AFTER its most successful year since opening 40 years ago, a local gallery is set for a bright 2020.

Founded in 1979 by Bill Lord, Harrison Lord art gallery in Brighouse was spawned from the family photography business which dates back to1966.

Now run by Bill’s son Steven Lord, the Bradford Road Gallery specialises in affordable and collectable original paintings from the region’s top artists.

Says Steven: “It has been a terrific year, the best ever - we have had more wonderful art on show than I can ever remember and we have been rewarded with record sales. From Rozanne Bell’s colourful creations to Roger Davies’s quirky local scenes, our walls have been full of great paintings all year.”

The gallery’s run of exhibitions last year included Simon Wright, David Smith, Rozanne Bell, Mark Sofilas, Neville Fleetwood, Danny Abrahams, Stephen Todd and many more.

“Throughout 2019 we have showcased a wide range of wonderful local talent and been rewarded with record sales. We are already planning some great exhibitions for 2020.”

He adds: “As we enter 2020 the gallery has a new mixed show of work by some top artists, headlined by West Yorkshire artist Kate Lycett, whose trademark landscapes feature gold thread and gold leaf. They are very striking, as well as cheerful and uplifting, which is what at the beginning of the year.”

Her paintings include Bolton Abbey, Whitby, Flamborough Head, the Bronte Parsonage at Haworth, the viaduct at Knaresborough and Castle Howard. She has also painted many street scenes in her home town of Hebden Bridge.

Other artists work on show include Mark Sofilas, Stephen Todd, Barbara Renton Wood, Sue Ford, Clare Haley and Sheryl Roberts.

Recent exhibitions featuring Simon Wright, David Smith and Roger Davies continue throughout January.

Cleckheaton-based Simon’s subjects cover a wide range of local landscapes, all displaying a vivid colour palette, with the focus of the show being a range of Yorkshire’s best known scenes including Saltaire, the Piece Hall in Halifax, Bettys tearoom and Sugden’s Flour Mill beside the canal in Brighouse.

Says Simon: “My work has sold throughout Britain and America. In recent years I have become more successful through various national art competitions. It’s great to have a major exhibition so close to home in West Yorkshire. The paintings are beautifully displayed in the gallery and I’m very proud of them.”

Adds Steven: “I commissioned Simon to paint local Yorkshire scenes and he amazed me with the quality of his work.”

Steven is looking forward to the coming year, to build on the success of 2019. “It promises to be an exciting time - we have a lot to look forward to.”

Harrison Lord Gallery, Bradford Road, Brighouse, is open every day apart from Sundays and entry to the exhibitions is free.

For more details contact the gallery on 01484 722462 or visit the website harrisonlord.co.uk for more details

Helen Mead