Skipton and Harrogate Swap Artworks in a Unique Cultural Exchange

Art enthusiasts across North Yorkshire have a treat in store as Skipton Town Hall and Harrogate’s Mercer Art Gallery embark on a first-of-its-kind cultural exchange. The initiative, overseen by North Yorkshire Council, will see selected works of art traded between the two towns to enrich their exhibitions and offer visitors a fresh perspective on each collection.

From January 22, Skipton Town Hall will host the Take Your Time exhibition, featuring 15 pieces from Harrogate’s Mercer Art Gallery. These works will join highlights from the Craven Museum’s fine art collection, encouraging visitors to pause, reflect, and connect deeply with the artworks.

‘The First of the Ebb, The Sailor and the Sea’ by Edward Wadsworth which is being exhibited at the Mercer Art Gallery in Harrogate

Among the standout pieces on display in Skipton are a painting of Malham Cove by renowned local artist Katharine Holmes and works by Skipton-born Arthur Reginald Smith. The exhibition aims to provide a mindful and immersive experience for art lovers.

“Our focus is creating a thought-provoking experience,” said Skipton Town Hall’s exhibitions curator, Megan Hickes. “By slowing down and taking time to explore, visitors can recharge and discover a personal connection to the art. The chance to display brilliant contemporary works from Harrogate’s collection alongside our own adds an exciting contrast.”

Meanwhile, Harrogate’s Mercer Art Gallery will present the Look, Look Again exhibition, featuring three works loaned from Skipton. The display combines pieces from the Harrogate Art Collection, Craven Museum, and Goldmark Gallery, celebrating 20th-century British artistry.

Assistant museum curator, Emily Holmes, left, and lead museum curator Jenny Hill are pictured unloading artwork at the Mercer Art Gallery in Harrogate

Key highlights in Harrogate include works by Prunella Clough and Graham Sutherland, showcasing the creativity and vibrancy that flourished in post-war Britain. The exhibition also features a recent bequest of mid-20th-century British art from Yorkshire writer and photographer David Morgan Rees, adding depth and context to the collection.

“The exhibition highlights the creative surge following the Second World War,” said Mercer Art Gallery curator Karen Southworth. “By bringing together pieces from three different collections, we’ve created a vibrant and exciting display that offers something new for every visitor.”

To celebrate this innovative cultural exchange, a limited-edition collection of merchandise featuring artwork from both exhibitions is being launched. The range provides visitors with a chance to take home a memento while directly supporting cultural activities and outreach programmes across the Skipton and Harrogate areas.

The Take Your Time exhibition at Skipton Town Hall runs from January 22 to April 21, while Look, Look Again at the Mercer Art Gallery in Harrogate runs until April 4.

Don’t miss this opportunity to see art in a new light and explore the rich heritage and creativity of North Yorkshire.

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