Cats make for the purrfect Christmas present at Kentmere House Gallery

Can They Be Mine?, oil on board, by Susan Bower

KENTMERE House Gallery, in Scarcroft Hill, York, will be open every weekend until December 22, complemented by late-night openings on Thursdays.

“Those who have everything may be the bane of your life, but you can be absolutely certain that they don’t have any of the paintings available from this gallery because all are originals,” says owner and curator Ann Petherick.

“We have the usual Christmas Aladdin’s cave to rummage around in, with a price range from £50 to £2,500, plus books from £10.

Bertie, watercolour, by Frances Brock

“There’s a slight emphasis on cats in this year’s collection – anticipating the imminent arrival of the film musical, perhaps?! – including Susan Bower’s Can They Be Mine?, a watercolour by York artist Frances Brock and a delightful linocut by Norfolk artist Hannah Hann, discovered in a small gallery in Norfolk.”

On display too is new work by Kentmere House favourites such as John Thornton, Rosie Dean and David Greenwood, along with work from nationally known printmakers Valerie Thornton, John Brunsdon and Richard Bawden.   

“And if it’s all too difficult, there’s the gallery’s gift voucher service, allowing the recipients themselves to make the choice and with the gallery adding five per cent to the value of any voucher,” says Ann.  

Two Cats On A Rug, linocut, by Hannah Hann

“Alternatively, if you buy a painting as a gift and the recipient would prefer another, return it by the end of January and a full credit will be given against another painting.”

Kentmere House Gallery can be visited each Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 5pm, plus Thursdays from 6pm to 9pm. “You are also welcome at any other timeswith a telephone call in advance to check on 01904 656507 or 07801 810825 – or just ring the bell.”

The gallery will re-open after the Christmas break on Saturday, January 4.

York Minster From Dean’s Park, pastel, by David Greenwood