AFTER taking part in the York Residents Festival for the first time last year, Kentmere House Gallery owner Ann Petherick was so pleased with the experiment that she will open her gallery again on January 26 and 27.

“The gallery is a little off the beaten track, at the foot of Scarcroft Hill, so there are many York residents who have not yet found it, and the Residents Festival is the ideal time to sample its atmosphere, and to bring friends,” says Ann.

“We’ve been open for more than 20 years but still find some residents – even those living quite nearby – saying that they’ve never visited before or even known about it.”

The gallery in Ann’s home will be open from 11am to 7pm on January 26 and 11am to 5pm on January 27.

On display at present is the Best In Show exhibition, a celebration of animals and birds in art, alongside paintings with an emphasis on York.

“Freya Horsley’s York townscapes have attracted many admirers and are complemented by John Brunsden’s etchings of the Minster, Nina Greenwood’s pastels of the houses and gardens in the Knavesmire area and Ann Kilvington’s delicate, small oils of unusual views of the Minster,” says Ann.

Some of the gallery’s regular artists who live nearby will be on hand to discuss their work, such as Rosie Dean, of South Bank, York, John Thornton, from Selby, and Susan Bower, from Tadcaster.

Entry to the gallery is free, but two special offers for residents apply for the weekend: firstly, a free home trial, whereby any painting bought can be returned for a full refund within 21 days and, secondly, a voucher for five per cent off another purchase before the end of March for each buyer.