Art gallery ready to give public first peek

The partially-complete gallery will open on Wednesday, March 31, as part of Wakefield's Artwalk event.

The opening, from 5pm to 9pm, will be the first opportunity for the general public to have a look inside the new gallery.

Coun Denise Jeffery, Wakefield Council's deputy leader and Cabinet member for culture, said: "I'm delighted to be able to welcome the public to The Hepworth Wakefield, which is nearing completion and is really beginning to take shape inside."

Wakefield Artwalk is a free event where venues open their doors to exhibit visual art.

For more information and details of events visit www.artwalk.org.uk

The Hepworth will be open to the public as part of the artwalk on the following dates in 2010: March 31, May 26, July 28, September 29 and November 24.

Simon Wallis, director of the Hepworth said: "We look forward to Artwalk visitors bringing our new building to life as we prepare our opening in spring 2011."

The museum is expected to attract over 140,000 visitors per year and those on the artwalk will have a first glimpse of the light-filled gallery spaces, a chance to meet the team and find out more about what The Hepworth has in store when it opens its doors to the public.

The Hepworth is located on Wakefield's historic waterfront and is due to open in spring 2011.

It will show for the first time a previously unseen collection of sculptures by Barbara Hepworth – one of the most important sculptors of the 20th century, who was born and raised in Wakefield.

It will exhibit key long-term loans from Tate and the Arts Council Collection and will bring international contemporary art and historical art exhibitions to Yorkshire.

For more information about the project visit www.hepworthwakefield.org