SIR Gary Verity, chief executive of Welcome To Yorkshire, has attended the opening of the Kunsthuis Gallery's biggest exhibition yet, 100 Artists, 11 Countries.

On show and for sale at Dutch House, Mill Green Farm, Crayke, near Easingwold, are works by myriad artists from Britain, the Netherlands, Iran, Germany, Sweden, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Italy, Belgium and the United States.

More than 200 people were present last Friday when Sir Gary presented the Welcome To Yorkshire's Choice Award to his favourite piece, Steve Williams' Brighten, My Northern Sky. In his speech, the chief exec named a shortlist of artists that caught his eye but Williams' work was his biggest hit.

York Press:

Path Through The Forest II, by Janine Baldwin, winner of the Picture Framing Workshop Award

"I'm thrilled to have been asked to attend Kunsthuis Gallery's ambitious summer exhibition showcasing 100 artists from all over the world," said Sir Gary. "This passion and dedication to art consistently attracts people to Yorkshire and helps to firmly put the county on the map for arts and culture. It's fantastic to see and support."

Meanwhile, curators Cecile Creemers and Clare Nattress presented Swedish artist Nora Hammenberg with a cash prize of £250 for their Best In Show award for Memories Of New New Mexico II and Kate and Graham Durant, from the Picture Framing Workshop at Shipton by Beningbrough, awarded Janine Baldwin a voucher for their framing expertise for her charcoal work Path Through The Forest II.

York Press:

Brighten, My Northern Sky, by Steve Williams, winner of Welcome To Yorkshire's Choice Award

The 100 Artists, 11 Countries show "celebrates artists that demonstrate a fresh approach to painting, sculpture, jewellery, printmaking, ceramics, drawing, photography and textiles with a dynamic use of concepts, techniques and imagery".

"Our Royal Academy-inspired summer exhibition represents what's happening in the art world right now with the artists submitting one artwork each to make a 100-work show," says Cecile. "This show is about connecting the public with contemporary art that is taking both viewer and creator further out of their comfort zones.

York Press:

Memories Of New New Mexico II, by Nora Hammenberg, winner of the curators' Best In Show award

"The 100 pieces show a deep insight into the various expressions within the art world, spanning semi-abstract to conceptual work. Bringing this concept to the North of England reflects my passion for art, curation and the desire to share this with our audience.

"Kunsthuis Gallery's curatorial aims are to engage in innovative initiatives that foster new perspectives on modern and contemporary art. We feel that the shortlisted works promote our gallery's values. We want to celebrate excellence and originality within these mediums and artists who, we believe, sit in line with our gallery's ethos to be the contemporary abstract gallery of the north."

The 100 Artists, 11 Countries Summer Exhibition runs at Kunsthuis Gallery, Dutch House, Mill Green Farm, Crayke, near Easingwold, until August 20, open Wednesday to Sunday, 11am to 4pm.