COLLECTORS’ Rooms: an exhibition of painting, prints and sculpture will open at Gavagan Art gallery in Settle this Saturday.

The spring exhibition, which will feature a special display of Raku ceramics by Stephen Murfitt, runs until May 29.

Mary Gavagan, owner and curator of Gavagan Art, said: “I am delighted to exhibit the work of glaze expert and highly regarded ceramicist Stephen Murfitt in our opening exhibition of the 2017.

"I first exhibited Stephen’s work in 1985 when I worked at Gawthorpe Hall, the National Trust property in Padiham East Lancashire, then again in 1989 when I included his work in an exhibition of contemporary ceramics I curated at Lancaster University.”

Stephen, who is based in Cambridgeshire, rarely exhibits in the North.

His Raku ceramics can be found in many corporate, private and public collections, at home and abroad.

"My work is driven by an obsession with clay and its versatility," said Stephen. "I make ceramic forms and vessels which are hand built and Raku-fired."

Stephen’s work can be seen in the end gallery of Gavagan Art while the central display room features artwork from Cornwall, including examples of work by Terry Frost, Alan Davie and Breon O’ Casey.

Cornwall is recognised for ceramic art, with the newly reopened Tate St Ives showcasing a hundred years of studio pottery.

Gavagan Art's spring exhibition will include be a range of ceramics including examples of work by Peter Swanson, Chris Prindl, Delan Cookson Rick Henham and Jack Doherty.

Examples of work by artists and ceramicists who regularly exhibit at the gallery will be available during this exhibition, including Anna Lambert and James Hake, Norman Adams and Milan Ivanic.

The gallery in Settle Town Hall is open from 11am to 4pm on Fridays, Saturdays and Bank Holidays.