The Watermark Gallery on Royal Parade is set to host its first exhibition since the remaining lockdown restrictions were lifted.
The gallery on Royal Parade was opened just three weeks before the first lockdown in March 2020.
It has been closed throughout the pandemic, but remained open online during the lockdowns.
Now, it’s set to open with an exhibition which celebrates the very best of the British seaside.
From deckchairs and ice cream vans to the much-loved coastline of North Yorkshire, the exhibition features new paintings by Harrogate-born Andrew Morris and Newcastle’s Emma Holliday in two different but complimentary styles.
Emma Holliday’s vibrant paintings capture the light and colour of coastal towns like Whitby, Staithes and Runswick Bay.
Meanwhile, Andrew Morris’s work focuses on the details and typography of the traditional English seafront, which has a striking, cinematic quality.
Also featured is new jewellery from Justin Duance, a specialist in using beach sand to casting jewellery.
Watermark Gallery owner Liz Hawkes said:
“In a year when most people have stayed at home for their holiday, this is a great opportunity to celebrate the British seaside with a lively, colourful exhibition by two very talented artists”.
The exhibition will run until the end of the month.
Read More:
-
First major event at Royal Hall since coronavirus will have restrictions
-
Free tours of Harrogate district landmarks during Heritage Open Days
Art becomes therapy for Pateley Bridge grandma with dementia
Joan Thomas says her grandson James’s art has helped with her dementia.
Mrs Thomas moved to Pateley Bridge to be with family during the first lockdown after struggling to live alone. Since then she has been working with her grandson on a number of pieces.
During lockdown, James Thomas created a piece of art inspired by his grandma called ‘Isolation’. The piece is made out of discarded scratch cards.
The pair have always shared a love for art and Mr Thomas said his grandma often recalls memories from years ago when she helped him with his art.
Mrs Thomas, who was diagnosed with vascular dementia in 2017, said art helps her feel calm and focused. She also enjoys colouring herself:
“I like going to James’s exhibitions and seeing the art he’s done at home on display. I really enjoy doing art and spending time with him. There’s just a lot of things I can’t remember but art keeps me calm.”
Read more:
- Ripon actors get ready to raise the curtain after 18 months away
- A local photographer took this picture of Knaresborough Castle, send us your photos
Mr Thomas said he was pleased with the effect his art had on his grandma’s health:
“It’s a form of therapy for her and it helps her. Now she can be a part of the pieces I create from start to finish.
“She does her colouring completely alone, even though she can’t do anything else she can do that which is pretty marvellous.”
Mr Thomas added his grandma’s choice of colours and style is “perfect”.
Mr Thomas is currently putting pieces together to take part in some local exhibitions including the Nidd Art Trail and the Mercer Gallery REACT exhibition.
Joint contemporary art exhibition opens in HarrogateTwo titans of contemporary art, Peter King and Peter Wileman, are showing a collection of works in a joint exhibition at Walker Galleries starting this weekend.
The paintings draw on natural landscapes and still life, and while the artists’ approaches vary in degrees of abstraction, each piece is striking. All the art displayed will be on sale and priced individually.
A spokesperson for the Walker Galleries in Harrogate said:
“We felt that the two artists complimented one another. Both artists concentrate on traditional landscape subjects but give them a slightly abstract ‘edge’.
“Both of the artists are already well established at Walker Galleries and there has already been a lot of interest from regular and new clients.”
Peter King: ‘Winter Light, Arran’ £2,800
Contemporary Scottish artist Peter King takes inspiration from the light and landscape of his homeland, evoking nature through texture and free paint.
He was born in Glasgow in 1953 and studied art, specialising in drawing and painting, at the Glasgow Art School under the tutelage of David Donaldson RSA and Duncan Shanks RSA.
Walker Galleries described King’s style as “a range of motifs which he constantly returns to and reinterprets, focusing on aspects of changing moods of light, weather and season”.
Peter King: ‘Autumn Reflections, Arran’ £2,800
On the other hand, Walker Galleries called Peter Wileman‘s more abstract work “vigorous and full of drama”.
He was born in Middlesex in 1946 and has spent 40 years developing his bold, vigorous style to evoke atmosphere and explore the effect of light, winning many awards along the way.
Peter Wileman: ‘The Kiss of Dawn, Bamburgh’ £3,500
Wileman is a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, the former president and a fellow of the Royal Institute of Oil Painters, and a member of the Royal Society of Marine Artists and the East Anglian Group of Marine Artists.
The exhibition will be open between 10am and 5.30pm until July 10, and entry is free.
Peter Wileman: ‘Castle Nick, Hadrian’s Wall’ £5,850
Read more:
- Programme revealed for Harrogate’s crime writing festival
- Mystery shrouds Coco Chanel-designed wedding dress at Ripon Cathedral
Brass band to give free live performance on Harrogate Stray tonight
A brass band will give a free live performance tonight on the Stray in Harrogate from 7pm.
Harrogate Band will play hymns and gentle music alongside the In Memoriam artwork that was installed last week on West Park Stray as a memorial to NHS workers who have died due to covid.
In Memoriam, which is the first of a series of art installations organised by Harrogate International Festivals this summer, will be available to see until June 7.
Harrogate International Festivals organised tonight’s live music.
Harrogate Band consists of 25-30 members and has been performing for 51 years.
Band chairman Ed Dennis said;
“The band are delighted to be back performing after 14 months of not seeing each other of being able to make music together.
“We’re so pleased to be working with Harrogate International Festivals once again on this very special project.”
Catch them tonight in front of the memorial on the Stray from 7pm to 7:40pm.
Stray art installation opens to help people reflect on covid deadA giant art installation has opened on the Stray today to help people reflect on those who have lost their lives through coronavirus.
The piece, called In Memoriam, measures 36 metres in diameter and features more than 100 flags made from hospital bed sheets.
As well as a memorial to those who have died, it is also a tribute to those who have been on the frontline trying to save lives.
It’s been designed by award-winning artist Luke Jerram and will be on West Park Stray until June 7. After that it will move to Edinburgh, Fleetwood and Weston-super-Mare.
There is no entry fee and Harrogate International Festivals has commissioned a reflective piece of music called ‘A Moment of Time’, which you can find here.
Read more:
- Work starts on giant Stray artwork to remember covid dead
- Bank holiday weekend train travellers face delays and replacement buses
This is the first in a series of installations and events delivered in the months ahead by Harrogate International Festivals, which this year celebrates its 55th anniversary.
In Memoriam is being supported by Hornbeam Park Developments Ltd, Harrogate BID, and Swainsons Funeral Directors.
Sharon Canavar, Harrogate International Festivals chief executive, said
“Two years ago, we were lucky enough to bring Luke’s Museum of the Moon to St Wilfrid’s Church, which was one of the highlights of that summer’s international festival, and was visited by more than 10,000 people.
“As an arts charity delivering festivals and events, we were first to close and will be the last to open, but we can’t just open the doors on our venues and go straight back to normal.
“We wanted to create something unique in Harrogate that acknowledged the last year whilst allowing us to create a safe, outdoor event for the town.
“We don’t want people to just look at In Memoriam from afar, we want people to experience it; we want individuals, families and friends to walk into the heart of it; we want them to sit under the flags and quietly reflect the events of the last 15 months.”
Work started this morning on a huge art installation on the Stray to commemorate NHS staff and care workers and those who have lost their lives through coronavirus.
The piece, called In Memoriam, is set to be complete for its official opening on Friday.
Volunteers are using red and white flags to assess where the various pieces will go, close to the centre of West Park Stray.
Award-winning artist Luke Jerram designed the exhibit, which will be on the Stray until June 7. It will then be moved to Edinburgh, Fleetwood and Weston-super-Mare.
Ben Osborne (left), on behalf of the artist Luke Jerram, and Adam Long, on behalf of Harrogate International Festivals.
In Memoriam measures 36 metres in diameter and features more than 100 flags made from hospital bed sheets arranged in the form of a medical symbol.
This is the first in a series of installations and events delivered in the months ahead by Harrogate International Festivals, which this year celebrates its 55th anniversary.
How the artwork will look on Friday.
Sharon Canavar, Harrogate International Festivals chief executive, said
“Two years ago, we were lucky enough to bring Luke’s Museum of the Moon to St Wilfrid’s Church, which was one of the highlights of that summer’s international festival, and was visited by more than 10,000 people.
“As an arts charity delivering festivals and events, we were first to close and will be the last to open, but we can’t just open the doors on our venues and go straight back to normal.
“We wanted to create something unique in Harrogate that acknowledged the last year whilst allowing us to create a safe, outdoor event for the town.
“We don’t want people to just look at In Memoriam from afar, we want people to experience it; we want individuals, families and friends to walk into the heart of it; we want them to sit under the flags and quietly reflect the events of the last 15 months.”
In Memoriam is being supported by Hornbeam Park, Harrogate BID, and Swainsons Funeral Directors.
Has Banksy painted a mural in Scotton?The owners of the historic Guy Fawkes Arms in Scotton are trying to find out whether a mural, which appeared on their pub yesterday, is a genuine Banksy.
Danielle and Adam Vear were shocked to discover the image featuring Guy Fawkes, who lived in the village, when it appeared in broad daylight yesterday at about 3.30pm.
The spray paint and stencil mural, which bears a Banksy signature, shows covid passports dropping from a barrel held by Fawkes into a burning Houses of Parliament.
The quality of the mural, plus the fact it was done so quickly, suggests it is the work of a talented artist. But is it a Banksy? Ms Vear said:
“I really don’t know. Whoever did it is good and put a lot of thought into it. Everyone is intrigued by it.”
The couple think the artist appeared when they were in the pub. Remarkably, nobody seems to have spotted them even though the pub is situated in the heart of the village.
The Vears are now trying to verify the work by contacting the pest control website set up for such a purpose.
If it is a Banksy, it would be worth millions of pounds.
The pub, which dates back to the 1700s, reopens today for outdoor drinks only and Ms Vear insists the mural isn’t an elaborate publicity stunt.
“The whole thing is just bizarre.”
Read more:
Harrogate artist sells paintings to help Yemen
Local painter Clive Wilson is selling 10 of his paintings to raise money to help children affected by the civil war in Yemen.
Mr Wilson paints impressionistic and dreamy landscapes. Most of his paintings show the Northumberland coast, where he has a holiday cottage. Although he was born and grew up in Leeds, he has lived in Harrogate for 32 years.
He began painting as a teenager, when he would make pocket money by painting shop signs. Now he works as a life coach and environmental consultant.
He has written two books on business performance and sustainable development, and is also chair of the Harrogate branch of the United Nations Association, an organisation dedicated to promoting the work of the UN.
Read more:
- Pateley Bridge artist says ‘my art is making a positive statement’
- Stained glass artists is a Harrogate ‘hidden gem’
The Yemen conflict has become the biggest humanitarian disaster in the world, leaving more than 12.4 million children in need of assistance. All proceeds from sales of Mr Wilson’s paintings, which cost from £40 to £110, will go towards Save the Children’s Yemen Appeal.
The paintings can be seen in the cafe of the garden rooms at auctioneers Tennants in Leyburn, which is open for takeaway. Alternatively paintings can be viewed and bought on the auctioneer’s website.
Mr Wilson also has a JustGiving page for those who wish to make a donation to the Save the Children appeal.
Bilton bridge mural aims to lift community spiritArtist Emma Garness hopes her ‘uplifting’ mural on the Iron Bridge in Bilton will become a beacon of positivity in the area.
The bridge, which is on the edge of Bilton and crosses over towards Claro Road, was previously covered with tags and offensive graffiti.
The Beverley-based artist was commissioned to paint the mural by the owner of the bridge, Network Rail, and she’s been putting the finishing touches to it today.
Emma asked local schools to contribute ideas, with children from Grove Road Community Primary School asking for a fox, and Woodfield Community Primary School an oak tree.
It also includes a cherry tree blossom and crocuses from the Stray.
She said:
“The mural includes elements from the community. I want it to be something they can be proud of. It was so dark and uninviting but the space has changed completely.”
Read More:
- ‘Don’t tarnish the whole of Bilton with anti-social behaviour’
- ‘Joyous’ Knaresborough mural aims to lift spirits
There have been problems with anti-social behaviour on the bridge but Emma said art has the power to change a space that has had negative connotations.
The bridge was previously covered with graffiti.
She said:
“This was a dark and grimy bridge but art can change the atmosphere of somewhere.”
Emma started working on the mural on Saturday and has been inundated with positive feedback from curious people crossing the bridge.
She added:
‘Joyous’ Knaresborough mural aims to lift spirits“People have said it’s so uplifting. To see how an overnight change can give people such positive vibrations. It can drop pebbles that ripple to people’s emotions.”
A “joyous” mural inspired by nature is being painted on the side of a house in Cheapside, Knaresborough.
When complete, the artwork will include swallows, butterflies, bumblebees and flowers.
Lindsay Bradley, whose family has owned the property since the 1960s, hopes the mural will cheer people up as they enter the town.
She said:
“It’s all the things I love in nature.”
After seeing Harrogate artist Sam Porter’s work on Facebook, she commissioned him to paint the mural, which will take over a week to finish.
Sam is using spray paint and says he wants it to have a positive impact:
“It’s such a public spot so I want it to be really joyous.”
Read more:
Sam is a full-time artist and has worked in sculpture, fine art and print making. He said murals have become more popular over the past few years and hopes to paint more of them in Harrogate and Knaresborough.
He added:
“Everyone is crying out for something that will jolly up their day.”
Whilst the mural is a paean to the natural world, it almost took a left-field turn after sci-fi fan Lindsay suggested to Sam that he adds the famous movie alien ET to the mural.
But Sam talked her out of it for artistic reasons.