About
Based in West Yorkshire, Aire Valley Arts is a group of highly committed visual artists working in a contemporary context, whose aim is to make a dynamic contribution to the arts in the community and beyond, by holding events, exhibitions and workshops.
With an emphasis on diversity, experimentation and creativity, each of the artists in the group work independently – whilst meeting regularly – in media ranging from traditional impasto oils, to watercolour, textiles, ceramics, printmaking and photography, resulting in eclectic exhibitions.
Started in March 1995 with just seven members, Aire Valley Arts has grown significantly over the years, with fifteen to twenty members at any one time.
The majority of members are painters, but AVA encourage all visual art forms, including textiles, sculpture, printmaking, photography and other practices. The only criteria is that the work be adventurous and genuinely contemporary.
Eleven of the current members (from left): Kate Stewart, Jane Fielder, Anne Marwick, Sue Strange, Nancy Stedman, Daniel Paulo, Martin Cosgrove, Jan Whittock, David Starley, Kath Bonson and Caroline Hardaker.
History
Aire Valley Arts was formed in March 1995 as a response to a perceived need to raise the profile of contemporary visual arts practice in the area.
The first members where brought together by Daniel Paulo and Peter Marsden, two friends working in the Keighley district of West Yorkshire, close to the Aire Valley. They placed an advert in the local newspaper (pictured), asking if any local artists would like to set up a group to ease the isolation of the artist, to pool resources, to improve the status of the visual arts in our area and of course, to have fun!
It soon became obvious to the founders that there were a number of artists working outside of the touristy Dales landscape field who would benefit from a collective voice, shared ideals and resources, and the creation of opportunities not accessible to the individual, such as our 1997 Lottery-funded book, ‘The Spirit of Bradford: 18 Artists and a City’, published to tie in with the Bradford Centenary.
Originally the group began as a small venture with just seven members, growing to the current number of fifteen.
Over the years it has staged and taken part in a large number of exhibitions, as well as providing a supportive forum for its members and it continues in this work today.
Artists
Aire Valley Arts usually has between fifteen and twenty members at any one time, with the current number being sixteen.
Members possess all kinds of skills and work in all types of media. AVA are painters, printmakers, sculptors, photographers, designers and illustrators. Some members partake in other professions to support their art, whilst others work solely as artists. All sell work in a professional capacity.
The age group has ranged from 18 to 80, which has made for an interesting mix of freshness and experience.
Exhibitions
Over the years Aire Valley Arts has staged many successful exhibitions, events and workshops, both locally and further afield.