A successful launch for Wirksworth’s Haarlem Gallery

Derbyshire’s brand new rural contemporary gallery opens to the public

The team behind Derbyshire’s newest arts venue, Haarlem Gallery, were celebrating this week following a hugely successful launch event which saw people travel from across the region to experience contemporary art in a rural setting.

‘Gathering’ which was curated by Verity Birt and Jonathan Michael Ray, and featured works from artists including Simon Bayliss, Ilker Cinarel, Georgia Gendall, Steven Claydon, Dan Howard-Birt, Abigail Reynolds, Lucy Stein and Tom Sewell, officially opened to the public on November 26.

Wirksworth-based Haarlem Galleries Co-Directors – including Olivia Punnett, Bev Shephard and Catherine Rogers – were on hand to greet guests throughout the evening, which was well attended despite the snowy weather conditions.

The gallery, which resides within the newly renovated 18th Century town assembly room within Wirksworth’s Red Lion Hotel, will continue to feature the multi-medium art exhibition which will remain open to the public until the 19th of December on Saturdays and Sundays between 11-4pm.

With the help of the Red Lion Hotel, Haarlem Gallery aims to showcase the range and quality of contemporary art that is available in non-traditional places and venues. The team will challenge the traditional art systems and raise expectations about what art can be.

Speaking on the launch, Co-Director Olivia Punnett said: “We are so delighted on the turnout for the gallery launch on Friday, it was lovely to see such a mixture of attendees, including some pub-goers, enjoying the exhibition.

“We are fortunate to have such a gorgeous space within the Red Lion Hotel to display, we want to encourage visitors from outside of Derbyshire to find out about Haarlem Artspace’s creative community and of course to visit the stunning historic town of Wirksworth.”