Yorkshire Day return for the Hepworth
Yorkshire Day, Saturday August 1, is an appropriate date for one of the county’s most prestigious arts venues, The Hepworth Wakefield, to reopen its doors.
With all the necessary safety measures in place, visitors can once more enjoy the gallery’s superb art collection, including the acclaimed exhibition of works by Bill Brandt and Henry Moore which was drawing so much praise before the lockdown closure.
Alongside this latter exhibition – for which advance booking is recommended – are six free galleries showcasing works from Wakefield’s art collection, ranging from recent Turner
Prize winners to contemporaries of Barbara Hepworth, including two rooms dedicated to the work of Hepworth herself.
Gallery director Simon Wallis says: “After four months of being closed, we are so looking forward to welcoming visitors back to the gallery.
“Our doors shut only a few weeks after opening our hugely popular and critically acclaimed Bill Brandt / Henry Moore exhibition, so we are delighted to have been able to extend the exhibition to give people another chance to visit.”
A major new feature at the gallery has come into its own in recent weeks, in the shape of The Hepworth Wakefield Garden.
Created by internationallyrenowned garden designer Tom Stuart-Smith, it has provided an uplifting space for local people to exercise and, with its sculptures by Lynn Chadwick, Sir Michael Craig-Martin, Barbara Hepworth and Rebecca Warren, is an integral part of a gallery visit.
“Our free Tom Stuart-Smith garden has been such a vital resource for local communities during lockdown,” says Simon Wallis. “We can’t wait for many more people to enjoy it.”
Although the gallery’s cafe is not currently serving food, popup vendors will be located across the site serving hot and cold drinks and snacks. These can be enjoyed in the garden or in the cafe space, which is acting as an indoor picnic area.
The cafe is also exhibiting a new collection of prints for sale by local artist Seanna Doonan
Simon Wallis concludes: “We have in place a detailed and rigorous plan to ensure people can once again safely visit our beautiful galleries.
“I want to thank everyone, particularly our members and patrons, for their continued support of our charity and patience at this challenging time.
“A very warm Yorkshire Day welcome awaits you all.”