AIRE Valley Arts is a group of visual artists based in West Yorkshire, working in a contemporary context.
Their first exhibition of the year - Life’s Rich Tapestry - has opened at Bradford’s Trapezium Gallery, and showcases
Formed in 1995, the group’s aim is “to make a dynamic contribution to the arts in the community, and beyond”, by holding events, exhibitions and workshops, while providing a supportive forum for its now 16 members, all local artists.
The first members were brought together by Daniel Paulo and Peter Marsden who placed an ad in the T&A, hoping to find fellow artists, in a bid to ease the isolation of artists, pool resources and provide opportunities not readily accessible.
Says Daniel: “With an emphasis on diversity, experimentation and creativity, each of the artists in the group works independently, meeting regularly, in media ranging from traditional impasto oils, to watercolour, textiles, ceramics, printmaking, photography and collage, resulting in eclectic exhibitions.
“The majority of members are painters, but Aire Valley Arts encourage all visual art forms, the only criteria being that the work be adventurous and genuinely contemporary.”
Helen Shearwood who now lives in Perth, Australia, but is still very much part of the group, and fellow member Martin Cosgrove sum up the spirit of the exhibition: “Life’s Rich Tapestry, comprising works in a variety of size, colour and form, speaks of life’s diverse fullness as we each traverse our own truly unique paths whilst at the same time being united by the fundamental sameness of what it is that makes us human. The ups and downs, twists and turns, joys and sorrows, love and pain, hopes and disappointments and all manner of unexpected events that make their mark on us as our lives continue to unfold, weaving a rich tapestry of experiences in the process.”
The exhibiting artists are: Paul Hudson, Nancy Stedman, Jan Whitlock, Caroline Hardaker, Anne Marwick, Amy Charlesworth, Sue Strange, David Starley, Kath Bonson, Kate Stewart, Daniel Paulo, Martin Cosgrove, Helen Shearwood, Judy Sale and Jane Fielder.
* Life’s Rich Tapestry is at Trapezium Gallery, Kirkgate, Bradford city centre, until Saturday, March 25. Opening times are Tuesday, Friday, Saturday, 11am-3pm. Visit trapeziumarts.com or email art@trapeziumarts.com
* HINTERLANDS Film Festival is taking over Skipton this month. The festival, from Friday, March 17 to Sunday, March 19, has new additions announced to the programme, including a Mother’s Day screening of Emily.
Filmed in and around Haworth, 2022 film re-imagines events that led Emily Brontë to write Wuthering Heights. The screening will be followed by a Q&A with the film’s producer, Piers Tempest, and a cream tea at Alexander’s.
Also on the Hinterlands line-up is a talk by local caving expert Steph Dwyer, prior to a screening of Il Buco, a film that follows young cavers exploring Europe’s deepest cave. Steph will share insights from her extensive underground explorations, from walking untrodden pathways in secret European caves to exploring the Dales.
For horror fans, there’s a screening of Enys Men, the story of a wildlife volunteer who descends into a terrifying nightmare while working on a remote island. The screening is followed by a live recording of popular horror film podcast For the Love of Horror, with the chance to ask questions about the podcasters’ favourite horror flicks.
Festival events will take place at venues across Skipton, including the Plaza Cinema. The programme also includes a food and music night with road-trip comedy Hit The Road, a screening of Oscar-nominated The Banshees of Inisherin, followed by a St Patrick’s Day ceilidh, a comedy-horror screened in a vintage caravan, and a dog-friendly screening of Isle of Dogs, an animation about a Japanese city where dogs are banned.
“Hinterlands is all about the great outdoors in films from around the world,” says the festival’s artistic director, Geoff Bird. “Every film in the programme is a celebration of incredible rural landscapes and lives - whether it’s the remote west coast of Ireland, the sweeping hills of West Yorkshire or a roadtrip across Iran. Skipton is the ultimate backdrop to Hinterlands, with the drama and beauty of the Dales right on the doorstep.” Visit hinterlandsfstival.org.uk
* OVER at Yeadon Town Hall, a packed programme of music continues with Madness tribute band One Step Behind on March 25. Ahead of that, next Tuesday, there’s a performance of West Side Story. Performed by Yeadon Theatre Company, the event is a showcase of music from the much-loved show, bringing Romeo and Juliet into 1960s New York, where two young lovers are caught between warring street gangs.
Britain’s Got Talent finalists Dr Haze’s Circus of Horrors bring their macabre thrills to the stage on March 23. The quirky circus has toured the world, with its heady brew of burlesque, steampunk, gothic horror, black comedy and Victorian travelling show.
Yeadon Town Hall has become a hub of entertainment since its refurbishment in 2021. Built in 1889, the building was rescued as a Community Interest Company after falling into disrepair and was at risk of closure.
With 23 restored stain glass windows and a new bar, sound and lighting system, the venue is attracting a range of acts.
Managing director Jamie Hudson says: “I think audiences are eager to embrace spring, lighter nights, and going out to concerts and theatre after what feels like a very long winter. This March we’ve got a really strong programme of entertainment, showmanship and fun.” Visit yeadontownhall.co.uk
* HE was an Eighties chart-topper and his star still shines four decades on. Paul Young shot to fame 40 years ago when his album No Parlez went to No.1, spawning hits including Wherever I Lay My Hat (That’s My Home). A second No.1 album, The Secret Of Association, followed and mega hit Everytime You Go Away. Paul sustained his success - while having fun in his tex-mex band, Los Pacaminos.
Now, on the 40th anniversary of No Parlez, he’s releasing a new record and his memoir, both called Behind The Lens.
On April 1 Paul Young will be at St George’s Hall, delivering the hits and sharing the stories behind them. Call (01274) 432000 or visit bradford-theatres.co.uk
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