Tag: York Open Studios 2026

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York linocut artist Gerard Hobson designs 13 bird boxes for Castle Howard Gardens and Arboretum’s Easter Family Trail

York artist Gerard Hobson with one of his 13 bird boxes for Castle Howard’s Easter trail. Picture: David Scott

YORK wildlife, flora and fauna artist and printmaker Gerard Hobson is collaborating with Castle Howard on a new interactive Easter trail for families, comprising 13 handmade wooden bird boxes installed for a springtime adventure across Castle Howard Gardens and the Arboretum.

In post until April 19, the boxes house Hobson’s linocuts of birds, including swallow, magpie, woodpecker and wren, as part of a story designed for children as they all prepare for spring.

All those who complete the trail, answering questions posed by Owl and his friends, will be rewarded with a chocolate prize at the finish, supplied by Autism Plus in Knaresborough. “Designing and making this trail has been a wonderful opportunity to showcase the varied wildlife that visits our gardens, both at home and in the Castle Howard Estate,” says Gerard.

“Young explorers will discover interesting facts about our feathered friends and learn more about their homes along the way,” he says.

Ben Paterson installing one of Gerard Hobson’s bird boxes at the Castle Howard Arboretum for the Castle Howard Easter trail. Picture: David Scott

Abbigail Ollive, Castle Howard’s visitor attraction director, says: “Easter is always a special time to visit the estate and this year’s trail is a wonderful way for families to explore the gardens and learn about nature together.

“Gerard is known for his bold hand-coloured lino prints, inspired by British wildlife, and we are delighted to partner with him as he transforms his beautiful style into a playful outdoor installation. We’re thrilled that the trail extends across both Castle Howard and the Arboretum, so families can continue the adventure.”

The Easter Family Trail is included with Castle Howard Membership, along with Castle Howard and Arboretum day tickets at castlehoward.co.uk and castlehowardarboretumtrust.org. The Castle Howard Farm Shop and Arboretum Shop are stocking Gerard Hobson’s designs, including prints and homeware, for sale.

Hobson will be taking part in York Open Studios on April 18, 19, 25 and 26, from 10am to 5pm, demonstrating his linocut printing skills at his studio in Water Lane, Clifton.

Artist and printmaker Gerard Hobson in his Water Lane studio in York. Picture: Gerard Hobson

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Painter Carolyn Coles, ceramicist Emily Stubbs & sculptor Karen Fawcett unite for The Sky’s The Limit at Pyramid Gallery

Seascape artist Carolyn Coles

SOUTH Bank Studios artist Carolyn Coles and PICA Studios ceramicist Emily Stubbs will be on hand from 11.30am to 2.30pm at Saturday’s opening of The Sky’s The Limit, their joint exhibition with wildlife sculptor Karen Fawcett at Pyramid Gallery, Stonegate, York.

“I will be happy to serve you a glass of wine or non-alcoholic prosecco,” says gallery curator and owner Terry Brett.

After studying art and illustration in the early 1990s, Carolyn has exhibited artwork in York, Leeds, London, Derby, Manchester and Hereford in solo and shared shows, selling work internationally too.

She has worked in the creative industry for more than 30 years within adult education, graphic design and illustration and now paints full time from her studio with a group of 19 artists at Southlands Methodist Church, Bishopthorpe Road, South Bank.

Fishing For Dinner, by Carolyn Coles, on show at Pyramid Gallery from Saturday

Described by Terry as “a painter of gorgeous seas and skies”, Carolyn has chosen seascapes as her primary subject matter and likes to capture atmosphere, usually with a leaning towards dark and moody, and generally on a larger scale.

Carolyn’s love of the seaside and nature in general is reflected in her painting. Utilising a range of styles, her new collection is mostly impressionistic: “This allows the viewer to interpret their own story and pull their own memories back into play,” she says.

“I’m interested in recreating a feeling, an essence. I love being by the sea or in the hills. It’s a tonic. The noise, everything, just soaks into me. I like to be playful, bold and subtle in my work, which is mostly acrylic on stretched canvasses.”

Like Carolyn, Emily Stubbs has been selected to take part in York Open Studios 2026 on April 18 & 19 and April 25 & 26. She is a founding member of PICA Studios, an artist-led studio collective of 23 artists, makers, writers and thinkers in an 18th-century printworks building in Grape Lane, and exhibits her contemporary ceramics in exhibitions, events and galleries around the UK.

Ceramicist Emily Stubbs

“Through my work, I explore the playful relationship between form and surface decoration,” she says. “The vessel is my primary interest, created by building and collaging slabs of textured clay together.

“Drawing inspiration from my 2D paper collages and sketches, I translate this process into clay, building up layer upon layer of slips and glazes. The finished vessels have a similar graphic quality to them, with bold colour, strong line and intuitive mark making.”

Karen Fawcett is committed to creating life-like sculptures using the British countryside and coast as her inspiration. “The sculptures are created from detailed study and visual observation of the subject, and with reference to an actual specimen where possible,” she says.

Blue Fragmented Vessel, by Emily Stubbs

“They are hand crafted and finished to a very high level of detail; each piece is therefore individual and unique. I aim to capture not just the look, but also the spirit or personality of the subject, making it appear much more alive – as though it could move at any moment.

“My sculptures are not only unique and affordable works of art, but also bring a piece of the natural world directly into your home. All my works are either signed on the underside, or where this is not possible I use a stamp of the ‘K’ logo to ensure it is an authentic piece.”

The Sky’s The Limit will run until mid-March. Look out too for work by Pyramid Gallery’s Jeweller of the Month, Kate Rhodes, from Hebden Bridge. Gallery opening hours are: 10am to 5pm, Monday to Saturday.

Wildlife sculptor Karen Fawcett