The Leeds Library launches new exhibition programme showcasing artists from Yorkshire and the North

Art at No.15 opens on 1 October, bringing contemporary art into the library’s new city-centre extension

The Leeds Library is launching Art at No.15, a new programme of contemporary art exhibitions showcasing artists from Yorkshire and the North.

The inaugural exhibition opens on 1 October in No.15, the library’s recently opened extension to its Grade II* listed building on Commercial Street, and brings together the work of 22 artists working across a range of styles and disciplines.

The exhibition features landscapes, portraiture, stained glass and cityscapes, offering visitors an opportunity to discover a diverse selection of contemporary work in one of Leeds’ most historic cultural spaces.

The participating artists are: Alice Croft, Alison Vallance Barratt, Annie Cunniffe, Brian Fish, Cathy Warburton, Catherine Aldred, David Honeybone, Jacky Rough, Jane Mobach, Jelena Havelka, Jo Dunn, Joe Hennessey, Karen Gouly, Lydia Rain, Nick Claiden, Nick Low, Patrick Ford, Penny Cook, Sarah Rogers Whitton, Simon Roy, Tony Driver and Wendy Callaghan.

Art at No.15 has been established to support artists from Yorkshire and the North, creating a regular programme of exhibitions alongside opportunities for events, creative collaborations, learning and engagement.

Simon Roy, one of the exhibiting artists, said:

“I’m delighted to be part of this first collaboration between Art at No.15 and The Leeds Library. As an artist, it is a real privilege to have my work presented within such a remarkable and historic building. I’m very much looking forward to developing this relationship and to being associated with this fantastic institution, its rich heritage and the vibrant cultural life of Leeds.”

Nina Corey, CEO of the Leeds Library, said:

“Art has a natural place at the Leeds Library. We have always been a place where people come together to discover ideas, encounter new perspectives and share in creative life, and Art at No.15 gives us another way to do that.

“Our new exhibition space allows us to bring the work of artists from Yorkshire and the North into the Library, while giving visitors another reason to explore the library. We’re looking forward to seeing how the programme develops and to welcoming both existing members and new audiences.”

The exhibition will be free to visit and runs from 1 October to 1 January.

Art at No.15 is part of The Leeds Library’s wider programme of cultural activity, which includes talks, performances, workshops, literary events and exhibitions. The programme reflects the Library’s ambition to open its historic spaces and collections to as many people as possible and to play an active role in the cultural life of Leeds.