Kirkby Malham Parish Church is welcoming hundreds of visitors to their first ever ‘Art in the Dale’ exhibition which features a wealth of local talent.
Revd Sue McWhinney invited nine local artists to develop their ideas for an exhibition of painting, felt-work, and photography, all inspired by the landscape in which they lived.
Common themes emerged of the connection with landscape felt by the artists, and the creativity evoked by the colours of the limestone and vegetation in the different seasons of the year, as well as the weather, and the flow of water through the Dale.
There was a desire to create something special for local people and visitors to enjoy in the beautiful surroundings of the 15th century church of St Michael the Archangel, to share the artistic talent of the Dale, and to help people reconnect after two years of COVID restrictions.
“It’s gone really well, has been hugely popular, and we hope it will become an annual event,” said Revd Sue.
The exhibition draws together work from Katharine Holmes, David and Heather Cook, Beverley Hicks, Sarah Roche, Stephen Waterhouse, Fiona Armer, Mark Pilkington, and David Bridges.
There is a wide range of original work on display, and for sale, and the exhibition has been enhanced by live music at weekends, including live Jazz at the opening event.
There will be an evening concert by well-known local cellist Christine Dittman, and her string quartet ‘Ings Strings’, on Saturday, May 14 at 7pm. The exhibition is open from 9am to 6pm each day with free admission, though donations are encouraged to support the running costs of St Michaels.
One of the artists, Stephen Waterhouse, a well-known local illustrator, has been working with pupils of Kirkby-in-Malhamdale Primary School, so the exhibition also features work inspired by landscape and the church architecture produced by every child in the school.
The exhibition runs until Monday, May 16 and more details can be found at St Michael the Archangel's website here