Great North Art Show News & Views
Specsavers Sponsors Vision Support Harrogate
Vision Support Harrogate District are very grateful and delighted to have once again been invited by Great North Art Show to showcase a collection of the fantastic sculptures that are created by our members. We also offer our sincere thanks to Specsavers, Ripon who have kindly sponsored the sculpture...
GNAS Prizes 2019
Paul Stone was awarded the Best Body of Work in Show for his exquisite still-life paintings, described by Dianne Sinnott as "A modern twist of the Dutch still-life composition".A Certificate of Merit for the Best Body of Work in Show was awarded to Yorkshire landscape artist, Clare Haley, who...
Q&As with John Cockshaw
What’s your background? My background is in Fine Art, research in Art and Design, and art education. I obtained my BA(Hons) Fine Art and MRES (MA in Research) in Art and Design from Sheffield Hallam University in 2002 and 2003. Explain what you do in 100 words My artwork...
Q&As with Chris Rivers
What’s your background? I’m a self-taught artist from Manchester. I began painting about 3 years ago during my time as drummer for UK rock band, Heavens Basement, which I was a part of for 10 years. My time in the music industry took me all over the world, playing...
Vision Support Harrogate District
Great North Art Show is delighted to showcase a collection of fantastic sculptures that have been created by the members of Vision Support Harrogate District. Vision Support is a local charity that provides opportunities for local visually impaired people to engage in arts and crafts, receive IT training and...
Q&As with Mandy Long
What’s your background? I came to art quite late. Loved clay since childhood and did various evening classes but didn’t do my BTec until 2000-2003 and decided to take it more seriously and see what I could do. Explain what you do in 100 words I make ceramic sculpture...
Q&As with Mark Sofilas
What’s your background? Born in Bunbury Western Australia in 1961. Gained a diploma in graphic design in 1979, specializing in illustration. I began my professional career in 1981 as a freelance artist. I’ve worked in the advertising, publishing and editorial industries in Perth, Western Australia, Melbourne and Sydney for...
Q&As with Ciaran Mahoney
What’s Your Background? I was born and bred in Hartlepool and have been interested in art from an early age. I graduated from De Montfort University with a 2:1 in Fine Art in 2002 and have carried on painting ever since. I have done many jobs such as postman, call...
Q&As with Clare Brownlow
What’s your background? I studied at Edinburgh College of Art as well as at Leith School of Art where I focused on large and atmospheric landscapes and seascapes in oil. I always was arty from a very early age and loved every type of medium. I have grown up...
NiddFest 2016
Set in the glorious landscape of Upper Nidderdale, NiddFest celebrates the link between nature and books. The festival takes place on the weekend of 5-7 August and features some of the UK’s finest writers whose work is all linked to the natural world. Speakers include poets Carol Ann Duffy...
Q&As with Donna Cheshire
What’s your background? Born in Yorkshire, I moved away as a child but returned to study textiles in Huddersfield and, later, at Bretton Hall. I’m now based in Newcastle where I stitch and work as an artist in the community. Explain what you do in 100 words I use...
Q&As with Lesley Seeger
What’s your background? Art Foundation at York Art College was followed by a BA in English Media & Design from Southampton University and a postgraduate diploma in Art Psychotherapy from Sheffield Hallam. After working as a community artist and teacher I became artist in residence at York Hospital for...
Q&As with Robert Lewis
What’s your background? Born in Hendon, London. I originally worked/trained in machine-shop engineering, following in the family tradition, but went on to study at art school (Canterbury/Maidstone) where I studied Fine Art and Illustration (achieving an honours degree). I have drifted into other creative practices over the years, such...
Q&As with Ann Allison
What’s your background? Having studied textiles as my main course during teacher training in the mid 70’s, I decided to focus on bobbin lace. I learned traditional lace techniques from my mother and began to adapt patterns and create new designs. Experimentation and design work then became my passion....
Q&As with Ruth Fitton, Artist in Residence 2016
What is your background? I’m a self-taught painter; my university degree is actually in Music. I’ve got to where I am through years of independent research and practice. My chief motivation is a desire to learn; as long as I’m learning, I’m happy. I first began experimenting with portraiture...
Opening Night
Designed to promote the quality and diversity of contemporary art in the North, Great North Art Show provides a dynamic snapshot of the region’s creative energies. On Tuesday, some 50 artists arrived on the doorsteps of Ripon Cathedral with wall-hung art, sculpture and, a first for the show, a...
Q&A with Lucy Pittaway
What is your background? I studied Art and Design from the earliest age, taking a National Diploma at college and furthering my education with a BA Hons Degree in Graphic Design. After a year out, running my own design and crafts business, I spent two years as a designer...
Q&A with Lucy Saggers
What’s your background? As a student, I decided to study sciences and keep photography as a hobby, but I still spent many hours using the darkrooms in my Newcastle University halls. Even twenty-five years ago my pictures were about capturing rural life in the North East. After a degree...
Q&A with Julia Poulton
What’s your background? As a child growing up in West Yorkshire, I was always drawing, so it was a natural progression for me to eventually do a degree in Fine Art at the University of East London in 1993. After returning to my roots in Yorkshire, I have since...
Great Art in the Cathedral Press Release
Great North Art Show features a fantastic selection of artwork by over 50 of the UK’s finest contemporary painters, printmakers and photographers within the fabulous setting of Ripon Cathedral. More… Great Art in the Cathedral Press Release
Q&A with Janis Goodman
What’s your background? I’ve become a Yorkshire artist after over 30 years here, but my voice reveals me as a southerner who studied architecture and moved to Leeds in 1982, for a year to work in animation. I then failed to go home. Explain what you...
Q&A with Fred Davie
What’s your background? I was born and raised in Aberdeen on the north east coast of Scotland where I used to spend much time in the mountains of the eastern Cairngorms. I graduated from Aberdeen University with a BSc and PhD in Chemistry and moved to just north of...
Q&A with Neil McBride
What’s your background? I was born in a mining village near Doncaster in the South Yorkshire coal fields. After graduating from Doncaster in 1969 I took my first job in advertising in Manchester as an Art Director. I later took a job at the Yorkshire Post where the pay...
Q&A with Nel Whatmore
What’s your background? I have been a professional artist for 29 years. I was born in Wolverhampton and went to Wolverhampton Polytechnic and then did my degree up at Leeds. I have now been in Yorkshire longer than I was in the Midlands. I was awarded a grant from...
Q&A with Richard Newman
What is your background? I am a Chartered Architect and a Swiss-trained hotelier, now retired. Explain what you do in 100 words Now that I am retired I have three main thrusts to my life. I write novels, a travel book (coming out soon) and lead a Creative Writing...
Q&A with Jill Campbell
What’s your background? Since I was a child I have always felt compelled to draw and make things. I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t in love with art. It has always been part of my life. When I moved to the beautiful North East of England I...
Q&A with Vesna Milinkovic
What’s your background? Design - I trained for 5 years, and worked as a retail buyer for over a decade. In more recent years I’ve been working as a freelance print designer. I split my time between that and painting. Explain what you do in 100 words. My focus...
Q&A with Clare Maria Wood
What’s your background? I studied painting at Harrogate and then Wimbledon School of Art and have been passionate about printmaking for 15 years. This year, I completed the Curwen Printmaking Diploma where I focused on creating a series of screenprinted and collagraph monoprints and was assessed by Stanley Jones MBE...
Q&A with Dionne Swift
What is your background? I studied Textiles at Goldsmiths College in the late eighties and then progressed to a Masters in Textiles at UCE/Birmingham. Prior to that, I guess, it was my Grandmothers who inspired my love of textiles and creativity. Explain what you do in 100 words Inspired...
Artists Announced for Ripon’s 2015 Great North Art Show
Great North Art Show, which will be held in the magnificent setting of Ripon Cathedral this September, has announced the artists who will feature in this year’s exhibition. From more than 700 artwork entries, over 50 artists have been selected, representing some of the UK’s finest contemporary professional painters,...
Jo York’s Great Art Blog Spring 2015
This month: Gerstaecker Aquarell Fine Studio Watercolours Watercolours are an ancient medium if you think of them as basically coloured pigment, suspended in water. Western artists began using a form of watercolour in the 1400’s, when each artist had to make up their own paints by preparing and grinding...
The history and process of linocut print: from paupers to Picasso
The Great North Art Show showcases artworks from a variety of different artists and using a variety of different mediums. The 2014 exhibition includes work by Northern etchers, engravers and printmakers. This is part two of a two-part blog series on these techniques. Read part one here: Printmaking,...
Printmaking, etching and engraving: focus on Aquatint and Soft-ground techniques
Great North Art Show showcases artworks from a variety of different artists and using a variety of different mediums. The 2014 exhibition includes work by Northern etchers, engravers and printmakers. This is part one of a two-part blog series on three of techniques: Aquatint etching, soft ground etching and...
From saints to selfies: Great North Art Show 2014 unveils a fascinating new portrait exhibition
Since the beginning of time, people have sought to create lasting images of the people and faces they see around them. From the Ancient Egyptian wall paintings of gods and pharaohs, right through to the modern day “selfie”, portraits have been used to convey not only physical form, but...
9 must-see places to visit in Ripon, Yorkshire
Visitors to Great North Art Show in Ripon, Yorkshire, often extend their stay to take in the other sights and attractions this beautiful cathedral city has to offer. Ripon has an abundance of fascinating museums and historical buildings, as well as a bustling market square proclaimed by Daniel Defoe...
How one of England’s most influential saints founded Ripon Cathedral, home to Great North Art Show
Since Great North Art Show began, it has been based in the spectacular setting of Ripon Cathedral. But as well as being a stunning example of almost every period of architecture from the 7th to the 16th centuries, Ripon Cathedral has a fascinating 1300-year history. But how and...
The history of Great North Art Show: what is it all about and how did it begin?
First held in 2002, Great North Art Show is an exhibition of contemporary art by Northern artists, held annually in Ripon Cathedral during early September. But what is the art show all about, and what makes it special? To discover this, we need to delve back in time to...