Whitby 'artisan quarter' shops turn into gallery spaces as part of spring exhibition
A new art exhibition takes over the streets of Whitby this spring, with shops turning into gallery spaces as part of The Great Exhibition.
Running from now to May 4, the exhibition will see around 35 original artworks displayed across businesses in the Artisan Quarter of Flowergate, Skinner Street and Silver Street.
Instead of being housed in a traditional gallery, the pieces will be installed in shop windows and inside participating venues, creating an accessible art trail through the town.
The project is part of the wider Flowergate & Beyond initiative - supported by David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire and part-funded by York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority - and aims to encourage people to explore the area while engaging with a wide range of artwork inspired by Whitby.
All of the work has been selected through an open submission process via Curator Space, with artists from across the UK invited to respond to the themes of Whitby memories, culture, living history, heritage and landscape.
The final exhibition includes a mix of paintings, prints, lino cuts, ceramics and photography, featuring both amateur and professional artists.
The exhibition has been curated by the project team alongside artist and gallery owner Sally Smith, who has strong links to Whitby, where she lives on Flowergate.
Visitors will be able to follow the exhibition as an art trail, with a printed map and brochure available to guide them between locations.
The guide will include details of each artwork and what3words references to make it easy to find every piece.
Many of the artworks will also be available to buy, with purchases handled directly through the shops hosting the work.
The Great Exhibition is expected to draw both visitors and residents into the town centre over the spring period, offering a new way to experience Whitby’s independent shops and creative community.