Be inspired in Yorkshire: Where to see art in Leeds this summer

East Street Arts, the Henry Moore Institute, the Brunswick, The Old Red Bus Station, the Art Hostel and The Yorkshire Sculpture Park –  Leeds is absolutely buzzing with big and small places to see art. We collected some of the best art events to visit in summer 2016.

Life Drawing with Rob Oldfield

 

 

If you are mature enough not to giggle at the thought of looking at someone’s naked bits (more mature than me), then why not give life drawing a shot?

On Saturday, 6 August 2016 from 14:00 to 16:00 you’ll get a chance to test your artistic mettle by depicting the human form at The Stanley & Audrey Burton Gallery, part of University of Leeds. Regardless of whether you’re a novice or an experienced artist, you’re welcome to come and express yourself using whatever medium you see fit.

Rob Oldfield is a York-based artist, graphic designer, sign-writer, art technician and teacher of life drawing in Leeds since 2014. You’ll need to book in advance, so follow the link below to buy tickets.

Life Drawing with Rob Oldfield, The Stanley & Audrey Burton Gallery, 6 August 2016, Time: 14:00 - 16:00, Cost: £10 (booking required).

Stay at The Art Hostel

Created in association with the brilliant East Street Arts, The Art Hostel opened this year to much fanfare and local acclaim. A truly original city experience, every room in The Art Hostel features a unique work of art. Changing exhibitions and an eclectic selection of resident artists make for a creative, inspirational base to explore the city.

Art in the Pen

Art in the Pen is a long established art fair in our native Skipton, North Yorkshire. Running since 2005, Art in the Pen has grown in popularity each year, with last year’s event involving 3,200 visitors and 160 artists exhibiting their work.

It doesn’t matter if you’re an experienced art collector or a total novice – there’s art on sale for a huge range of budgets, with pieces ranging from £1 to £3,000. Discover something the newest, most exciting artists again in Skipton this August.

13 & 14 August 2016, Skipton Auction Mart, Ling Fields, Skipton, BD23 1UD, 10am - 4pm

£3 admission (under 16's free), free parking and brochure. On site cafe, dogs welcome.

Not Vital, The Yorkshire Sculpture Park

World renowned sculptor Not Vital comes to the UK for his first ever European exhibition at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park this year.

Featuring paintings and vast indoor and outdoor sculptures, Not Vital features shimmering steel heads that absorb and reflect light, as well as a vast collection of work exploring themes of nature, anthropomorphism, travel and the surreal.

Crafted from a diverse range of materials including plaster, silver, gold, marble, glass and coal, stainless steel and bronze, this exhibition is, quite frankly, full of mad stuff that you’re going to want to look at. The Yorkshire Sculpture park is always a brilliant day out, so get out there and explore.

Not Vital, 21 May 16 –  2 Jan 17, Underground Gallery, Garden Gallery and open air, The Yorkshire Sculpture Park

Henry Moore Institute: The Body Extended: Sculpture and Prosthetics

 

The Body Extended: Sculpture and Prosthetics is a fascinating exhibition of over seventy artworks spanning the late-nineteenth century to the present day, exploring the way science and technology has sought to enhance the function of the body.

This unusual collection features prosthetics created for victims of war, with facial masks for injured WW1 soldiers included in this challenging and engaging exhibition – located at the Henry Moore Institute until October.

21st July 2016 - 23rd October 2016.