Our Golden Anniversary Exhibition, delayed by 2 years because of the pandemic, was a memorable, enjoyable and very successful event, with over 80 artworks being sold – the greatest number ever. Artists aged from 3 to over 90 years old participated, nearly 300 artworks were submitted and displayed and 100 individual artists (including 17 Young Artists) participated. This number has to be doubled when all the artists from Gargrave Primary and Gargrave Pre- School are included.
This year, Nicholas Walker topped the Young Artists’ People’s Favourite poll with his charming depiction of “Scooby the Hare” and Christine Thomas’s pastel drawing ‘Easy peelers-hard to paint’ (above) was voted People’s Favourite. We look forward to welcoming back Christine next year as the featured artist.
Over sixty volunteers gave their time, skills and energy, seventeen local businesses generously donated a spectacular array of raffle prizes and the show welcomed over 1200 visitors. Gargrave Art Exhibition’s unique character- a celebration of a local community’s creativity and co-operation was as palpable and vibrant as ever after half a century. The committee have made a donation of £1400 to The Gargrave Village Hall Coulthurst Trust: Registered Charity No. 222607.
With thanks to our raffle sponsors: Twin Locks Garden Centre, The Old Swan Inn, The Masons Arms, The Bollywood Cottage, Gargrave Pharmacy, The Coniston Hotel and Spa, Crossgates Hair and Beauty, The Shooting Ground at The Coniston Hotel, Cum Bye Arts, Thistledown Linoprints, Wharfside Wines, Gargrave Coop, Hunters Estate Agents, No 29, Poppyfields Florists, The Dalesman Café and The Frying Yorkshireman.
Photographs ©Tim Smith