THE countdown to the long-awaited reopening of York Art Gallery has begun – as details of its new displays are revealed.

New commissions, old masters and more than 2,000 ceramic works will feature in the gallery and 11 full-time jobs will be created when it opens on Yorkshire Day, August 1, following an £8 million redevelopment.

The gallery’s collection of Italian Old Masters will be displayed alongside substantial new research in the Madsen Gallery – previously called the Main Gallery – and complemented by loans from major public collections.

An exhibition curated and created by York artist Mark Hearld will be shown in the Upper North Gallery and a major new commission from ceramicistist Clare Twomey will also go on display.

Works by David Hockney, Stanley Spencer, Paul Nash and LS Lowry will feature in the Burton Gallery.

The launch of the Centre of Ceramic Art (Coca) will showcase more than 2,000 works including a 17-metre long Wall of Pots and be displayed by colour to make a rainbow effect.

Jennifer Alexander, curator of art, said: “For the opening displays we wanted to show off the strength of our permanent collections, while combining this with significant loans and thought provoking commissions.

“The Lycett Green collection of Italian Old Masters is what truly sets York apart as a regional gallery and this new research will reveal some fascinating new findings about some of the works.

“This collection will be contrasted with modern and contemporary art from some of the most significant artists of the last 100 years, plus new work created by the well-known York artist Mark Hearld.

“The new mezzanine level and the Upper South Gallery will be home to Coca with thousands of ceramics on show alongside an exciting new installation by Clare Twomey.”

The transformation will see the gallery have 60 per cent more exhibition space, with a suite of three galleries on the ground floor able to house major touring exhibitions for the first time.

Two new spaces on the first floor will become the Centre of Ceramic Art and house the largest collection of British Studio Ceramics in the world.