PYRAMID Gallery, in Stonegate, York, is starting a special anniversary year with exhibitions by Kate Pettitt and John and Jude Jelfs that open today with a launch between 11am and 2.30pm.

York artist Kate will be present at the opening as gallery owner Terry Brett begins his celebrations of his 25th year in the business.

Kate's new paintings will be shown alongside the work of a potter who first showed his work at Pyramid in the summer of 1994, very soon after Terry and his partner Elaine took over the premises.

"John Jelfs, of Cotswold Pottery, has had a continuous presence in Pyramid Gallery since that first occasion," says Terry. "With his wife Jude, he runs a traditional pottery in Bourton on the Water, Gloucestershire, making stoneware and earthenware jugs, mugs, vases, bowls and plates that are sometimes decorated and glazed using locally sourced materials. His pots are as pleasing to the hand and eye as any that I have ever handled."

Latterly, John has taken on a new role, as supplier of ash-glazed bowls and mugs to the designer cutlery maker David Mellor of Sheffield. "This is high-profile contract that confirms his status as one of the leading craft potters of his generation," says Terry.

Painter and sculptor Jude Jelfs makes ceramic forms and jugs that reflect her passion for drawing the human figure. This winter's show has a collection of 18 jugs by Jude.

York Press:

Light Over Littondale, by Kate Pettitt

In tandem, Kate Pettitt's landscapes, seascapes and life drawings will decorate the Pyramid walls. "The strong colours of Kate's landscape oil paintings will compliment the pottery forms, creating a sumptuous and very earthy space, while her figurative work will create dialogue between the two exhibitions," says Terry.

Kate trained in graphic design and illustration and has worked as a designer for more than 20 years.

"Her paintings and drawings explore the natural environment and the human form and are often elemental and textural," says Terry. "Inspired by movement, shifting light and changing weather conditions, she aims to capture the character and uniqueness of people and place.

"Kate works mostly in oil, acrylic, graphite and watercolour. When the weather allows - and sometimes when it doesn't - she works outside in the elements to create sketches and works on paper.

"These are direct and instinctive responses to the environment and have a loose and immediate quality to them. Kate uses these, along with scrapbooks and found objects, as references and to trigger memories and emotions when back in the studio at the easel."

The exhibition will run from today to February 10, open 10am to 5pm, Monday to Saturday, and 12.30pm to 4.30pm on most Sundays.