Works of art from two council-owned collections will trade places in the first scheme of its kind overseen by North Yorkshire Council.
The project will involve exhibitions being displayed at Skipton Town Hall and the Mercer Art Gallery in Harrogate, with artworks stored in both towns being swapped to supplement each of the shows.
A total of 15 works from the Mercer Art Gallery’s collection will be on display at Skipton Town Hall as part of the Take Your Time exhibition.
The event, which will also include pieces from the fine art collection at Craven Museum in Skipton, is aimed at encouraging visitors to spend longer looking at the artworks.
In return, three works from Skipton will be on show in Harrogate, creating the first cultural exchange of its kind since North Yorkshire Council launched in April 2023.
North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for culture and leisure, Cllr Simon Myers, said:
“This initiative exemplifies how partnerships like this can create engaging and accessible experiences for the community.
"It’s exciting to see these works presented in fresh contexts that inspire visitors to see art in new ways.”
Highlights at Skipton Town Hall include a painting of Malham Cove by Katharine Holmes, a celebrated local artist, and works by Skipton-born Arthur Reginald Smith.
Skipton Town Hall’s exhibitions curator, Megan Hickes, said:
“Our focus is creating a mindful and thought-provoking experience.
"By slowing down and taking time to explore, visitors can recharge and discover a more personal connection to the art in their own way.
"The chance to display some brilliant contemporary works from Harrogate’s collection is an exciting contrast to pieces from our collection and will be a fantastic opportunity for visitors to see a diverse selection of works by artists of both local and national importance.”
At the Mercer Art Gallery, the Look, Look Again exhibition brings together artworks from the Harrogate Art Collection, Craven Museum and the Goldmark Gallery.
Works by renowned artists including Prunella Clough and Graham Sutherland offer a glimpse into creativity of 20th century British talent.
The Mercer Art Gallery curator, Karen Southworth, said:
“Our exhibition showcases a recent bequest of mid-20th century British art from the late Yorkshire writer, and photographer David Morgan Rees.
"Loaned works from the Craven Museum and Goldmark Gallery have enriched the display, highlighting the creative surge following the end of the Second World War.
"Together, these three collections form a vibrant and exciting display.”
To mark the occasion, a limited-edition collection of merchandise featuring art from the museums’ collections is being launched for the first time to give visitors the chance to connect with art and history while owning a memento connected to the works on display.
Every purchase from the retail range will directly support cultural activities and outreach work across both the Skipton and Harrogate areas.
The Take Your Time exhibition at Skipton Town Hall opens on January 22nd and runs until April 21st.
The Look, Look Again exhibition at the Mercer Art Gallery in Harrogate also opens on January 22nd and will run until April 4th.
More information is available at: https://www.northyorks.gov.uk/leisure-tourism-and-culture
Skipton farmer and influencer to appear at first ever Yorkshire farming conference
Hospital bowled over by local cricket club donation
The Principle Trust celebrates community support from The Bull at Broughton
MP to meet Transport Ministers over spiralling cost of Silsden–Steeton bridge
Get broken or damaged item fixed for free at Skipton Repair Café
Over 100 fire service staff injured across North Yorkshire in three years
Funding applications now open for Skipton Charities Gala Fund
North Yorkshire Council faces budget decisions following £40m funding loss
Local MP Urges Local Schools to Register for Parliament Visits
Tickets go on sale for Addingham Village Pantomime
Sign up for Your Local Experiences for chance to win £1,000 prize
Silsden man sets out to run 160 miles following girlfriend's breast cancer diagnosis
Yorkshire residents needed for new series of BBC's Race Across the World
Council facing ombudsman investigations after parents complain about school transport policy
Skipton featured on BBC's new Rise and Shine segment
Award winning bar in Skipton closed for renovations
Temporary CCTV trial at Skipton Bus Station reports positive outcomes
Feasibility study to look at replacing or rebuilding Skipton bridge
Storm Goretti: Yellow weather warning for snow in Skipton
Hundreds reported to have taken part in Skipton's Nutcracker trail
