CRAVEN Arts and Skipton Town Hall have joined forces to celebrate the festive holiday season with a showcase of creativity.

A Christmas exhibition featuring works from 24 local artists, who are members of the rapidly growing Craven Arts organisation, are being displayed at Skipton Town Hall.

Many of the artists will be spending time in the gallery throughout the exhibition period and will be available to chat to visitors.

The free exhibition runs until Saturday, December 22, in the Exhibition Gallery at Skipton Town Hall.

It is open 10am to 4pm, Monday to Saturday.

Organisers say the event is testament to the wide-ranging creativity of the area, and the show will feature paintings, drawings, ceramics, prints, and fashion design.

The artwork is available to buy. At the preview of the exhibition, artist Janet Hutsby was named winner of ‘The Art Shop Skipton Award’ for best piece in the exhibition, for her painting ‘Caught in the Light.’

Founder of Craven Arts, Virpi Kettu said : “Craven Arts Christmas Exhibition is our yearly tradition to celebrate our membership and introduce people to their local artists.

“We are proud to present the 24 Craven Arts members exhibiting at Skipton Town Hall, in Craven Arts Christmas Exhibition.

“ An independent jury has selected the pieces and curated the exhibition.

“ We also currently have a new exhibition in the Mill Bridge Gallery, Skipton as a part of our monthly changing exhibitions programme in the Gallery. This beautiful exhibition is called ‘Light, Mood and Atmosphere, and includes paintings by Nicole Dickinson and ceramics by Howard Gardiner.

“ Both these selling exhibitions encourage people to consider getting their Christmas gifts by shopping from local artists and supporting local creative industries.”

Megan Hickes, project officer based at Skipton Town Hall, said: ‘We are delighted to once again collaborate with Craven Arts and play a part in showcasing a diverse collection of artwork from our local area - especially as this is the last exhibition in the current gallery space, before our Heritage Lottery- funded redevelopment.”

Craven Arts is a registered charity which supports creative talent in the Craven area - 20 miles radius from Skipton - by providing connections within the community and affordable studio and exhibition space.

More information about the artists and events is available at www.cravenarts.co.uk