An exhibition of screen prints inspired by architecture around Yorkshire that have been repeated to reinvent the original imagery into pattern. Edited photographs exposed on to screen mesh and printed using acrylic paint with printing medium mixed. Created by Ben Skidmore, an artist living and working in Wakefield, originally from Reading.

Open 5pm-8pm   

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

Open 5pm-8pm   

Documentary photography collection of Thailand during 2024-2025.

Open 5pm-8pm   

Meet Krissy Wallace, local textile artist, social purpose educator, expert Dorset buttoner and Heritage Crafts guild member.

See her beautiful works and have a go at making your own Dorset button.

Event Space   
Open 5pm-9pm   

Michelle, an Art, Design, and Technology graduate, is deeply passionate about art history, archaeology and architecture. Her Natural Environment Collection includes her latest work inspired by her love of wild swimming. Her York-based studio serves as a perfect space for creating large-scale art pieces and handling various projects, especially in oil and watercolour. She also teaches classes at her studio and elsewhere, nurturing the artistic skills of her students.

She has taken part in York Open Studios and showcased her work in various solo and group exhibitions across the UK.

Event Space   
Open 5pm-9pm   

Born and raised in West Yorkshire, I developed an early appetite for creativity, though life initially led me down a different path—a successful 30-year career in graphic design and print, where I worked as a sales manager. Now, after a long hiatus, I’ve returned to my artistic roots with renewed passion and fresh perspective.

These days, my creative focus lies in oil paints and colour pencils, having previously explored watercolours with a fair amount of success. My work is deeply influenced by my love of nature and time spent walking in the countryside, which naturally draws me toward wildlife subjects and still life compositions created in the calm of my home studio.

My painting style leans toward modern realism—rooted in admiration for the Old Masters but reimagined with a contemporary twist. I find the greatest joy in capturing the beauty of detail, whether in the delicate texture of feathers or textures in everyday objects bathed in natural light.

Event Space   
Open 5pm-9pm   

Welcome to Wakefield Art Club’s exhibition of their creative artwork which includes painting, drawing and mixed media. The work highlights the diverse range of expressive art created by the members. Each individual artist is inspired by different things, nature or urban scenes, abstract or still life, but we all share one overall aim of expressing our creativity through art.

The art club is one of the oldest in the area, having reached its milestone anniversary of seventy years last year. We meet every Tuesday 7pm-9pm and have a programme of activities, including weekly themed workshops and occasional demonstrations by visiting artists or outdoor excursions during the summer months.

The group consists of members new to art, others who have many years of experience who are very supportive and enjoy sharing tips or techniques to aid in skill development. To encourage creativity and interaction we hold optional themed contests from time to time. We are a friendly and sociable group and love to welcome new members of all abilities.

Event Space   
Open 5pm-9pm   

Developed over four years, Clayden's exhibition showcases her extensive body of mid-blue toned monoprints. Her sustained focus on blue serves as a quiet homage to her enduring love of swimming, the sea, the sky, and the vast spaces in between.

Open 5pm-8pm   

Presented annually, the Gilbert Bayes award is designed to support early-career artists working in sculpture.

Curated by Clemency Cooke and Charlotte Latham, founders of Cooke Latham Gallery, this year’s exhibition brings together an impressive group of artists: Chris Thompson, Elinor Haynes, Euphrosyne Andrews, Jack Evans, Kishwar Kiani, Laura Hills, Laura Ni Fhlaibhin, Maria Positano, Melania Toma, and Rong Bao.

There will be speeches at 6:15pm.

Open 5pm-8pm   

A captivating series of large-scale, realistic portraits in which Hanson challenges traditional notions of representation, focusing on people historically excluded from classical portraiture.

Open 5pm-8pm   

HER Legacy is an exciting new feminist research project and sculpture trail by artists Emma Hardaker and Emily Ryalls. In collaboration, the artists have been exploring the lives and legacies of historical Wakefield women.

Commissioned by Historic England, as part of the History in The Making programme, the two artists have been working collectively with a group of five young women, researching overlooked women’s histories in the local area.

Since spring 2024, the group have been experimenting with a range of materials and processes in response to their research. This has ranged from plaster casting with moulds from historic buildings, a tea ceremony inspired by local botanical illustrator Eliza Eve Gledhall, and women’s self-defence explorations in honour of those who shared and practiced Suffrajitzu with their local community. All this embodied research accumulated in the creation of the HER Legacy sculpture trail, celebrating the legacy of these incredible women who came before us.

Begin your trial at The Art House, where you can pick up a trail map and learn more about the project and sculpture sites.

With collaboration from young creatives: Alisha Farmer, Evalyn Naylor, Issy Chapman, Josie Watson, Lola Barnecott.

Foyer   
Open 4pm-6pm   

Hearts Alive Tattoo is an established traditional tattoo shop located at Wakefield's Westgate End. With 5 artists working at the shop, we offer a varied range of work, specialising in clan, solid, bold tattoos that last the test of time.

On this Artwalk we will be exhibiting work from Adam Hanley, Laura Hanley, Dean Boreham, Kat Macintosh and Dan Mulhern.

Open 5pm-9pm   

The Old Vicarage is a historical landmark. Gaynor bases her activities on a Victorian theme which can incorporate making Victorian rose/lavender pouches, poetry reading or story story reading. Light beverages available on the night.

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.

Open 5pm-9pm   

Enjoying her retirement, Janet has found the love of art, working mainly in watercolour and jewellery creations.

Hidden Gem   
Open 5pm-8pm   

A local artist who uses various mediums including graphite, charcoal and traditional oils to create unique works. She combines her art with a passion for photography, with these often complementing each other. This work evolves around vision; the things we see, think we see and choose to ignore. Life is always from our perspective and influenced from the way we view the outside. From minimalist to multiplex, a sample of work from this artist.

You can also support Marie’s photography by downloading high quality images from the Picfair website. Search for AlexandraMediaCreations.

Open 5pm-9pm   

This time, we're telling a story...but you have to write it first! Read the story so far (on the wall), then get an official sheet from the bar and add your own 20 words. You can add a little illustration too if you like!

Running from Thursday 24th April until the May Artwalk. Plenty of time to call down and take part.

Where will this story lead us...?

The Main Artwalk Wall   
Open 12pm-11pm   

At the Red Shed we're continuing our focus on Women of the Working Class, and welcome Carrie Scott-Huby as our featured artist for this month's Artwalk. Carrie's work is about bringing forward our textile heritage, particularly incorporating the skills of our female ancestors. Her works are created using recycled/upcycled and sustainable materials. Carrie will be available from 5pm, so come along early and chat about her art.

From 5pm to 6.45pm, you can also view our general display about Women of the Working Class, and a special feature on Anne Scargill, who sadly passed away in April.

Open 5pm-8pm   

My artwork depicts scenes from my life. I take inspiration from whatever is around me, the ordinary and the extraordinary. Whether it’s a neighbourhood tree, a local building, or coastal scenery.

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:

- Waterstons - Rob C's Poetry 1/2 Hour 4:30pm to 5:15pm
- WX Wakefield Exchange - Rob C's Central Words 6pm to 7:30pm
- The Six Chimneys - Rob C's Poetry Corner 7:45pm to 9pm

Open 7:45pm-9pm   

Come and see a selection of the latest images from our members including images from our recent street photography competition. There will be club members available to answer questions and talk about all things photography based.

Open 5pm-8pm   

Lawefield Primary's brilliant year 6 children have produced beautiful acrylic paintings entitled 'Landmarks of Wakefield'.

They worked collaboratively in response to investigating the styles of Van Gogh and the French Impressionists. The landmarks they chose to represent include amongst others: Wakefield Cathedral, the Arthouse, Wakefield Theatre, the Hepworth Gallery and Newmillerdam!

Open 5pm-8pm   

Journey through Wakefield Cathedral and meet extraordinary figures from centuries past — each sharing a snippet of their story close to the stones on which they are immortalised.

This live theatre event is a teaser for our upcoming major show during September’s Heritage weekend, so come down, chat with us, and learn all about The Stories of the Stones with our moving museum.

There will be performances at 6:30pm and 7:30pm.

Open 5pm-8pm   

This mixed media art exhibit was facilitated by the Outreach Team at Wakefield Hospice. The collaborative piece of artwork was created to provide an expression of belonging, friendship and sense of achievement for individuals within Wakefield, who are living with, or been impacted by life-limiting conditions.

The group ran at The Art House for 10 weeks, and gave group members a chance to learn more around hospice and end-of-life care services available in the local area.

Platform 3   
Open 5pm-9pm   

Join CoActive Arts as we share work created by our Friday studio members. Led by our learning disabled members interests, this exhibition celebrates our skills, ambitions and interests as authors, illustrators, researchers and editors; creating books, zines and magazines, characters and interactive games that tell you our stories and the things we're passionate about. There will be opportunity for freebies, publications to buy and a hand made large scale board game to play!

The exhibition will remain in place until June 20th - marking the end of Learning Disability week.

Open 5pm-7pm   

Come along to the Wakefield Railway Modellers Society Clubrooms on Garden Street to see the latest progress of the model of Newland Basin and Tom Puddings at Stanley Ferry on the Aire & Calder Navigation. We would be interested to hear any memories or information of what was once such an important industry for the area.

Ground Floor   
Open 5pm-9pm   

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 two of his most recent publications.

1st Floor   
Open 4:30pm-5:15pm   

Julie presents her first exhibition as a mixed media artist based in West Yorkshire, making this a significant milestone in her creative journey.

Her art is a vibrant tapestry woven from her profound connection with the natural world, the ancient wisdom of herbal medicine and the rich heritage of her celtic ancestry. Through a diverse range of creative processes including painting, intricate embroidery and tactile metal and clay sculpture, Julie's pieces offer a unique and compelling perspective.

B5 - Art Exchange   
Open 5pm-8pm   

Welcome to "Collagarium Imaginaire," an imaginative and joyful exhibition where the abstract flirts with the mundane, and the obscure mingles with the everyday. Here, the ordinary and extraordinary combine in a kaleidoscope of colour, shapes, and whimsy, creating a show that delights the senses.

Project Space   
Open 5pm-9pm   

Recent paintings from Roger Gardner on display in his studio. Roger paints images of picnic tables in oil on canvas and recently he has been painting images on dinner plates. A number of his works were in a joint show at Dean Clough, Halifax until January 2025.

Studio B15   
Open 5pm-9pm   

New copper and silver jewellery from Westgate's resident jewellery maker.

Studio B6   
Open 5pm-9pm   

Join framer Carl to learn more about limited editions - their history, why artists should use them, and what pitfalls to be aware of. Drop-in session!

Studio C8   
Open 5pm-9pm   

Hands-on portraiture drawing, along with an exhibition of paintings and drawings from the portrait and life sessions.

Westgate Studios has held weekly life drawing classes since 2012 and a monthly portrait painting session since 2018. This exhibition will showcase portrait paintings from over the last seven years and recent life drawing work.

Visitors are encouraged to have a go at drawing, sketching and even modelling on the night.

The Big Room (A4)   
Open 5pm-9pm   

Sea scapes by Alison Wadkin, featuring 'Beginning of the barrel' (charcoal), 'Safe haven' (oils), and 'Grey breakthrough (charcoal).

Open 5pm-8pm   

SzeNga Chan is a Hong Kong-born illustrator and artist currently based in Wakefield, UK. Her work captures the quiet poetry of urban life by focusing on overlooked elements such as neon signs, electric meters, junction boxes, and cables. Objects that reflect the everyday reality of working-class communities.

With a background in sculpture and fine detail painting, she previously worked as a wax artist at Madame Tussauds Hong Kong, and has been involved in community art projects with organisations such as St. James’ Settlement and Hong Kong Disneyland. Her current practice blends memory, cultural history, and architectural decay to explore themes of identity, displacement, and the passage of time.

Open 5pm-8pm   

Doncaster-based artist, Chris Teal has developed her artistic career over 20 years from studying with the Open College of the Arts and taking on commission-based work to teaching all ages and abilities. She has also undertaken group demonstrations, and Wellness Workshops, along with many solo exhibitions in her fully equipped Fenwick studio. Many of her works are featured at the D31 Gallery in Doncaster and she has an award for her painting ’Nolyaplya’. Chris's work mainly focuses on nature in all its forms using watercolour, acrylics and mixed media collage.

More recently her work has been showcased at the Doncaster Corn Exchange Creative Market, The Fox Gallery, Mexborough, the WOW Festival Rotherham Art Trail, the Wakefield Art Walk (Sept 24) The Danum Gallery, Library and Museum with her 40th Anniversary of the Miners Strike Championing Change commission, plus she has published an article for The Yorkshire Post titled "My Yorkshire".

Open 5pm-8pm   

Two pieces on display. One is called ‘Hunter’ and is the head of my youngest sister’s black Labrador, and the second is called ‘Pandora’ and is the face of a friend’s Chinese Crested dog. Both pieces are coloured pencil on Clairefontaine Pastelmat paper.

Open 5pm-8pm   

Welcome to "Flower Power", an exhibition that brings the vibrancy of nature into the heart of the gallery.

This captivating collection of paintings, explores the symbolism, beauty, and energy of flowers through diverse styles and mediums. Each piece in this series delves into the power of blooms, from their aesthetic appeal to their deeper connection with life, growth, and transformation.

The exhibition invites viewers to celebrate the resilience of flowers, their role in the cycle of life, and their profound influence on our emotions and the world around us.

Step into this world of botanical beauty, where every painting is an invitation to explore and be inspired by the power of flowers.

Open 5pm-8pm   

I work in the pursuit of many ideals and concerns, creating paintings drawn from life and my imagination. "God the Devil & Love" is the title for my first body of work.

"God the Devil & Love" is a retrospective exhibition reflecting on my creative journey and life. This exhibition brings together a lifetime of creativity and a spiritual quest. A selection of past and present artworks from the countless hours spent developing traditional skills and navigating the evolving landscape of new technologies. I’m a multifaceted creative and proficient self-taught computer user, through my art I endeavour to share my thoughts and emotions.

Open 5pm-8pm   

This is an opportunity to see the print works of Graham Riding. Using a variety of etching techniques he has created a series of prints exploring the timeless Bass Rock and the experience of walking between the sea defences of St Bees in Cumbria. Graham will be on hand during the Art Walk exhibition at Wakefield Exchange.

Open 5pm-8pm   

Lawrence came to art as a form of therapy, with a view to allowing the sub conscious to reveal itself. With most pieces being made around 3am, expect abstract expressionism with a playful tone.

Open 5pm-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 and displayed them. The scripts showcased here are 'Protection' a drama base on the scenario of the death penalty being reintroduced into the UK and 'United' a historical drama about the miners strikes, set in 1984.

Open 5pm-8pm   

I'm an abstract artist who creates all my work live on stream, inviting my online community to take the reins. Every piece is shaped by collective decisions—viewers choose the colours, the style, and even the tools I use to paint. I never use a brush. Instead, I work with spoons, sponges, and whatever random household objects are within reach.

This way of working turns each painting into more than just a finished product—it becomes a shared experience. The process is unpredictable, collaborative, and full of energy, and that’s exactly what I love about it.

For me, art isn’t just about expressing myself—it’s about opening the door and letting others in.

Open 5pm-8pm   

Join Bonita and Jayne for a look at art pieces, paintings, decoupage sculptures made from rubbish that would have gone to landfill. Their collection is focused on mental wellbeing from being in the natural world.

Open 5pm-8pm   

Rob C's 'Central Words' will be hosted by Robert P. Clarke and will headline Susan McCartney and Angie de Courcy Bower in the poetry section with singer Dannyella and sound artist Tom Carroll.

There will be Open Mic Slots available bookable in advance at create@artcollab.co.uk

Stage   
Open 6pm-7:30pm