The ‘biggest and best’ open exhibition in North Yorkshire currently at the Mercer Art Gallery is proving to be a great success with visitors this year…
The exhibition, which runs until 8 November 2015, has already attracted more than 8,700 visitors since it opened on the 4 July and still has a month to go. The diverse range of works on show have sparked lots of debate but are obviously proving popular as so far 67 of the 145 artworks on show have been sold – a turnover of nearly £20,000!
Visitors were given the opportunity to vote for their favourite work, the People’s Prize, a special prize of £100 – which was won by a clear margin by artist Heather Dormer, for her painting ‘Leaves on the Nidd’.
The year’s exhibition features a wide variety of artworks, which include an embroidered chicken, a ceramic rhinoceros inspired by Durer as well as a vibrant selection of paintings, prints and drawings, created by artists at various stages of their creative careers all delighted to see their work displayed in Harrogate’s beautiful Mercer Art Gallery in the biggest and best Open Art Exhibition in North Yorkshire.
Also on show in the Mercer Art Gallery is a recently acquired portrait of ‘Isabelle Frith Reading’, an affectionate portrait of the artist’s wife by Victorian artist William Powell Frith bought with the help the Art Fund. This portrait of Isabelle has important links with Mercer Art Gallery’s substantial collection of Frith’s works.
Later in the year a major retrospective sponsored by Tennants Auctioneers will open in the gallery, Paintings, Passions and Alarms features the paintings of Sonia Lawson RA sourced from collections across the UK.
The Harrogate Open exhibition is at the Mercer Art Gallery until 8 November 2015, entry is free. Call 01423 556188 for more info or visit www.harrogate.gov.uk/mercerartgallery for more info. The Mercer Art Gallery, is at Swan Road, Harrogate HG1 2SA
