A KEIGHLEY museum and a Thornton art gallery have joined forces for a new project.

Cliffe Castle Curiosity Shop is the result of a collaboration between South Square Gallery and Cliffe Castle Museum, and has seen three artists take inspiration from the quirky venue.

As well as producing one-off artworks based on the exhibits in the museum, the artists have also produced souvenirs that will be available both at the gallery and in the museum gift shop.

The three artists who have been visiting the museum are Amelia Crouch from Bingley, Katch Skinner from Hebden Bridge and London-based Luke Drozd.

Based in Cliffe Castle Park, the museum includes unusual exhibits such as a two-headed calf, a working beehive, an Egyptian mummy and a ‘wife rocking’ cradle, allegedly designed for henpecked husbands.

The striking building was the home of Victorian millionaire and textile manufacturer Henry Isaac Butterfield. The surrounding park is currently receiving an extensive refurbishment with Heritage Lottery Fund money.

Pieces available to buy in the shop will include Butterfield themed egg cups, etchings and tea towels.

Yvonne Carmichael, curator at South Square, said: “We love Cliffe Castle and wanted to do a project with them.

“Not that many people seem to know about Cliffe Castle – it is one of the hidden gems of Bradford. If you haven’t been, you need to visit.

“It is an amazing place – it has everything in it. We wanted to add something to the gift shop, and the artists have taken inspiration and created items to go on sale there. The items will cost from £2 to £80, and are all limited editions.

“They will also be available in South Square, with larger, one-off items on display.”

The exhibition runs until June 30.

The artists’ work will be available to buy at a one-off event at Cliffe Castle on May 28, between 1pm and 4pm. The takeover by the UnCommons art group will feature musical, visual and spoken word artists. Visitors will have the option of a traditional or an ‘alternative’ tour around the bizarre exhibits.

Entry is free. Visit eventbrite.co.uk and search for ‘UnCommons Cliffe Castle’ for more details and to book tickets.

South Square is based within a Grade II listed building originally built as the courtyard of stonemasons’ cottages in 1832 in Thornton village.

Following a period of dereliction, Thornton and Allerton Community Association Ltd was formed in 1982 and pioneered the building’s extensive restoration, in partnership with Bradford Council and the Manpower Services Commission.