Harley Gallery in Welbeck ready to re-open with two new exhibitions

Joanna Whittle's Between Islands is one of the new exhibitions that will mark the Harley Gallery's re-opening

This first is this year’s Harley Open, for which more than 100 pieces of art have been selected to show after the gallery invited professional and amateur artists to submit their work for the exhibition.

Judges chose the final shortlist from almost 600 submissions and the overall exhibition winners will be announced on August 1 via social media.

One of last years’ prize winners was Sheffield artist, Joanna Whittle, who since winning has been awarded the acclaimed Contemporary British Painting Prize 2019.

Joanna was a guest selector for The Harley Open and her solo show Between Islands, is the second exhibition that will be on display for the gallery’s re-opening.

Lisa Gee, gallery director, said: ““During lockdown we have all had a lot of time at home and many people have turned to creativity to make sense of their world.

"The 102 artists in the exhibition show us their vision and it’s a brilliantly diverse and joyful experience.”

The Harley Open includes art from a wide range of ages and backgrounds, from award winning professional artists to young students, and in a variety of styles and influences.

Lisa continued: “You’re bound to love some of the pieces and will probably hate some too – but lots will make you smile or remember what we have all been missing, human contact.

"This exhibition includes a joyful crowd of hundreds of pub regulars, imagined landscapes, a startling self-portrait from lockdown, a lovely painting of a Harley Café favourite of mushrooms and egg on toast, a huge collage made from postal stamps as well as abstracts, ceramics and prints.”

Those selected for the open exhibition include Chesterfield artist, Georgia Peskett, Marcin Szuba, a tutor at The Art House in Sheffield, Lincoln artist, Anne Stansfield, 18-year-old Retford A-Level student, Isaac Hepworth, Derby artist, Alistair Mavin and Manchester artist, Ruth Murray.

A number of safety measures have been introduced for staff and visitors and the new opening hours will be 11am to 5pm, Tuesday to Saturday, and 11am to 4pm on Sundays.