Kentmere Gallery, York, is finally able to reopen on April 12 and is celebrating its 30th year in business – with a show of Jack Hellewell’s work entitled ‘Jack travels.’
The gallery has earned a strong reputation for showing high-quality, contemporary paintings, specialising in semi-figurative work by living artists. The gallery has a policy of showing many artists not yet known in the North. There is also a deliberate policy of hanging nationally-known artists alongside talented newcomers.
Ann and David Petherick bought Kentmere House, a former Victorian Methodist Minister’s house overlooking York Knavesmire, in 1991, to use it as a home and art gallery. Having seen galleries in homes in London, they could see the benefits for buyers of viewing paintings in a home setting and browsing in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.
For 30 years, the owners have searched out talented artists from the UK and have thoroughly enjoyed doing so, meeting artists in their homes and studios, many of whom have become friends. Many of the artists are nationally known, members of national societies and all are unique to Kentmere House.
Ann is always careful to use the term ‘living artists’ rather than ‘contemporary’ to describe her stable of artists:
“The word contemporary has been hijacked and is now used almost entirely to refer to abstract and conceptual work, when, in fact, it simply means being produced at this time. The result can be that many potential buyers find the art market confusing and intimidating and don’t know where to start.”
One of the gallery’s best-loved artists also had an anniversary to celebrate last year. Jack Hellewell, who showed with the gallery in its original premises on Grape Lane in the 80s, would have been 100 in 2020. The gallery had planned a series of exhibitions in celebration but had hardly started on them when the pandemic brought things to a stop. They will now take place this year and the first, ‘Jack’s travels’, will open on 12 April 2021 and will include many paintings which have never before been shown.
Jack had travelled widely and had also lived in Australia. His experiences provided inspiration for his painting.
For the initial week, the gallery will open 11am-5pm from Monday 12th – Saturday 17th April. On Thursday 15th the gallery is open until 9pm.
It will then revert to the first weekend of the month, 11-5pm, with late evenings on Thursdays till 9pm.
Visitors are welcome at any other time by ringing ahead or just taking pot luck. Visit www.kentmerehouse.co.uk for more information.
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