Keighley gallery is a hive of activity this summer

Free drop-in art and craft workshops for families are being staged on Wednesdays throughout this month at Keighley Creative, in Hanover Street.

And a new exhibition, in which artists and creatives can display their work straightaway, is being held at the former Sunwin House building.

The Wednesday workshops, which run from 10.30am to 3.30pm, follow on from successful sessions held by the arts charity in Keighley Market and the Airedale Shopping Centre last month.

Gemma Hobbs, the charity's creative director, says: "We wanted to make sure families still had lots of creative activities going on over the summer. Not every child gets to go on a big holiday, so workshops like these can be a highlight.

"It’s a chance to get to know local artists and make something fantastic to take home, and for families to tell us what they want to see happening in the future. Keighley is a very creative town, and local families really show support when we put on activities like this."

The main activities are suitable for youngsters aged six-plus – and there is a play area with toys, colouring and doodling for younger children.

All children must be accompanied by an adult.

The exhibition, Make Your Mark, enables artists to submit one piece of work for display at the gallery this summer.

And the initiative got off to a flying start.

Gemma said: "On the first day we had over 20 local artists, crafters and makers bring us work to exhibit – and I was blown away with the quality and variety. I’ve always known how creative Keighley is, and this absolutely proves it!

"The exhibition already features sound art, giant paper sculptures, drawings, short films, paintings, knitting from recycled materials, character art, textile work and mixed-media pieces. And the artists have been so supportive of each other."

People wanting to show a piece of work can drop it off at the gallery throughout August during opening hours – Wednesdays and Fridays, 10.30am to 3.30pm.

Artist, curator and Keighley Creative studio holder Jane Fielder is present on Fridays to talk to visitors about the exhibition and help display new work.

An end-of-show celebration – open to everyone – will take place on Friday, September 2, between 2.30pm and 4.30pm.

Funding for Keighley Creative's summer programme was provided by the Sir George Martin Trust.