As 2026 flies by …

At the annual North Yorkshire Open Studios we emerge from the doldrums of surgery.  We had been showing briefly in February at the final exhibition at Badger in the Wall Gallery, Clapham and in March at Blackburn Museum and Art Gallery and April at Craven Arts House. Being selected for Blackburn ART OPEN 2026 presented a welcome opportunity to extend my reach into Lancashire.  A little bit tongue in cheek I call it ‘following Turner’! As it followed their exhibition of his work.

As part of the North Yorkshire Open Studios programme came the opportunity to exhibit with Inspired by gallery at North York Moors National Parks visitor centre at Danby, near Whitby a collaboration of over 200 artists and makers https://www.northyorkmoors.org.uk/things-to-do/attractions/inspired-by-gallery where I was delighted to have sold my painting of  ‘Whernside - Yorkshire’s highest point’.

For me a rather different concept in May was to interpret ‘When words fail …’ the more recent group exhibition at Craven Arts, it was a remote redundant telephone box that sprang to mind.

We continued to enjoy our artisan makers fairs meeting like minded enthusiasts and welcoming visitors at both Grassington’s Devonshire Institute Easter Fair and Gargrave Collectables and Craft fair and the regular agricultural show season, at Trawden, Gargrave and Slaidburn for the Hodder Valley show.

Hot summer day at GARGRAVE Show

AT THE MAIN EVENT June’s North Yorkshire Studios artists and makers threw open their studio doors to the public for OPEN STUDIOS 6-7 & 13-14 June. It was marvellous to meet so many enthusiasts and to share the occasion with fellow artists at Craven Arts House as part of the Skipton Art Trail. We’re open again on 7 & 8 November for the WINTER event. 

Gargrave's annual art exhibition moved into its 54th year. A bumper event on 9 -12 July https://gargraveart.uk … we were also showing at Bowlee visitor centre in Teesdale as part of North Pennines National Landscape peat restoration project where one. Was sold - thank you. 

Words and Pictures was the next open art exhibition at Craven Arts, to connects with the National Year of Reading 2026 | Go All In campaign. Thanks to the Art Shop these were two people’s choice prize winners, one for Young artists under 18.

Welcome to Words and Pictures at Craven Arts House

Volunteering …

Along with stewarding the many exhibitions and events, it is a privilege to have been invited to become a Trustee of the Craven Arts Registered Charity.  As it develops its flagship premises and broadens its artistic and creative scope, I shall be supporting the membership in particular on their creative journeys. Members and friends can contact me at hello@cumbyearts.com

We continue to collaborate with Craven Cassette talking newspaper … founded in 1978 it is currently run by around 15 volunteers. They fulfil roles of reading, recording, editing, duplicating on memory sticks, postage and sorting returned wallets ready for re sending.  All of these duties help the smooth operation of weekly and monthly productions respectively of The Craven Herald and Dalesman & Cumbria magazines. 

Craven Arts 10th anniversary … will be celebrated next year, we are gathering recollections, visuals, and other memorabilia, so if you have. Items of interest you can contact me on hello@cumbyearts.com for the time being.