Artistic talent

The trail encompasses 40 galleries, venues and destinations, and radiates from its Pateley Bridge centre to surrounding towns, villages and hamlets including Summerbridge, Kirby Malzeard, Ripley and Knaresborough.

Art will be on show in galleries, shops, village halls, churches and homes. “This year’s theme is water which is fitting as events follow the river Nidd from its source up the dale to Ripley and within the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty from Kirby Malzeard to Blubberhouses,” says Ann Kent, a member of the NiddArt Trail committee which masterminds the event.

NiddArt was formed in 2010 with the aim of celebrating the wealth of artistic talent within Nidderdale and the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Artists taking part include sculptor Joseph Hayton who has a studio at King Street Workshops in Pateley Bride. Hayton’s portrait of James Butler was awarded The Tiranti prize for best work by a sculptor aged 30 and under at the Society of Portrait Sculptors Face 2018 exhibition.

Visitors can also walk to Coldstones Cut – a sculpture created by the artist Andrew Sabin. It opened in 2010 and overlooks the working Coldstones Quarry at Greenhow high above Pateley Bridge and offers spectacular views over Nidderdale. At the other end of the scale is the jewellery made by Ian Simm, who is also based at King Street Workshops.

He uses titanium, precious metals and stones to create pieces including cufflinks, necklaces and bracelets. Also on show at the workshop are paintings by Debby Moxon. Across the courtyard of King Street is ceramicist Fionna Mazza who focuses on the world of butterflies to make her bowls, dishes and vases.

There are also visiting artists such as a potter in Kirby Malzeard and a glassmaker in Fellbeck. Pateley Bridge Museum will offer a glimpse into past artists’ work and the importance of water – from photographs of the building of reservoirs, to associated watersports of fishing and curling.

Often a number of artists exhibit together as they will do at Bewerley and Glasshouses for a specific weekend opening – so visitors can plan a mini tour of venues. Worskhops are a popular feature of the event and the King Street artists in Pateley Bridge will be demonstrating techniques, while Summerbridge Methodist Church will become a creative hub for all ages.

The volunteer committee of Lynn Cook, Charles Mellor, Penny Riley-Smith, Jill Alexander and Ann Kent source artists, funding and venues. The members ensure a brochure is printed for easy reference of venues and opening times – it also includes a map.

Among the opening events are the Dales Exhibition at Royal Oak, Dacre Banks, where eight artists are exhibiting; Pateley Bridge Art Club in the primary school; Ripley galleries; Blubberhouses Church and Ramsgill working studio.

Maps are available to download from the website or can be found at libraries and tourist information offices in Knaresborough, Ripon, Harrogate and Pateley Bridge.

NiddArt runs at various dates August 17-27. niddart.org.uk