York artists Ben Arnup, Romey Brough, Gill Douglas, Pamela Knight and Giuliana Lazzerini head up the Christmas Collection at Pyramid Gallery, Stonegate, York, from Thursday (Dec 3).

Gallery owner Terry Brett is confident the mix of British artists, jewellers and craftsmen in this annual festive show will provide a visual feast of colour, form and texture, complemented by humour “without compromising the high quality that is vital to every Pyramid exhibition”.

“At this time of year I like to see customers smiling when they leave the exhibition room upstairs,” says Terry. “It makes the job more rewarding if everyone can enjoy the experience and leave the shop with a happy face. It’s also our busiest time of year for sales, so we tend to fill the space with a great variety of work, both serious and light hearted.”

Recession blues-busting humour has been the theme for this season at Pyramid, starting with the November exhibition under the heading of Smile and continuing with the Pyramid charity night on November 11 at the Hospitium in Museum Gardens. Both events featured York poet, musician and artist Rory Motion and raised more than £200 for St. Leonard’s Hospice.

The Christmas Collection will feature several artists from Smile, including humorous figures and sculptures by Jane Muir, Paul Smith, Jeff Soan and Helen Martino, plus 50 designer jewellers from all over Britain.

The opening night will coincide with York’s late-night shopping on Thursday, from 6pm to 8.30pm. The show will run until January 20; opening hours are 10am to 5.30pm, Monday to Saturday; 11am to 4.30pm on Sundays; .and the gallery will stay open until 8.30pm on December 10 and 17.