A contemporary art gallery has relocated from Kirbymoorside to Harrogate.
Bils & Rye on John Street specialise in 3D works such as sculptures and ceramics, as well as abstract paintings. The owner said there’s room in the market and he hopes the move will add to Harrogate’s rich culture scene.
The owner, Nick Bentley, decided to move his gallery to Harrogate as a result of taking part in an arts festival in 2015. He told the Stray Ferret that Harrogate has great competition for art galleries and he would much rather position himself among his idols in the business.
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He said:
“Harrogate has always been a top destination and the strength of the competition here is brilliant. I think there’s room in the market. We have a very different offering to other galleries, yet I think we can work quite well together and put Harrogate on the map as an art destination.
The gallery will be selling sculptures by Simon Gudgen, as well as internationally acclaimed contemporary British painter Dion Salvador Lloyd.
Despite opening up during a pandemic, Nick told the Stray Ferret that covid has given him more opportunities. He said:
“For me, corona was like a gift of time – it really gave me time to think and realise that this is what I want to do. Because I am relocating the business it gave me chance to say ‘lets do it, but let’s do it right’.”
The gallery will open its doors for the first time in Harrogate this weekend and visitors are advised to pre book an appointment.
Young Ripon artists display work at Royal AcademyThree talented Ripon Grammar School artists have been selected from more than 17,700 students to have their paintings on display in a national exhibition.
The works by Isaac Henson, Hugo Wade and Milly Lennox will sit among those by 400 young artists picked by a panel of experts for the Royal Academy Summer Show, which launches online on July 12.
Milly, 15, from Ripon, said of her still life of a fish in acrylic:
“I really enjoyed using tone and texture and using my imagination to enhance the painting. I love being creative and find art a good break from other lessons, which don’t allow as much personal input.”
Isaac, 15, from near Kirkby Malzeard, enjoys exploring different forms and shapes and his painting of a building designed by architect Frank Gehry was chosen for the Royal Academy show.
Issac who is also from an artistic family hopes to continue creating art.
Young artist Hugo with his painting
Hugo, 13, from Studley Roger (pictured above) revealed that his painting was inspired by a photograph of a building in Ripon. He said:
“I couldn’t believe it when I heard I had been selected. It was very exciting.”
He would now like to go to art school and pursue a career in art, perhaps as a graphic designer.
Open to students up to 19 years old, the Young Artists’ exhibition, which provides a national platform to recognise particularly high quality student work, is now in its second year.
RGS head of art Fiona Henson said it was a real honour to be picked for such a prestigious national art show:
“We are thrilled to have three students selected and this was made even more special as we were determined lockdown was not going to stop our submission.”
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Supported by philanthropist Robin Hambro, the judging panel consisted of Royal Academician Cathie Pilkington, curator and head of the Royal Academy Schools, Eliza Bonham Carter and RA Schools students Catinca Malaimare and James Lomax.
Mr Hambro, said:
“It is such an important exhibition of artworks from young people, and the standard is very high. The enthusiasm for this exhibition shows how important art is for young minds and must always be a part of their educational life,”