Works of art from two council-owned collections will trade places in the first scheme of its kind that we have overseen.
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 our launch in April 2023.
Our 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 22 January and runs until 21 April.
The Look, Look Again exhibition at the Mercer Art Gallery in Harrogate also opens on 22 January and will run until 4 April.