Amy Townend derives inpiration from her travels and surroundings - most recently to New Zealand and Australia - to create these abstract works in acrylic, charcoal, pastel and ink. All works are available to purchase.

Open 5pm-9pm   

Artwork at the Chantry Chapel is an excellent exhibition of artwork by watercolourists Mandy Asquith and Lauren Asquith.

Open 5pm-9pm   

Join Wakefield Litfest for a drop-in version of our Chronicles of Culture workshops from 6.30-9pm, at Lobby 1867. Explore the Wakefield district through the wonders of poem and prose (or whatever style of writing you prefer)! This practical writing workshop will provide writers with skills to unlock ideas and craft stories inspired by culture, community and heritage. We will be having sharings of these works and other at 7.30pm, 8pm and 8.30pm

Open 6:30pm-9pm, with performances at 7:30pm, 8pm and 8:30pm    Spoken Word

Our House Wakefield is re-opening at our doors at our new address 172 Kirkgate, WF11UD on the 16th May and this month we will be showcasing our new artworks in the space, a mural by local and world renowned graffiti and street artist, Cbloxx, part of the nomad clan.

Plus our window art by local designer and tattoo artist Alice Needham. Our cafe will be open all evening too.

Open 5pm-9pm   

Christopher's response to CoActive's exploration of self portraits is a presentation of his happy pictures at one of his happy places - the swimming pool. Christopher's colourful pictures of people, flowers, patterns and responses to Sun Lane will be on display from 25th May to 23rd June. Free pictures hand drawn for you available to pick up on your visit!

Open 5pm-8pm   

The annual Gilbert Bayes Award is offered by Royal Society of Sculptors to provide vital support for early-career sculptors during what can be a difficult transition from their studies to professional practice. The award is open to sculptors of any age or nationality, with or without formal training and working in any style of media, and is generously supported by the Gilbert Bayes Charitable Trust. Each year the winners are selected by a guest judge.

Selected by artist, founder and technologist Harry Yeff (Reeps100), this exhibition brings together the 2023 awardees, Alexandra Searle, Alice Sheppard Fidler, Erika Trotzig, Flora Bradwell, Kelly Marie O’Brien, Louise Ward Morris, Nathan Anthony, Ned Prizeman, Polam Chan, Sophie Cunningham and Srabani Ghosh.

More details at https://the-arthouse.org.uk/exhibitions/the-royal-society-of-sculptors-presents-the-gilbert-bayes-award/

Enjoy music by our Wakefield Micro Award artist, Simon Walker.

Simon Walker is an award winning singer/songwriter from West Yorkshire who has been performing through the UK and abroad for the last several years.

Walker is currently recording his debut album which features some big names such as Jesse Charland (Hoobastank) & Josh Paul (Daughtry/Everclear).

Walker has had various radio plays on BBC introducing and has recently had some chart success with his last single ‘Worthless’ reaching #4 in the iTunes Charts.

Coffee House   
Open 5pm-9pm    Music

Holyground Records is possibly the first truly independent record label in England. Established in Wakefield by Mike Levon in 1965, it ran until his death in 2011.

This is an exhibition of archive photographs, album covers, studio notes etc and is complimentary to the 15 episode podcast of the Oral History of Holyground Records.

Downstairs   
Open 5pm-8pm   
More details at http://holyground.co.uk History

3 large 60cm x 60cm acrylic on canvas of the tree on Batley Road, and 6 small coastal scenes on small canvas 12cm x 17cm,

My name is Julie Dawson Gledhill, I'm a retired secondary school teacher. I have a BA Hons in fine art. I like to paint nature and funfairs. My latest commission was to paint a scene for Allan, the chestnut man of Wakefield. It depicts his earlier life with the travelling fairground and present day. I live in Kirkhamgate, and I am born and bred in Yorkshire.

Open 5pm-9pm   

The Hidden Gem in The Old Vicarage host several artists and crafters. The Old Vicarage, which has just been saved from an application for demolition, is of historical interest. There were over 1,000 objections placed in just 5 days to save this building. There will be a staged poetry performance from 6.30pm, aimed at the old vicarage and surrounding areas.

We will remain open till 9pm for Artwalk visitors and refreshments will be available in The Hidden Gem shop.

Top Floor   
Open 5pm-9pm, with performance at 6:30pm    Spoken Word

Originally from Portugal, Joakim Paz is a multi-media artist who excels in the realms of poetry, painting, and music. This artist has a unique ability to seamlessly blend these different art forms to create a truly immersive and captivating experience for the viewer.

One of the highlights of this artist's collection is a series of paintings based on automatic drawing. This technique involves letting the hand move freely across the canvas, allowing the subconscious mind to guide the creation of lines and shapes. The result is a collection of paintings that are both abstract and full of emotion, with each piece telling its own unique story.

Open 5pm-9pm   

Flexing our art space muscle with over 8 artists currently exhibiting at the Polka Hop including work from Hearts Alive Tattoo Studio, Wendy Ward, OddessBehaviour, Robert P Clarke, Carrie Scott-Huby, Michael Burke and Lizzy England. We have music, great ales and food all day open from 12pm while 11pm.

Main Bar   
Open 5pm-11pm   
More details at http://www.thepolkahop.co.uk

For the May Artwalk Helen will be featuring her paintings of local landmarks predominantly the Upton Water tower, her latest obsession.

Main Bar   
Open 5pm-9pm   

Art Photos by Robert P. Clarke showing shadow images and other recent works.

Photo Wall   
Open 5pm-9pm   

Come and meet Sarah Connell who will discuss her novel about the migration crisis ‘Where Are You Now?’. The character of the asylum seeker in the story is based on a real person who came to Wakefield District City of Sanctuary for help. Sarah was first published at the age of 70 and now has three novels, with another one on the way. Wakefield is the setting for her writing and her characters. Sarah will talk about how she came to be published and what she has learnt in the process.

The Snug   
Open 5pm-8pm, performance at 7pm    Spoken Word

On the 40th anniversary of the Miners Strike, our commemorative wall depicts the year long strike through a series of photographs and narratives. There will be a section on the role the club played during that period. People will be available to speak about their personal experiences during the strike, which will bring the whole display to life.

Open 7pm-11pm    History

Robert P. Clarke is launching "Stride and Strife", a new collection of poetry and art, with the band "The Acoustic Poetry Collective" made up of Rob Clarke, Steve Brinda and the Collective, with additional open mic slots available on the night on the theme of the Miners Strike 40th Anniversary connected to the Red Shed's exhibition.

Open 7:30pm-8:30pm    Music

Scott's response to CoActive's exploration of self portraits includes 2 and 3 dimensional works inspired by Tikis and Totems and the use of symbols to represent aspects of himself.

Open 5pm-8pm   

For May’s Artwalk local artist and teacher Jan Parsons returns to Wakefield Cathedral with a new series of abstract paintings entitled ‘There is another Sky.’
The title of this series is taken from an Emily Dickinson poem and encapsulates Jan’s fascination with perfectly dream-like skies, otherworldliness, and sometimes imagined or half-remembered landscapes. Panning across bays and cities, a lake bathed in evening light or an open-air swimming pool; Jan’s work consistently situates the viewer at the water’s edge with an open vista to the sky. All of the paintings in this series were made using a combination of acrylic paint and mixed media on canvas and come framed and ready to hang.

More details at https://www.jan-parsons.com

Beyond the Bassline shines a spotlight on different voices and perspectives to celebrate Black British music as a form of entertainment and vehicle for community, as well as a source of liberation, protest and education. Stepping into carnivals, clubs and record shops across the country, Beyond the Bassline draws on different places that have cultivated creative expression and inspired a number of Black British music genres.

Open 5pm-7pm   

This Artwalk, come and see our new exhibition showcasing the John Goodchild Collection. This collection came into the care of the West Yorkshire Archive Service in 2017. It is believed to be one of the largest private collections relating to Yorkshire collected by a single individual.

John’s passion for preserving our heritage has left us with an unrivalled and rich resource for anyone interested in the history of Yorkshire. For the first time, West Yorkshire Archive Service will be showcasing some of the treasures and curiosities from this important local collection.

Take a look at our cabinet of curiosities, browse the books in John’s Corner or try your hand at writing with a feather quill.

Open 5pm-8pm    History

We are a friendly and enthusiastic group of photographers who are more than willing to pass on our knowledge and experience to others, The group covers subjects including landscape, natural history, portrait, architecture, street and creative photography. Whether you use a mobile phone or latest digital camera if you are looking to further your knowledge in photography, please come along and talk to us.

Learning Zone   
Open 5pm-8pm    Photography

Get ready for a dynamic transformation as The Art Exchange CIC takes over the project space at Westgate Studios! We're thrilled to announce the curation of the project space, featuring a captivating showcase by four of Westgate's resident artists: Lisa Robinson, Josie Moon Beam, Kate Wray, Roger Gardner and Ian Smith.

The space promises to be a vibrant tapestry woven with diverse artistic expressions. Prepare to be surprised, challenged, and ultimately, deeply moved by the power of art.

Project Space   
Open 5pm-8pm   

Join Empath Action CIC for our Artwalk History Showcase! Pop down to the Big Room at Westgate Studios between 5pm and 8pm to learn all about our work uncovering Alice Gostick, the incredible teacher who taught Henry Moore and Albert Wainwright, as well as the headmaster of the school Toddy Dawes, and so many others. Plus, hear about our amazing Timekeepers project that saw us travel the District and help people with their history research and genealogy.

As always, we will be joined by special guests exhibiting their artwork, and we will have our Performer Corner at 6pm to 6:30pm featuring Susan McCartney and Angie De Courcy Bower.

Studio A4 (The Big Room)   
Open 5pm-9pm, with performance at 6pm    History

Victoria has a love of nature, detail, and texture and combines these to make art that makes people smile. Her works carry important messages of wellbeing and self care. These positive messages are conveyed through joyful imagery filled with imagined creatures and beings, hidden symbolism, and small details. Her aim is to make art that brings people joy and perhaps even some comfort.
Victoria primarily works digitally, producing high quality giclée prints of her original images. Victoria also makes 3D textile and clay sculptures, where she indulges her love of texture using various mediums and acrylic paints.
All work is available to purchase.

Studio A4 (The Big Room)   
Open 5pm-9pm   

Needle felting, wool sculptures and influenced by the local Yorkshire fauna and landscape, with a dash of folklore.

Studio A4 (The Big Room)   
Open 5pm-9pm   

Marie is an artist based in Westgate Studios (B11 on the second floor) who works with charcoal, oils and sometimes integrates them with other mediums. Marie’s theme for this Artwalk is the colourful nature of cats.

Studio B11   
Open 5pm-9pm   

Robert P. Clarke will be presenting his current artwork, along side a new collection of poetry and art "Stride and Strife".

Studio B14   
Open 5pm-9pm    Photography

Open Studios and work in progress.

Studio B15   

Inspire are a non-profit, community-based arts group, dedicated to creating a relaxed environment for individuals interested in art. The group uses creativity to enhance mental well-being, helping members build confidence and forge connections through collaborative efforts.

Michael Walton, a local photographer, presents a selection of his landscape photography spanning several decades. These works capture the essence of his artistic journey. Despite now facing macular degeneration, Michael's dedication to his craft remains evident in his evocative images.

Studio B3   
Open 5pm-9pm   

The Art Exchange CIC has moved to a new space on the second floor of Westgate Art Studios! Come explore their new location while enjoying an evening of spoken word and photography.

5pm - 7pm: Stephen Walton: A Photographic Journey Through Britain
The Art Exchange CIC is thrilled to present an exhibition by Wakefield-based photographer, Stephen Walton. This collection showcases Stephen's unique perspective on the diverse landscapes and hidden gems found throughout Britain. Through Stephen's lens, we embark on a visual adventure. Stephen's keen eye captures the essence of each location, drawing out the beauty in the ordinary and the extraordinary. His masterful use of light and composition transports viewers to the heart of each scene.


7pm - 7:30pm: Prepare for an evening filled with laughter, reflection, and the beauty of language featuring Michael Yates and Susan McCartney.
- Michael Yates brings his powerful and diverse voice to The Art Exchange CIC. His poems explore a range of emotions, from the humorous to the deeply poignant, inspired by his experiences during the Covid pandemic. His recently published novel, "Dying is the Last Thing You Ever Want to Do", promises a captivating read.
- Susan McCartney is a master of weaving whimsy and wit with deeper themes who will captivate you with her performance poems. Her work ranges from the comical to the subtly serious, often drawing inspiration from the stories of women who worked in munitions factories during wartime. Currently, Susan is crafting monologues based on the intriguing fictional character of Doris, blurring the lines between reality and imagination.

Studio B5   

I'll be exhibiting my collages and will also be selling some large wooden frames, clip frames and secondhand sketchbooks.

Studio B8   

Portraits and figures in charcoal and oils. Studio C5 on the third (top) floor, opposite the lift.

Studio C5   
Open 5pm-9pm   

Open Studio showing works-in-progress.

Studio C7   
Open 5pm-9pm   
More details at https://www.facebook.com/paulstonearts/

Local LGBTQ+ musician The Bleeding Obvious - aka Wakefield lass Jessica Rowbottom - opens her studio for a short acoustic performance at 8:30pm - quite possibly the only musical act with the lyrics "demisexual panromantic polyamorous androgyne".

Studio C9   
Open 8pm-9pm, performance at 8:30pm   
More details at https://bleedingobvious.uk Music