Landscape artist Jason Hicklin’s work is to go on exhibition in Harrogate this month.

His new collection of etchings, which is inspired by Yorkshire’s heritage coast, will be on show at the Watermark Gallery on Royal Parade from April 12 – 27.

Hicklin is a Shropshire based landscape artist acclaimed for his ability to produce dramatic images capturing the feel of the weather and light and its effect on the landscape.

All of his work begins outdoors after stopping to sketch the views, from which he creates the etchings and his prints are then produced.

The works set to go on display are the final pieces produced from a three-walk trilogy along the Yorkshire coast, the Thames and the Pembrokeshire coast. Seven prints have been created from the etchings, some 1 x1.5 metres in size, which will get their premiere at the exhibition.

Hicklin, Stottle Bank Nook from Cradle Head 2024

Etching is a technique that uses acid to create a chemical action to produce incised lines in a metal printing plate which then hold applied ink to form the image from which prints are made.

Hicklin believes printmaking from etchings ‘democratises art’ by making works accessible to greater numbers of people, as even limited-edition prints are much more affordable than original paintings.

He said:

“That stretch of the Yorkshire coast is dramatic and has been shaped by the impact of the sea and storms over the centuries. It was a real pleasure to be able to spend three days walking the coast and taking in those views. It ended perfectly with a beer and a bag of chips on the beach at Filey.”

Liz Hawkes, owner of the Watermark Gallery, said:

“Jason is an outstanding artist producing works that are full of drama and impact. I am delighted that we are able to stage the premier of the works from his Yorkshire Walk, the final part of his Three Walks trilogy. They provide a new and stunning interpretation of coastal views that will be familiar to many people.”

Hicklin, Selwicks Bay 2024

For more information on the exhibition click here.

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Two Harrogate galleries have collaborated to launch a new exhibition.

Watermark Gallery will partner with Walker Galleries, which closed its doors on Montpellier Parade in December last year to move its operations online.

The two businesses have launched a new exhibition, A Brush With Colour, which opened on Saturday and will run until May 31.

Liz Hawkes, owner of Watermark Gallery, said she felt her business could learn from working with Walker Galleries.

She said:

“When we heard that Walker Galleries was closing, we were very disappointed to lose a quality gallery across the road. 

“Through our sister business, Artworks Conservation, we have worked with Ian and Shirley Walker for many years and have a mutual respect for the gallery business they built up. 

“We felt we had a lot to learn by joining forces and are only too pleased to be working with them on this exciting new programme of work.”

Lilies and Lemons – one of the exhibits by Caroline Bailey

Ian Walker, owner of Walker Galleries, said:

“We were delighted when Liz approached us with the offer of a venue so we could continue exhibiting the work of our artists.

“This current show with Caroline Bailey now promises to be even bigger and better than ever before as it combines our established way of working with the online and digital marketing focus of Watermark Gallery.”

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A Brush With Colour is a solo exhibition by acclaimed artist and colourist Caroline Bailey RSW (Royal Scottish Society of Painters in Watercolour). 

It will be held at Watermark Gallery on Royal Parade.

The exhibition is the first in a series of three joint events, with future exhibitions by Mike Bernard RI and Katharine Holmes both planned for the Autumn/Winter 2023. 

The Best Independent Retailer award is sponsored by York & North Yorkshire Growth Hub.

The York & North Yorkshire Growth Hub aims to provide businesses of all sizes and sectors effective and impartial business support.

As a local organisation, the service provided is tailored to the needs of individuals of the region.

The Best Independent Retailer Award recognises the work of independent retailers across the Harrogate district that have survived the pandemic, support customers and make the high street vibrant.

Finalists

Watermark Gallery

Watermark Gallery is a Harrogate art gallery selling original, contemporary and modern British art.

During the pandemic, the gallery regularly changed its window displays to brighten people’s daily walks.

It also offered customers the opportunity watch live artist exhibitions through the gallery window and on social media during lockdown.  Such improvisation during covid was appreciated and a loyal customer base grew.

In 2020, the gallery also adapted its space into becoming a workshop space to teach and learn.

Liz Hawkes, Director of Watermark, said:

“We are absolutely thrilled to be shortlisted for the Stray Ferret Independent Retailer of the Year Award. It is great to be recognised for championing the visual arts in an area which has such a strong heritage of arts and culture.

“Opening just before the pandemic was a tough start for our business but with awards like this, and the support of our customers, we are very positive for the future. Thank you.”

Fodder

Based at the Yorkshire Show Ground, Fodder is a Harrogate farm shop and café that champions local produce.

During the pandemic, Fodder expanded its online store, developed an online click and collect system, and utilised the café space as an order packing area whilst hospitality remained closed.

Fodder frequently hosts events to showcase its supplies. The business even hosts a Dragons Den-style event, where new suppliers can ‘sell in’ their produce to the farm shop.

Vanessa Pitt, Manager at Fodder, said:

“We are super proud of the team who work so hard to keep Fodder at the top of its game. Being shortlisted for this award is testament to their resilience and commitment.

“It’s given us a real spring in the step, and we thank all our customers, producers and suppliers for their continued support.”

TravelGate

TravelGate is an independent travel agency in Harrogate, offering clients bespoke expertise and advice on holiday destinations.

During the pandemic, TravelGate was inundated with policies to follow and holidays to amend as covid caused chaos in the travel industry.  The agency never closed -offering advice and support to clients locally and abroad.

In 2021 TravelGate partnered with a national testing laboratory and began offering Covid PCR travel tests. The company supplied to major cruise ships and offered pre departure and return tests.

Phil O’Boyle, Co-Founder of TravelGate, said:

“Being shortlisted as a finalist is a fantastic achievement for us. There are so many great independent retailers in Harrogate, and we are so proud that TravelGate has been recognised in this way.

“The last few years have been extremely hard for the travel industry. We have lots of amazing, loyal clients and we would like to thank them, and to all our new clients for supporting us”.

Cocoa Joe’s

Cocoa Joe’s is an independent business specialising in premium chocolate drinks.

The shop uses a variety of high quality, solid chocolate from around the world to make bespoke drinks.

The Pateley Bridge business has made multiple television appearances since launching in 2019, including Ainsley Harriott’s Good Mood Food and used as a filming location for Channel 5’s Cadbury at Christmas.

Cocoa Joe’s success meant it was able to open a York branch during the pandemic.

The company has also unveiled an online store, selling indulgent chocolate products.

Joe Andrew, Founder of Cocoa Joe’s, said:

“Everyone around the shop was thrilled to hear we had made the shortlist! Our team members have been doing an amazing job during the busy colder months and I couldn’t think of a better way to cap off the hot chocolate season.

“We’re crossing our fingers for winning the award, but we’re up against some fantastic businesses, so we’re just delighted to have made it this far.”

Whittams Hire

Whittams Hire offers luxury motorhome hire to the people of North Yorkshire and beyond.

Since launching in 2018, the company now boasts nine motorhomes and has bookings from international clients.

The business also opened a coffee shop just outside of Harrogate, The Outside Inn. The premises is divided into sections, one is the coffee shop and the other is an office space for motorhome customers to drop in.

Whittams Hire has won multiple awards since launching, including Best Motorhome Hire Company ‘Prestige Award’ 2022 and 2023.

Mark Trickett, Founder of Whittams Hire, said:

“Whittams is so chuffed to be shortlisted, never did we think we’d be a finalist. We entered just hoping to be listed with other proud local businesses in order to be seen and show support for our local community.

“To be judged and be amongst such fine company is truly humbling”.

The Stray Ferret Business Award event sponsor is Prosperis. To find more and to purchase tickets for the big night, click here.

If you have wandered around Harrogate, you may have noticed a boom in the number of independent art galleries in the town.

In recent years, at least three have launched, including Messums Yorkshire, Watermark Gallery, and Bils and Rye.

And this is in the addition to the established galleries in the town, such as the Mercer, Silson Contemporary, RedHouse Originals and York Fine Arts – to name but a few.

All have proved to be a major draw for both artists and collectors, with many placing an emphasis on promoting Northern talent.

Silsen Contemporary Art Gallery, based at Sarah Collier’s home on Harlow Oval.

Liz Hawkes, director of Watermark Gallery, which opened on the historic Royal Parade in March 2020, said:

“I think there are lots of reasons why Harrogate is great for art. There is the town’s antiques and art heritage.

“There’s also Yorkshire’s art heritage. From Hockney to Hirst, you have got very well-known Yorkshire artists. This area is very well-served by local artists who love to come here and paint, because it’s so beautiful.

“A lot of people also love to visit Harrogate and it’s a very affluent area, with lots of residents who like to buy art.”

Liz, who owns the gallery with her husband Richard, said all the galleries in the town offered something completely different, from ultra-modern contemporary art to traditional Victorian watercolours.

She said:

“You’ve got some fabulous galleries. Each have their own identity.

“We have 57 artists across all media, which is the main point of difference for us.

“Not everybody is always in the market for a painting, but you might pop in for some ceramics or jewellery.

“I think the other thing about us is accessibility. We have really focused on making this gallery accessible to all people. So many people find galleries intimidating.”

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Liz explained that art had become more accessible than ever in recent years thanks to the Own Art scheme. The national initiative makes buying contemporary art and craft affordable by providing interest-free credit for the purchase of original work.

The Watermark gallery is holding six exhibitions this year, with the next, Off the Beaten Track, featuring Yorkshire ceramicist Michele Bianco and Scottish-based Swiss painter, Pascale Rentsch, planned in March.

A number of workshops, courses and lectures will also take place in the studio space at the back of the gallery.

The Watermark Gallery. 

Liz said:

“I think the days of dusty old galleries have gone. The modern gallery is one where things are happening. It’s interactive and fun.”

Johnny Messum, director of Messums Yorkshire, also known as Messums Harrogate and Messums North, agrees that the town is a perfect location to showcase artistic talent.

After an extended stay on James Street following a successful temporary pop-up exhibition in 2020, Messums is moving out of the building at the end of this month.

However, the contemporary art dealer is hoping to find another location in Harrogate and is currently looking for a new site.

Photograph: @messumsyorkshire, Instagram

He said:

“We really want to stay, we just need to find the right venue. We hold very good relationships with our collector base here and have a strong presence in Yorkshire.

“Harrogate is a great place to act as a lightening rod for drawing attention to creativity in the area.”

Johnny said the quality of the art and the number of galleries in Harrogate attracted to people to the town, with many collectors making a special visit.

The gallery’s most recent exhibition, Routes North, has just come to an end, which brought together multiple artists whose work reflects the variety and vibrancy of the region, from Knaresborough to Newcastle.

The exhibition represented the first presentation in the North of this programme, which has been championing emerging talent across Messums sister galleries in London and Wiltshire for the last five years.

It’ also set out to prove that that all roads don’t lead to London when it comes to the quality of work and artistic talent.

Johnny said:

“What’s driving the future of our stay in Yorkshire is that the creativity of the art produced in the area is really exciting.”

Work by Jill Tate and James Thompson at the Routes North exhibition. Photograph: Messums Yorkshire.

A Harrogate gallery has set up a charity Giving Tree in aid of children from Syria and Afghanistan.

Watermark Gallery has organised the Christmas tree, which is decorated with a tag for each of the 73 refugee children in the Harrogate district.

Anyone who would like to support the project is being asked to take a tag and buy a gift of up to £20 suitable for the age and gender given.

Two-year-old Agatha (pictured above) was the first to buy a gift.

Anna Martola, from Watermark Gallery who has organised the project, said:

“We were struck by how much these families have been through and wanted to do something positive and creative to help welcome them to our region.

“These children have so little and will be surrounded by others who are receiving so much.”

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The gallery is working with Ripon City of Sanctuary, a charity that supports families throughout the Harrogate district, many of whom have recently arrived from Syria and Afghanistan.

For those who are not able to buy their own gift, the gallery is taking donations and will buy on their behalf. It is also donating colouring books and coloured pencils to each family. 

A spokesperson for Ripon City of Sanctuary said:

“We are so delighted that Watermark Gallery has chosen Ripon City of Sanctuary as their charity this year. It is such a positive and welcoming project and we know just how grateful our families will be”.

Anyone wishing to donate a gift is asked to do so before December 18 to give the charity time to distribute them out to each family. 

Watermark Gallery can be contacted on 01423 562659 or in person at 8 Royal Parade, Harrogate, HG1 2SZ.

Across Britain the number of empty shops has risen again, but the Harrogate district has enjoyed a boost in businesses opening over the past 12 months.

In March 2020 8.6% of the district’s retail units were empty, but in March 2021 this had dropped to 6.8%.

Research by the British Retail Consortium published by the BBC found that one in seven shops in Britain were empty, with the north of England said to be the most affected.

But the Harrogate district is bucking this trend – despite the repeated lockdowns to tackle the pandemic.

Tina Parker opened a French furniture store, Once Upon A Time, in Killinghall in September and said she would never look back:

“We did feel like we were a little crazy at the beginning but we thought people would go back to supporting local after the pandemic and they have!

“It’s been fantastic, people have been really supportive.

“Of course it has been difficult having to close twice but luckily we did get some grants so it worked out well.”

Liz and Richard Hawkes with Anna Martola (left) from the Watermark Gallery.

Liz Hawkes, owner of the Watermark Gallery on Royal Parade in Harrogate, opened her premises just as the first lockdown was imposed last March. She said:

“We had already signed the lease and done the refurb just as lockdown was enforced but I’m glad we did open then otherwise I never would have done it. The independent scene in Harrogate is really strong and getting stronger.

“It’s been a positive experience for us and encouraged use to be more creative with our space, windows and how we serve our customers.”

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David Lombardi opened his music shop, The Music Bank, in Knaresborough in October and said although he has not been open as much as he would like, the local support has been great. He said:

“We kind of thought it was an opportunity and prior to the pandemic people were moving online so it was risky then too.

“I think we are stronger than we would have been if we stayed open because we had the time to work on the business.”

A Harrogate gallery has raised £1,000 for the town’s Trussell Trust food bank with a “Giraffle.”

Watermark Gallery, on Royal Parade, sold 200 tickets at £5 each and pulled the name of the winner today.

A six-year-old boy called Dominic, and whose parents own Westmorland Sheepskins just up the road, won the top prize created by illustrator Jane Ray.

Jane created the five-feet tall paper mache giraffe based on the main character of a book called “Zeraffa Girraffa.”

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Just as the character of that book travelled far to her new home in Paris, Zeraffa toured the Harrogate district in past few months.

The giraffe took pride of place in the windows of Catherine Smith Vintage, Bespoke Eyewear, Westmorland Sheepskins and the Little Ripon Bookshop.

When Dominic found out that he had won Zeraffa he jumped for joy out in the town centre. Anna Martola, of the Watermark Gallery, told the Stray Ferret:

“It is a real treat that it is going to someone who is going to love it, and a little boy just like in the story of Zeraffa.

“I mean it took Jane three weeks to paint and her original art pieces go for between £1,000 and £7,000 so it’s definitely a little investment.”

Liz Hawkes, owner of the Watermark Gallery, previously said:

“Zeraffa was a real talking point in the window of our gallery, and we had countless enquiries about buying her.

“I think people saw her as a ray of sunshine during a somewhat challenging time.”