Art takes to the streets to create pride in famous son's tourist trail

Replicas of paintings by Fred Elwell are being hung on walls throughout the town as part of "Painting the Town Fred and Mary." A trail – which will eventually feature 22 works in all – starts close to the North Bar – where Fred and his artist wife Mary lived – and continues to the Minster.

Curator Dr Gerardine Mulcahy said she hoped people would be enticed into Beverley Art Gallery where the originals are hanging.

One of the paintings – Maids with Pigeons – depicts Hilda Harrison and Mary Agar, who used to work for the Elwells at Bar House. Painted in 1918 when modern art had well and truly taken hold, it shows Elwell sticking firmly to tradition.

Dr Mulcahy said: "Part of this is to give people a strong sense of pride in Beverley and the two artists who come from Beverley.

"We wanted people to enjoy art where they wouldn't normally expect to find it. Hopefully it will entice them into the gallery – or just to enjoy art in a different space." From June 24 trail leaflets will be available from the gallery and tourist information centres. Each replica, costing about 200, has been sponsored.