Start your Artwalk at Wakefield Museum!

Wakefield Museums and Castles are holding a celebration event to mark the recent opening of three exciting new displays and artist installations.

Join us to celebrate the stunning new A World of Good gallery. In the 1800s environmental campaigner, Charles Waterton set out to do “a world of good.” He campaigned against pollution, protected wildlife, and created the world’s first nature park at his home at Walton Hall.

Admire an intricate recreation of the park, carefully crafted by paper artist, Andy Singleton. What will you spot behind Waterton’s wall? Don’t miss the badgers and foxes burrowing under your feet!

Find out more about Waterton’s pioneering conservation work. Discover how his ideas are still important today as we face a climate crisis. Meet the local people taking action and pledge to Do A World of Good yourself.

Plus enjoy two fantastic new installations by local early-career disabled artists. In partnership with Wakefield Council, Lisa Fascione and Joanne Tiffany received micro-commissions and had mentoring from Wakefield-born artist, Jason Wilsher-Mills. Over several months, they have developed imaginative new works reflecting their unique voices and creative journeys.

Drop in to explore the museum from 5-7pm. Meet Andy, Lisa and Joanne to chat about their work. Join Andy Singleton to try your hand at some papercraft yourself.

Open 5pm-7pm   

Step into a spellbinding winter wonderland where the charm of a traditional Christmas market meets the curated elegance of a contemporary art exhibition.

Our Tiled Gallery has been transformed into a cosy, magical space brimming with locally made treasures. From handcrafted ceramics to unique textiles, each item in this curated collection has been thoughtfully selected to showcase Yorkshire’s most inspiring artists, makers, and designers.

The Coffee House will be open during the evening, serving seasonal hot drinks and perennial favourites.

Open 4pm-8pm   

Local artist, Richard Bell, has created a cartoon based on one aspect of the young George Gissing's life in nineteenth century Wakefield. There will be a small related display to further illustrate this aspect of the writer's boyhood.

Richard Bell’s first book was ‘A Sketchbook of the Natural History of the Country Round Wakefield’ published in 1979 and his most recent, ‘Wakefield Words’ (2011), was based on dialect words recorded by solicitor William Stott Banks in the city in 1865. He roamed further afield with a commission for a year-long nature diary ‘Richard Bell’s
Britain’ (1981) and ‘Yorkshire Rock, A Journey Through Time’ (1996), published by the British Geological Survey.

As an illustrator he’s always taken an interest in animation, including drawing rabbit hole backgrounds for Michael Rosen’s 1978 film ‘Watership Down’ and his most recent
commission, an animated ‘Brief History of Rhubarb’ for the 2020 Rhubarb Festival.

Open 5pm-9pm   

An exhibition of charcoal, graphite and mixed media drawings.

Project Space   
Open 5pm-9pm   

Open studio with recent work on display.

Studio A1   
Open 5pm-9pm   

New and recent paintings from Roger Gardner on display in his studio. A number of Roger's works were in a joint show at Dean Clough, Halifax until January 2025.

Studio B15   
Open 5pm-9pm   

Thomas Young is a self taught artist born in Wakefield in 1992 who makes figurative art using paint on canvas.

Studio B5   
Open 5pm-9pm   

Anya is a freelance illustrator whose work is inspired by the natural world. They create layered collages of animals as well as prints and postcards. They have also developed a deck of animals themed tarot cards.

Studio C6   
Open 5pm-9pm   

Looking at photos and prints.

Studio C8   
Open 5pm-9pm   

Wakefield's skate store has celebrated its 20th anniversary this year. To commemorate its part in the 40 year history of Wakefield's skate scene, a video of local skaters in iconic spots was filmed across the district.

This film was shown at the 20th anniversary celebrations in September, as a stand alone feature at The Art Exchange, and now at the Artwalk. Kindly hosted again by The Art Exchange.

Alongside, photography and visual art by local artists produced for Division 24.

The Art Exchange CIC "Big Room" A4   
Open 5pm-10pm   

Helen Field, a Wakefield-based abstract painter and long-time contributor to the city’s Artwalk, returns this November with a vibrant new collection of work. Known for her expressive use of colour, texture, and form, Helen’s paintings offer fresh ways of observing the environment. This artwalk Helen will be exhibiting in the Big Room at Westgate Studios, providing a unique opportunity to explore her latest creations and engage with her evolving practice.

Follow Helen on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hjfcrafty_artist

The Art Exchange CIC "Big Room" A4   
Open 6pm-8pm   

My background is in creative writing and scriptwriting. I have always tried to come up with innovative ways to showcase my work and I came across letter pressing. I'm intrigued by the imperfect aesthetic of letterpress pieces and the sense of history they create.

The process consists of compiling the words using either woodtype or metal type, fixing them into place so they are sturdy for inking. Paper is then laid over the top and it is placed onto the press. Lifting the arm of the press and pulling back the paper to reveal the print is very exciting, the prints are completely original and there are always imperfections, depending on the age and condition of the wood or metal letters and how much ink was applied. I have combined this with my love of art and the written word and created some prints of dialogue excerpts from my scripts. I have also experimented with the process to make word art pieces.

The Art Exchange CIC "Big Room" A4   
Open 5pm-9pm   

These illuminated Story Lightboxes are the fantastic result of our recent Home Ed Art Adventures and Portfolio Building classes at The Art Exchange CIC.

Working with repurposed materials, these young artists were challenged to move beyond flat canvas to explore 3D design, illustration, and the use of light to convey mood and narrative. Each box holds a unique world—from each child's fantastical imagination—showing off their indible construction skills and storytelling ability.

The Art Exchange CIC "Big Room" A4   
Open 5pm-10pm   

Handmade ceramic cat baubles and cat pendants on display from Linda Bulleyment.

Open 5pm-8pm   

An exhibition of visual and written work from the world of Miragae - a vast imaginary realm shaped by magic, memory, and adventure.

The collection brings together selected prints, texts, and concept pieces from the upcoming series, offering glimpses of the extraordinary creatures and places that inhabit the story.

Both the author and illustrator will be in attendance.

Open 5pm-8pm   

Jack Land is an illustrator based in Middlestown, Wakefield. His work blends analogue techniques like fineliners and watercolours with digital tools such as Adobe Suite and Procreate. Inspired by children's books and sequential narrative, Jack's style and themes are eclectic and whimsical, with a dash of levity.

Jack's large scale artwork Walk Like a Duck will be on display in WX throughout November, and is a reflection on how neurodivergent people navigate life differently, finding "our own normal," solving life's puzzles and trying to fit in.

Open 5pm-8pm   

As part of November Artwalk WX are hosting their first art market - where local creatives will be selling artworks, designs and handmade items!

Open 5pm-8pm   

Ellie Way is a Wakefield-based designer, screen-printer and maker of local goods. On display is Ellie's first collection of Travel Posters, created in 2020, motivated by 'lockdown blues' and inspired by her daily walks around Wakefield.

Inspired by the designs from the 'golden age' of travel, Ellie digitally collages hand-printed textures with nostalgic colour palettes and typefaces. To view Ellie's work, make your way up to the mezzanine floor via the stairs or lift.

Mezzanine   
Open 5pm-8pm   

Rob C's 'Central Words' will be hosted by Robert P. Clarke with headline poets. There will be Open Mic Slots available bookable in advance at create@artcollab.co.uk

Stage   
Open 6pm-7.30pm   

Rob C's Poetry 1/2 Hour will be introduced by Robert P. Clarke. There will be Open Mic Slots available bookable in advance at create@artcollab.co.uk

During the ‘Poetry 1/2 Hour’ Robert P. Clarke will be reading from his most recent publications.

1st Floor   
Open 4.30pm-5.15pm   

Please join us to find out more about the past year of work and upcoming projects. And a small pop up performance or two!

Find us on the Upper Mall opposite Esquires!

Unit 97A (Upper Mall)   
Open 6pm-8pm   

a series of shock slogans and mindless tantric mantras...
...returning to physical collages as a form of well needed digital detox
i quickly filled my studio with a cut and paste miasma of words and images
culled from local newspapers and letterbox spam. with the addition of a pile of
maga zines from the turn of the millenium i found a familiar series of messages, themes and fnords emerging such as culture wars and class war and propaganda and power, all proving the maxim - the more things change the more they stay the same, only the divisions get bigger and the temperatures rise,
welcome to the end of the world as we know it...again...
inspired by - pauline boty - g (sus) vaucher - jamie reid - guy debord

Open 5pm-9pm   

There will be poetry readings mostly based on a Victorian theme and maybe a few people dressed Victorian. Hot beverages and cake. Other artists will also be featuring their work as well as a historical insight to The Old Vicarage building itself. A warm welcome awaits everyone.

Open 5pm-9pm   

Jacqui Taliesin El Masry is a mixed media artist from Wakefield. With a degree in Fashion & Textile Design and many years of producing digital graphics work, during the pandemic she returned to her first love - painting and drawing. This developed into a variety of mixed media projects, often inspired by her passion for ancient Egyptian art. Her latest work - “Apartheid Wall” - is an activist/installation art project.

Born and raised in Wakefield, Jacqui has lived in several locations around the UK, but also in Egypt. This gave her a strong affinity for Middle Eastern culture and she has long supported the Palestinian movement for human rights. In October 2023, Jacqui became active on Twitter/X in order to keep informed, but also to support Palestinian citizens and journalists who were posting about their experiences. Deeply concerned by the appalling events, she started making screenshots of tweets she considered to be important - key moments politically, or personal comments from Palestinians. As the situation rapidly deteriorated, Jacqui began to feel a strong urge to curate and memorialise what she was witnessing by proxy.

Using the screenshots as a historic but also very personal visual record she created the “Apartheid Wall” project. Originally conceived as a wall-mounted piece (which is how it will be displayed for Artwalk) it can also be hung on rails to form an undulating free-standing sculpture.

Open 5pm-8pm   

I have a spiritual healing practice called infinitely healing where I work with reiki , shamanism and the chakra system.

It was during my time working on my own healing journey that I really started to use art in a big way to help me process and express all aspects of myself. Art is also a huge part of my spiritual development and it really excites me how I can see a constant progression of growth and detail throughout my paintings.

Art really does light me up. I get a lot of healing, guidance and empowerment through painting, the joy I feel through connection and freedom of expression is unreal.

It’s also an honour when I get asked to paint for people and the trust they have in me to be able to connect to their energy and produce something personal and original for them. My style is always changing and developing and I’m always open to new and creative ways of expression. I use many different mediums and like to experiment with styles.

I have a small FB page called dragonfly of the morning sun where you can check out some of my art.

Open 5pm-8pm   

Everything about being human is weird. We are weird, we do, say and think weird things and always have, the fact that we exist is weird, and I absolutely love that. My work is an appreciation of this, by presenting common objects and situations in uncommon and unexpected ways. I like to challenge our expectations of reality through hyper-realistic installations exploring absurdist takes on various aspects of human life, including body language, everyday activities and the things that can be found in our homes.

Open 5pm-8pm   

End the evening's Poetry Walk on Artwalk evening for a relaxed drink and a chat about poetry and the evening's events.

Full Poetry Walk Schedule:

- Waterstones - Rob C's Poetry 1/2 Hour (4.30pm to 5.15pm)
- Wakefield Exchange WX - Rob C's Central Words (6pm to 7.30pm)
- The Old Vicarage - Gaynor Haycock (7.45pm to 8.30pm)
- The Six Chimneys - Rob C's Poetry Corner (8.30pm to 9pm)

Open 8.30pm-9pm   

A series of illustrations by Wakefield-based artist, Lorien James. A keen cyclist and hiker, Lorien photographs his adventures - capturing Yorkshire’s scenery and any points of interest along the way. These escapades and photographs inspire his art.

Open 5pm-8pm   

Come along to The Six Chimneys to see some more wonderful images from Wakefield Camera Club. There will be members on hand to talk about anything photography related and provide advice to any budding photographers.

Open 5pm-8pm   

Pontefract Art Club have displayed a number of paintings in the Community Gallery on Platform 2 at Kirkgate Train Station.

Community Gallery (Platform 2)   
Open 5pm-8pm   

This suspended sculptural installation was created during Helen’s environmental artist residency in Selby in early 2025.

During the residency, she explored Selby’s landscape, collaborated with local community groups through nature-connection workshops, and produced ephemeral works using found natural materials.

This installation evolved from those explorations, reflecting on the resilient beauty of nature’s cycles of growth, transformation, and decay over the changing season. Decaying leaves and seed heads gathered from the grounds of Selby Abbey were magnified and laser-cut onto pages from discarded Selby Library books, giving new life to materials once thought as waste.

The piece was produced using the laser-cutting facilities at The Art House, Wakefield. Helen is an artist based in West Yorkshire.

Emergence was commissioned by Now Then!, a creative programme making exciting things happen in Tadcaster, Selby, and Sherburn thanks to funding from North Yorkshire Council, Arts Council England and UKSPF.

Conference Suite   
Open 5pm-8pm   

I love the quote that says ‘The eyes are the windows to the soul.’ We sometimes forget that windows are generally a two way screen. We look into other windows, we are naturally nosy, but all too often we forget to look out of those eyes with our soul and heart instead of with anger. Too frequently what we think we see is what others tell us too. We forget to do our own due diligence.

People under the LGBTQIA umbrella often find themselves on the forefront of abuse from misdirected misinformation. We are frequently viewed, scorned and prodded like animals in a petting zoo.

Art can be used to break down some of those barriers. Art should make people think and question what it is they are seeing. Why is that and this - what was the artist thinking when they painted that bit or what was the concept for the piece.

As I wrote earlier; I wish for people to look at the art and, question and ask. To think about what their soul sees, not just what others tell them too. Barriers can be broken down and walls rebuilt, but people have to think for themselves and open their eyes.

Marie is a local artist who uses various mediums including acrylic, graphite charcoal and traditional oils to create unique works. She likes to create art that makes us question and think about what we think we know and how we view the world.

Marie lives in Wakefield with her wife and two cats.

This large-scale commission was made possible with support from Grand Central, LonGBoaT Wakefield, The Art Exchange CIC, and Northern Trains.

Platform 1   
Open 5pm-8pm   

Cogman's pieces brings together the playful spontaneity of childlike drawings with the bold visual energy of Op Art. Simple, expressive figures — drawn with the honesty and imagination of a child’s hand — interact with dynamic geometric patterns that challenge perception and create a sense of movement.

The contrast between the naïve and the optical invites viewers to reflect on how we see and interpret the world: through both innocence and illusion. By blending these two styles, the work captures a tension between simplicity and complexity, freedom and control — reminding us that art can be both serious and joyful at once.

Open 5pm-9pm   

Started up painting again after retirement following a course at Manygates College. Initially just to pass time but now I love how I can express myself through Art.
My artwork is heavily influenced by fantasy art both in the renaissance and the impressionist period.

Open 5pm-9pm