BEDERN Hall, in York, is playing host to Art In The Hall, an exhibition of paintings by Granville Heptonstall, as part one of a series by York artists in support of the Bedern Hall Foundation.

"These events are designed to bring a new audience to Bedern Hall and to showcase a range of artists work using York’s cultural sites and landscapes as inspiration," says director Roger Lee, who is also a Freeman of the City. "We're very excited to welcome Granville Heptonstall, who has kindly shared his beautiful artwork to bring a cultural experience to the public.”

Bedern Hall is an historic meetings and events venue in Bartle Garth, where the Bedern Hall Foundation was launched on the 30th anniversary of the hall’s restoration in 2013 to raise funds to secure its next 30 years and beyond with a new vision for the hall that encompasses education, preservation and accessibility.

"Furthermore, it supports local artists in developing their creative CVs, while giving York St John University students the chance to involve themselves in curating an exhibition and supporting their education," says Roger.

“We have a loyal following for our events at Bedern Hall and hope that these new art events will attract both new audiences and existing supporters for the Bedern Hall Foundation. The events will be an excellent boost for the Foundation which will assist in our plans for the continuing improvement and development of the Hall.”

Granville Heptonstall's paintings will be on show until May 31, presenting works where he uses colour "in a poetic and not a descriptive way". "My recent work has concentrated on York Minster and The Howardian Hills," he says. "Though having little obvious connection, they are visible from each other and enable me to share my passion for architecture and English landscape. The Howardians, despite their latitude, are soft and rolling. Like the neighbouring Wolds they have a southern feel and yet from them one catches sight of the distant North York Moors.

"Two more different and distinct landscapes would be hard to find in such close proximity. The working methods are entirely different. The landscapes are done en plein air and are painted quickly with a limited palette. I find the constant change in both sky and thus light a real challenge and the entire view can change in fifteen minutes.

"The locations are almost all near Stearsby Hagg, from where the Minster is visible and Scackleton, about a mile and a half away, overlooking a hidden valley with Ampleforth Abbey in the distance to the north. The Minster’s scale is daunting."

All the work begins as a line drawing or series of line drawings. "I do not use photographs, rulers or other aids," says Granville. "Sometimes I scan the drawings to produce templates and sometimes use the iPad or Corel Paintbrush to develop and idea. The attempt to grasp the complexity of the building is something which should provide material for future work."

Looking forward to further exhibitions, Roger Lee concludes: "We have a loyal following for our events at Bedern Hall and hope that these new art events will attract both new audiences and existing supporters for the Bedern Hall Foundation. The events will be an excellent boost for the Foundation, which will assist in our plans for the continuing improvement and development of the hall."