Why do we hold exhibitions?

Isn’t it enough to paint and draw, or hang canvases on our walls?

We can showcase the work of the Art Club and hopefully encourage others to see that ordinary people, students or those with pressurised work who need outlets for relaxation, can be creative.

Tony Pratt, the club’s exhibition secretary, was contacted in December by Kirsty Gastin, of Cliffe Castle, about the return of our annual art exhibition to the museum.

This was traditionally held jointly with Bingley Art Group.

We were delighted to be able to deal with Bingley’s new secretary, John Webb. I hastily wrote to all our members as we had closed for the holidays.

Those Keighley people who have not yet seen the newly refurbished museum can see both the building and the paintings from February 15 to March 15.

The display will be upstairs in the museum’s gallery. There is free entry to the museum and the exhibition.

At the same time, the new children’s playground can be seen. The cafe, greenhouse, animal spaces and various paths are to be reconstructed, starting next August.

The museum and playground will stay open, and the cafe will be in a temporary section of the grounds. Visit cliffecastlepark.org.uk for further information.

Our permanent Keighley exhibition spaces are due to be changed on February 22 – one in the Picture House and the other at the Civic Centre, both in North Street.

Keighley residents who would like to draw and paint can join us on Wednesday nights at Keighley Healthy Living from 6.45pm.

We don’t mind what standard you have reached, and you can ask questions.

We would love to attract new members. Exhibitions encourage the learning and acknowledgement of our members’ skills and talent.

Who knows who might drop in and be interested in our club or in joining?

Art can provide therapeutic benefits, or you can digitise your work and create your own greetings cards or T-shirts from your paintings.

Original artwork is available to buy. Thirty per cent of the proceeds are given to Cliffe Castle.

Call 01535 669914 for enquiries about joining us or Bingley Art Group.