I FEEL very sad about leaving the gallery behind, but I’m looking forward to pursuing Artfulness in a different direction next year.

Most excitingly, I have found a new, young and fresh artist, Estee, who is waiting in the wings ready to take over a new lease from February next year and keep the premises as a gallery and café.

She has been coming in to help out in recent weeks to get a feel for the place. She hopes to keep a “similar vibe” going, but will be changing the name and putting her own stamp on the premises.

This is brilliant news for me and many other local artists who will be able to continue to exhibit their art work there. A big challenge lies ahead for Estee, but I’m sure everyone will be more than supportive. More details on this soon; visit info@artfulness.co.uk Chalky The Yorkie’s fabulous group, the York Artisans, is battling on after a successful stretch at the Pine And Oak Interiors warehouse on Piccadilly, where they were finally pushed out by too many bedsteads and dining room tables.

The last time I saw Chalky, he was into the idea of taking over the Barbican Centre – his ambitions remain high. However, for now, he is settling for the more grounded plan of having a second exhibition at Space 109 on Walmgate, from November 27 to 30, with the opening night running from 7pm.

For all the eccentricities that the members of this group have between them, (a meeting with them is like being at a mad hatter’s tea party), I do fully support what they are doing. They just want to show people their art and have a good time doing it.

It’s easy to criticise someone like Chalky, with his erratic organisational skills and “alien” text messages, but unlike many, he is actually doing something to give artists opportunities they wouldn’t otherwise have. Please support the Artisans at their next opening.

For those of you seeking something completely out of the ordinary, York Avant Garde is holding another purely conceptual art exhibition at Fulford Cemetery Chapel on November 14, from 1pm to 4pm, and November 15, 11am to 4pm.

Entitled What Happens To The Soul Of Dead Roses?, it will include intricate sculptures by new artist Tasha Wild, who uses, among other things, real dead birds. This issue has caused some controversy between organiser Graeme Martin and vegetarian text-based artist Dexter, who is uncomfortable with the idea of animals being exploited in art. Let’s hope they all sort out their artistic differences in time.

Enjoy York’s autumn arty delights and I’ll be back shortly for a winter update.