I am a second year illustration student at York St John university. I typically work with paper creating relief layered collages using geometric shapes in a limited colour palette. My artwork often focuses on animals and the natural world including commissions of people's pets.

Open 5pm-9pm   

I am a local artist from Ossett. I have lived all over the world, which has influenced my use of colour and vibrancy. My art is in several mediums, including watercolour, ink, and tea!! I also love acrylic, oils/oil pastels, and soft pastels.

I have been painting regularly for the last 3 or 4 years and am just embarking on the world of selling them.

Open 5pm-9pm   

Alex is a mixed media and glass artist based in Meltham. Her artistic journey has been one of lifelong love and dedication. Having studied at Manchester Metropolitan University she found a real passion for art and since graduating in 2013 she has gone on to share her love of art with others. Her work draws inspiration from individual and collective stories and memories. Throughout her practice Alex has always enjoyed exploring the derelict and forgotten. She has had a passion for architecture and nature and the way the two intertwine. She has always found beauty in the overlooked and discarded and it is through this passion that she began her mixed media journey.

This collection explores the complex relationship between humanity and the built environment. Alex’s latest works fuses reality with fantasy, blending architectural structures and imagined landscapes. Each piece in the series tells a distinct story, intertwining detailed architectural elements, from historic buildings to futuristic skylines, with surreal environments and glimpses of the inhabitants within. The artwork draws viewers into immersive worlds that challenge perceptions of society, inspiring them to envision alternative ways of living and a more hopeful future. In addition to creating her own work, Alex runs arts for wellbeing workshops in the community, where participants can explore their creativity and discover the therapeutic benefits of art.

Open 5pm-9pm   
More details at https://www.alxcreations.com/

Mikey3D is an innovative artist who transforms the traditional creative process into a collaborative experience.

Through live streaming on social media, I invite viewers to actively participate in the creation of my art by choosing elements such as the orientation, colours, paint quantities, and even the unconventional tools used, like rolling pins, spoons, or sponges. Rejecting the typical methods of a paintbrush, I thrive on the unpredictable nature of my work, with each piece evolving in real-time based on the input of my audience. This dynamic, interactive approach to art challenges the boundaries between artist and viewer, fostering a unique connection and allowing each piece to take on a life of its own. Embracing spontaneity and collaboration, my work is a reflection of the shared energy and creativity of the online community that helps shape it.

Open 5:30pm-9pm   

Step into the world of Christopher Hanson’s powerful new exhibition, Portraits in Silence – The Symbolism of Identity. Through a captivating series of large-scale, realistic portraits, Hanson challenges traditional notions of representation, focusing on people historically excluded from classical portraiture. Trained at the London Academy of Representational Art, Hanson’s classical approach is grounded in an exploration of identity, race, and culture.

Drawing on his unique experience as the first and only Black artist to graduate from the London Academy of Representational Art – an atelier school with traditional teaching methods – Hanson’s work explores the beauty, fascination and complexity of Black and Brown bodies, which historically have been depicted in painting as exotic, hyper-sexual and hyper-masculine. In this new exhibition, the artist invites viewers to see beyond this and connect with the raw, intimate stories of those historically excluded from classical painting or on the margins of society.

Refreshments provided and speeches from 6:15pm.

Open 5pm-8pm, speeches from 6:15pm   
More details at https://the-arthouse.org.uk/exhibitions/christopher-hanson-portraits-in-silence-the-symbolism-of-identity/

Originally from Nepal and now living in Sheffield, Harijan showcases a bold collection of paintings and sculptures that reflect his artistic vision and dedication to social change.

Harijan’s work challenges societal traditions, hierarchies, and religious structures, highlighting the struggles faced by minority communities worldwide. His practice addresses the ongoing issue of caste discrimination. As the son of a shoemaker from Nepal’s so-called lower “Dalit” caste, Harijan uses his art to highlight and act against injustice.

Refreshments provided and speeches from 6:15pm.

Open 5pm-8pm, speeches from 6:15pm   
More details at https://the-arthouse.org.uk/exhibitions/manish-harijan/

The Studio of Sanctuary will be displaying work from the Talk & Draw sessions and from local people in the asylum process.

The Art House has held a City of Sanctuary award since 2017, and in 2023 became a Studio and Gallery of Sanctuary.

The Art House offers artists and creatives in the asylum process the opportunity and the resources to rekindle their skills and aspirations. Artists and creatives in the asylum process are offered support, friendship and materials, many of which have been donated by local artists.

Garden Studio   
Open 5pm-8pm   

Displaying a curated selection of first editions created for the 2020 Print Exchange, this exhibition showcases a vast and diverse range of printing styles, methods and subject matter.

Learning Space   
Open 5pm-8pm   
More details at https://the-arthouse.org.uk/exhibitions/2020-print-exchange-touring-exhibition-5/

We will be making Victorian Rose Pouches in The Hidden Gem shop from 5:30pm until 7pm. From 7pm until 8pm, there will be a short story reading by Gaynor Haycock.

There are also history boards in the entrance to The Old Vicarage which tell you a bit about the history of the building and the surrounding area.

Refreshments will be made available in The Hidden Gem shop, which is located next door to the Skate Shop within The Old Vicarage.

Open 5pm-8pm   

I am local artist from Wakefield. I have been painting for several years and take inspiration from pop art, graffiti and cinema. I enjoy using a fusion of these in my art along with colour contrasts to make the works stand out.

Open 5pm-9pm   

Following on with the success of the Polka Hop Sketch Pad, we're now in Portrait mode. We're inviting people to draw a portrait of their mates on paper provided. We'll then stick it up on the main wall as the days pass by. Portraits can be anonymous or proudly emblazoned with the doodlers stamp and signature.
Paper will be available for your fabulous portraits from Wednesday 26th Feb, until closing time on Artwalk night!
Have a pint*, draw a mates face, easy.
Ask at the Polka Hop for more details

We also have our in house artists as usual, including Hearts Alive Tattoo studio, Michael Burke, Wendy Ward, Helen Field and many more.

*Having a pint not required, have a nice cup of tea if you like! :-)

Main Wall   
Open 5pm-8pm   

Ann is an exhibiting member of Leeds Fine Artists, and has taken part in numerous group and solo exhibitions across Yorkshire. Her work is held in a range of public locations, including Leeds Central Library, Cast Theatre Doncaster, and Queens Mill Castleford.

This series of portraits, focuses on the qualities and character of each of the sitters. The hands are arranged in a separate plane, superimposed on the portrait, to emphasise and illustrate each individuals’ particular interests, accomplishments and/or attributes

Rear Lounge   
Open 5pm-9pm   

Mandy has travelled solo around the world with camera in hand, travelling off the beaten track following the road less travelled. She enjoys challenging countries and rural environments and likes to get a feel for the area before taking photographs.

It is her aim to make locals feel comfortable and she moves carefully with them, building their trust. Eye contact is particularly important as she feels that the eyes and facial expressions tell the story of the subjects, often having led harsh lives. It is quite a skill as some of the subjects are shy and wary.

The venue will be providing Indian style buffet food during the evening.

With many more countries to see and thousands more photographs to take she hopes you will enjoy this small selection based on her travels in India.

Open 5pm-9pm   

Seanna will be the first of our female artists for 2025, as part of our celebration of 'Women of the Working Class', the display for which will be opening on the same night.

Open 5pm-8pm   

While working on a project inspired by nostalgia and early memories. I fell in love with cutting and sticking again; it's a wonderfully therapeutic activity to cut out forms from coloured card and painted papers. Henri Mattise was my main inspiration for these collages, and I have attempted to reflect his use of vivid colours. My goal with these paintings is to evoke memories of a simpler time through vibrant shapes.

Open 5pm-8pm   

My work consist of abstract art that's portraying the mundane life of working into the view of an artist and how we see the world and conceptualise colour, shapes and forms that surround us in our everyday.

Open 5pm-9pm   

Creating art is an intimate journey, shaped by the world around me. As an artist, I continuously find myself inspired by nature and, like the artist Betty Frank, I tap into my environment and emotions. My artistic practice goes beyond putting paint on a canvas; it involves exploring the deeper meanings behind my creations and understanding how every choice shapes my work. Each mark, line, shape represents a feeling or experience I had.

Through daily recordings of my artistic process, I am discovering more about myself and my ways of working in art. This exploration adds richness to my work whilst also illuminating the connection between nature, emotions, and creativity.

Open 5pm-8pm   

Come and see what the camera club have been doing with some new images to view. Visit us for a chance to learn about the camera club and to speak to members. We will be happy to answer photography-related questions too.

Open 5pm-8pm   

March 23 2025 will be the fifth anniversary of lockdown in England. Derek, emeritus canon of Wakefield Cathedral, during his daily walks, amassed hundreds of photographs of his local area and documented some of the changes lockdown brought to normal life. In this exhibition he presents a selection of these photographs.

Open 5pm-8pm   

Between 23rd March and 1st June 2020, Tony Wade created a series of 40 paintings documenting the city of Wakefield during the first 10 weeks of lockdown restrictions for COVID-19.
All paintings were of scenes he found in an area accessible within a 30-minute walk from his home.
Each painting was created in a day and documented that day.
Images of that day’s painting were posted online to remind us of the wonderful spaces we call home.
This exhibition in Wakefield Cathedral collects 20 of these paintings together for the first time since 2021.

Open 5pm-8pm   

Joanne is a visual artist whose creative journey began in photography but flourished into painting. While formally trained in photography, she is a self-taught painter who embraces acrylics and mixed media to convey emotion through expressive and dynamic compositions.

Her work is defined by its bold use of color, vibrancy, and movement, each piece serving as a reflection of the energy and feeling behind her artistic process. Joanne's intuitive approach allows her to explore the interplay between texture and form, creating pieces that are both visually striking and deeply evocative.

Open 5pm-8pm   

For nearly 150 years, the Aire and Calder Navigation took coal from South and West Yorkshire collieries to Goole for export to Europe in boats known locally as ‘Tom Puddings’. Since the last Artwalk, the Wakefield Railway Modellers have been hard at work on their model of Stanley Ferry where these boats were launched into the water to start their journey to the Humber.

Come along and see what progress has been made, and hear about the plans we have for the future. To help us in our project, we would love to hear any information, memories or stories you may have about the navigation, boats, railways and collieries that were part of this now vanished piece of local heritage and history.

Main Meeting Room   
Open 5pm-9pm   

Rob C's Poetry half hour introduced by Robert P. Clarke. Open Mic Slots available bookable in advance at create@artcollab.co.uk.

Robert P. Clarke will be reading from some of his most recent publications, including 'Stride and Strife' and 'The Long and Short of the Round Oblong' available at Waterstones Online, where copies can be purchased (signings will also be available).

Please note: This is a standing event on the first floor (no lift) with limited seating available for those less able to stand at Waterstones Bookshop: Waterstones, 1st Floor, 2 Kirkgate, Wakefield WF1 1SP.

Open 4.30pm-5.15pm   
More details at https://robclarkeart.wordpress.com/

This will be the last chance to enjoy our John Goodchild Collection exhibition during ArtWalk before we change our exhibition in April. Drop-in and explore some exciting and unusual discoveries from this fantastic archive collection which boasts over 3000 boxes of material. A treasure trove of local heritage collected over the lifetime of this eminent local historian. Whilst at the History Centre you can also enjoy our ‘Yorkshire Roots’ installation, inspired by our district’s famous rhubarb and liquorice, have a go at writing with a real feather quill and find out more about Annie Morris' colourful sculpture on our Plaza.

Open 5pm - 8pm   

Recent paintings, mainly of food and drink.

Project Space   
Open 5pm-8pm   

Having entered the asylum process and arrived in Wakefield in November 2024, Mehrdad is currently living in the initial accommodation hostel. In Iran, Mehrdad, enjoyed practicing traditional Iranian calligraphy as a creative pastime.

Having joined The Art House Talk and Draw session Mehrdad embraced his creativity and experimented with materials and has created a new body of work. All the work has been created in his small hostel room, using materials donated from The Art House Studio of Sanctuary and local artists.

Studio A1   
Open 5pm-9pm   

Having applied for asylum, Mohammad arrived in Wakefield in September 2024. On joining The Art House, Talk and Draw sessions, Mohammad expressed an interest in developing his creativity. The works which are displayed have been produced in his asylum accommodation with materials donated by The Art House Studio of Sanctuary and local artists.

Originally from Iran, Mohammad and his family have recently been granted five years Leave to Remain. As new refugees the family are looking to settle in Wakefield.

Studio A1   
Open 5pm-9pm   

Join us throughout the evening to learn about One Day at a Time, our new initiative of workshops working toward a series of performances that all centre around lived experience of cancer. If you or a loved one has been impacted, we'd love to hear from you and have you involved in our upcoming creative workshops (all free of course!).

We will also be joined by Michael Yates and Susan McCartney reading their latest works for us in our Storytime corner.

Studio A4 (The Big Room)   
Open 5pm-8pm   

Inspire Arts presents Lisa Fascione. Lisa is a visual abstract artist exploring emotion through colour and texture. Her work captures human connection, memory, and unseen forces.

Her latest exhibition, The Glue That Binds Us, examines invisible bonds through bold hues and layered surfaces, creating immersive experiences that invite viewers to feel rather than just see.

Studio B3   
Open 5pm-9pm   

Hause of O returns to The Art Exchange for the March Artwalk.

With upcycled clothing, handmade items and hand-selected vintage pieces. At Hause of O we love fabric in all it's forms but fashion is our favourite. With 25 years of experience working with fabric, from bridal to costume design and fabric art, set design and much more.

Studio B5   
Open 5pm-9pm   

Charcoal drawings - portraits and figures, finished works and work in progress.

Studio C5   
Open 5pm-9pm   

Finding My Place was an #OurYear2024 funded creative project led by The Lofi Alchemists. The participants joined us over 12 weeks to explore how our local environment shapes and connects us to our community. The art produced used "LoFi" materials, techniques and artistic methods. Come along and celebrate the personal artistic journeys of this wonderful and local creative project.

Studio C6   
Open 5pm-8:30pm   

Open studio, plus a first look at new paintings before they are dispatched for upcoming solo show.

Studio C7   
Open 5pm-9pm   

Join the resident Westgate Studios framer for a demonstation. We'll be looking at offset mount cutting and why you might want to choose it.

Coffee available after 8pm.

Studio C8   
Open 5pm-9pm   

Wakefield Art Club meets every Tuesday between 7pm and 9pm at West Wakefield Methodist Church on Thornes Road. They welcome artists of any level, style and medium and offer a full calendar of suggested themes, events, demonstrations and workshops, plus a chance to work outdoors in various locations. Contact wakefieldartclub@wixsite.com for more information.

Open 5pm-8pm   

I am a young artist who has been interested in art for years now. I like to try a range of subjects in my work from architecture, landscapes and animals but this exhibition is mainly based on my travels and places I have visited. My work is created mostly from photographs. I use a range of media including: acrylic, gouache and water paintings, pen and pencil work, lino printing, screen printing and collage.

Open 5pm-8pm   

My paintings are a visual depiction of what I imagine music would look like in a physical form. I have made them by listening to different genres of music and instinctively creating shapes and patterns that represents different elements of the music.

I have also included some portraits that show my journey with my bipolar disorder and how it changed how I perceive my body depending on my mental wellbeing.

Open 6pm-8pm   

The Art Group based in Fitzwilliam meet every Wednesday morning to be creative, catch up on news, have a cuppa and support each other. They are all self-taught and relish learning new skills and techniques as well as working in familiar mediums such as watercolours and sketching.

Recently they have, through a grant from Wakefield Council - Our Year, started exhibiting their work again. If anyone wants to know more or join the group they can contact Karen on karen.watson61@googlemail.com.

Open 5pm-8pm