AT Mulgrave Woods, Sandsend, Wilson + Wilson are staging their walking play, Mulgrave. In the woods of Ripley Castle, A Midsummer Night's Dream is frolicking each night. At Dalby Forest, Madness and Beautiful South will play in a woodland clearing this weekend.

You can't see the wood for the trees in the Yorkshire arts at present, and next week another show with a woodland theme will take root. The magic and the mystery of the forest will be brought to life in photographs, paintings, video, sculpture, installations and sound in Forest, a new exhibition at York Art Gallery from July 2 to September 4.

This touring show, from Wolverhampton Art Gallery, transfers the outdoors inside in works by artists influenced by their experiences of forests and woodland and the emotions evoked by them.

Forest investigates notions of the forest as life giver, as a symbol of national pride and as a place of refuge and isolation. The exhibition examines the relationship between human beings and the forest, exploring not only its beautiful and mystical atmosphere but also the ways we have used forests for our own purposes, including the damaging effects of de-forestation.

Visitors will take a scenic journey through the works including paintings by Brecht and photography from one of last year's Turner Prize nominees, Anya Gallaccio. Upon entering the Wax Dome, a depiction of a forest by Ken Parsons, they will become immersed by intricate light and colour to create a stained glass effect.

Exhibits range from Samantha Clark's enchanting Unconfirmed Sightings, inspired by the minute world of fairies, right, to grand-scale pieces such as Drift by Dalziel and Scullion.

York Art Gallery will run a programme of events alongside the exhibition, including Family First Saturdays - children's art activities on a forest theme - on July 2, August 6 and September 3 from 11am to 12.45pm and 2pm to 3.45pm. Gallery opening hours are 10am to 5pm daily; admission free.

Updated: 16:34 Thursday, June 23, 2005