TWO historic art clubs are uniting for their latest exhibition at Cliffe Castle Museum in Keighley.

Keighley Art Club and Bingley Art Society has held joint exhibitions for many years at the popular venue.

This time members have come together to exhibit art in a variety of media in the upstairs gallery.

The exhibition began at the beginning of this month and will run until April 21.

Keighley Art Club spokesman Barbara Klempka said: “Keighley Art Club is over 100 years old and the two groups have shared this event for many years.

The Keighley club’s treasurers’ reports show income from it back to the 1970s.

”At that time the Keighley club had over 60 members which reduced to 10, and has now increased to 23 people of all levels who enjoy its varied weekly programme.”

This year’s exhibition has no set theme, with subjects ranging from flowers, animals and chinaware to Bradford City Hall, the Damart mill building in Bingley and Cliffe Castle Park’s new café area.

The exhibition features 104 paintings, which is a record number of entries.

The official opening this month was attended by the deputy Keighley town mayor Cllr Peter Corkindale.

Barbara said Cllr Corkindale was surprised and very impressed with all 104 paintings.

She added: “Peter was very friendly and chatted to artists and visitors. He was gratified at the high standard all that by local people in a local building, and urged visitors to see the paintings which were already beginning to sell.”

The clubs meet at Keighley Healthy Living (call 01535 669914 for information) or in Bingley at Cardigan House (call 01535 663550).

A council spokesman said the works on display varied in medium and style, allowing the viewer a glimpse into the way that the clubs encourage and help to develop the skills of the individual members.

Due to the historic nature of Cliffe Castle the balcony display area can only be accessed by stairs, so a brochure will be provided with images of the works on display on the ground floor in the Breakfast Room.

A selection of the artworks are available to buy.