Keighley gallery is going global with its latest exhibition

The Drawing Dialogue 3 display at Keighley Creative Gallery will feature work by 36 international artists.

Bosses at the volunteer-run centre ­– in Hanover Street – said they were delighted to be hosting the event, which opens on Thursday (June 10) and runs until July 1.

The Drawing Dialogue project began in 2015, when Romania-born artist and curator Gabriela Boiangiu had the idea of creating an open call for artists interested in using drawing as a way of producing work together.

Chapter one of the venture featured 18 artists from ten countries, who all worked with each other’s drawings.

Work from the third instalment of the project is spotlighted in the new exhibition.

"This is our first Drawing Dialogue exhibition in three years and we’re so excited to finally display the amazing collaborative work of these artists," said Gabriela.

"It can be challenging receiving an image created by another artist and responding to it in an inclusive and creative way, but it pushes you as an artist to try new things and think about the language of drawing.

"This drawing exchange is a dialogue using visual communication rather than words. We all use an A2-sized surface and negotiate the space and forms as well as new themes using this experimental approach. The work that comes from this process is very exciting."

Keighley Creative Gallery launched its summer programme last month.

"It has been a joy to open the doors again and welcome people in!" said gallery volunteer and creative lead, Gemma Hobbs.

"It's so good to see the smiles on people's faces and read the lovely comments they leave.

"Gabriela is one of our studio holders at Keighley Creative and when she described Drawing Dialogue to me, I couldn’t wait to exhibit it so we could share this with the town!

"This will be our second exhibition back in action and the Drawing Dialogue project feels more timely than ever now.

"Coming from a desire to collaborate, make connections and produce collective artwork, I have no doubt this project will flourish and grow as we come out of lockdown situations all around the world.

"This is also our first exhibition to represent international artists and that feels very special – bringing the world to us when we can’t go out and explore as easily.

"Drawing is the fundamental building block of creativity and it means a great deal to us here at Keighley Creative!"

The gallery is open between 11am and 3pm Mondays and Thursdays and from 10am to 4pm on Saturdays.

There is a private view of the exhibition on Saturday, June 26, between 6pm and 8pm, with drinks and snacks if regulations allow.

And earlier that day, from 2pm to 4pm, there is an online drawing symposium. Limited places are available to attend in person – email drawingdialogueproject@gmail.com – or to book a free ticket for the online event visit eventbrite.co.uk/e/drawing-dialogue-symposium-tickets-156296602345.

Gemma pays tribute to the gallery volunteers for their efforts and says there are exciting times ahead.

She said: "The gallery is led by a small team of volunteers which helps with everything from cleaning the space, building props and plinths and curating exhibitions to talking to visitors.

"We were lucky enough to get Arts Council funding to build the gallery before the pandemic hit, but it’s a different world now.

"Without our volunteers and their diverse skills and generosity, we wouldn’t be here.

"People think galleries are all about the work on show, but they aren’t really – they are all about people!

"Art doesn’t just happen, it’s made by people like us! And then we interpret it, we are inspired by it – it starts a conversation between us.

"In the long run I want us to expand out into the town. I hope we can put on regular workshops in the shopping centre and that we can use the gallery as a performance space – and I want to take the gallery on tour through the winter when it gets too cold to work here!

"We want to promote the work of local, creative people and shine a light on our town, the district and beyond!"