Shirley Sheppard celebrates 25 years of her art gallery in Scarborough's Blands Cliff

Included in her first exhibition of the year are 70 pieces bequeathed to Shirley and her friend Jill Christie by the late potter, who died two years ago. He had a studio at his home in Sneaton, near Whitby.

Displayed with John’s work – which ranges from plates to lamp stands and vases to a coffee set – is correspondence between Shirley and the man whose work she admired and has always exhibited.

“When John died, he gave Jill and I the pieces he had left. His work is amazing,” said Shirley.

John’s widow Liz and other members of his family will be at the opening of the Blands Cliff exhibition on Saturday March 28. Proceeds from the sale of his work will go to his family. Shirley hopes the Centre of Ceramic Art at York Art Gallery will take three of the pieces.

Alongside John’s ceramics are pieces by Shirley’s friend Janine Baldwin. She did her fine art degree at the same time as Shirley and they set up the gallery together.

“After graduating in 2000, I needed a studio and accommodation – little did I know I would find both, plus room for a gallery, all in one premises on the historic street of Blands Cliff,” said Shirley.

“Janine and I set up Blands Cliff gallery. With the help of many friends and fellow artists, we altered, scrubbed and painted, welded old iron gates for security grills, converting the once candy floss shop to sell ours and other artists’ work,” she said.

Australian-born and bred Shirley also has work on show – including drawings of musicians at Scarborough Jazz Festival and her latest ceramics – decorated faces including a punk rocker and examples inspired by her travels in Japan.

The exhibition opens on Saturday, March 28 and the gallery is open Wednesdays to Fridays from noon to 5pm and Saturdays and Sundays from 11am to 5pm. Entry is free.