden, so they are hopeful that as many people as possible will find their way to the gallery.

‘The new opening hours and private views seem to be working well, as we are now used to making appointments for everything and I find people are more confident doing this at the moment,’ says owner Carina Wardle. ‘Small galleries are perfect places to visit safely, and with all the major events/spaces cancelled for the rest of the year, artists are very much relying on us as their only exhibition space.’

3 Mill Bridge, Skipton BD23 1NJ; visit millbridgegallery.co.uk

WEST YORKSHIRE

SUNKEN STUDIO

Pottery Studio

For something a little bit different and more of a studio format than a traditional gallery, Sunken Studio in Leeds is the largest independent ceramics centre in Yorkshire and a must-visit for any craft and ceramics enthusiast. Studio space is now open again to members and for courses, classes and they can offer e-courses too with materials sent out to you.

The beautiful space is open as a pottery-making destination for adults in the South Bank area of Leeds. Facilities include potter’s wheels, kilns, spacious group workspaces, and well-equipped material and fabrication labs.

‘Our studio is a peaceful environment to learn new skills and explore and our courses and products are deeply affirming and satisfying,’ explains director Rebecca Catterall. ‘Our name, Sunken, evokes memories of digging, discovering, delving, and unearthing. Through physical, material and social connections we join mind, body and matter to relate with our humanity. Not bad for a rude material!’

Sunken Studio, Beaver House, Carlisle Road, Leeds LS10 1LB; visit sunkenstudio.co.uk

WATER STREET GALLERY

Contemporary Fine Art

Artists Rosemary and Mike Holcroft, who are both graduates of the Royal College of Art London, established Water Street Gallery in Todmorden. While Mike continues with his art, Rosemary is now more involved in the curatorial aspects of. Today, you can visit to see ­­­nd up and coming talents. There is also a craft and gift gallery that fully compliments the whole art experience.

Whether you prefer to look and buy online or visit the gallery and shop, there is plenty to see and enjoy, with over 350 artists, makers and designers associated with the gallery. New items are arriving on a daily basis with sparkly vintage jewellery by Annie Sherburne being exhibited as we speak.

25 Water Street, Todmorden OL14 5AB; visit

WEST RIDING OF YORKSHIRE

CHRIS CYPRUS GALLERY

Paintings and Landscapes

Chris Cyprus is a highly acclaimed artist, working just on the border of Yorkshire and Lancashire. He’s inspired by his sense of place, the Yorkshire countryside and landscapes, and has made his living painting the sweeping northern landscapes and scenes of the towns and villages within the three counties.

In 2005, Chris’s Northern Lights series, won him critical acclaim after featuring on BBC One Show in 2016, and a sell out Manchester exhibition confirmed the popularity of the work, placing him on the map as one of the North’s leading artists. You can visit his studio in Woodend Mill. Chris is really happy to be welcoming people back to his studio by appointment, adhering to social distancing measures, of course, and is currently planning an exhibition at the end of the year. 3rd Floor, Mill 2, Woodend Mill, Warmco Industrial Estate, Mossley OL5 9AT; visit chriscyprus.com

EAST YORKSHIRE

GALLERY 49

Contemporary Mixed Media

Situated at No.1, Market Place in the Old Town area of Bridlington, Gallery 49 occupies two floors of a Georgian listed building and has four exhibition spaces with an exciting range of paintings, sculpture, jewellery and ceramics by contemporary British artists and artisans skilled in their craft. If browsing galleries to buy art is your thing, Gallery Forty-Nine stocks Sir Peter Blake limited edition prints, as well as work from Sir Terry Frost, Barbara Rae and Alan Davie. They also stock David Hockney’s Yorkshire poster prints, some of which are rare editions, and a number of limited edition etchings both signed and unsigned, from Grimm’s Fairy Tales.

And for those of you who have really missed planning their weekend jaunts out to cultural exhibitions and to discover new works of art, you’ll be pleased to hear that Gallery Forty-Nine is already up and running with a new exhibition a few weeks after reopening. Landscapes of the Mind is a two-part exhibition with an emphasis on nature, natural forms, and the abstraction of landscape. Featuring original paintings by Janine Baldwin, alongside a diverse collection of ceramics by Jill Ford, Rowen Ford, Michelle Freemantle and Ilona Sulikova, it’s not one to miss.

1 Market Pl, Bridlington YO16 4QJ; opening Thursday-Saturday, 11:30-4pm; due to limited space, and to keep our customers safe, only one individual (or a small group who live in the same household) will be permitted entry at any one time; visit galleryforty-nine.com

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