The Ripon Art Festival exhibition has opened, run in conjunction with the Ripon International Music Festival.

Piers Browne, Emerson Mayes, Tim Slatter, Austin Ruddy and Tom Wanless are among the 30 Yorkshire professional artists on show in the Ripon Cathedral nave until September 20. Opening hours are 10am to 4.30pm, and admission is free.

Launched last year, the festival aims to promote the understanding and appreciation of contemporary art in Yorkshire by holding an annual show.

Festival chairman John Lowry says: "Our flagship event is the cathedral exhibition. This is an important social and cultural event in Yorkshire's calendar, which attracted more than 12,000 visitors last year.

"There was such a positive and encouraging response both to the quality of the work shown and to its professional presentation that we just had to make it an annual event. This year it will be even bigger and better than last."

The Ripon Art Festival is a non profit-making organisation, and proceeds from painting sales will go to the Ripon Cathedral Development Campaign's fund for roof repairs and the Paintings In Hospitals (North) charity.

Abstract Select, of Leeds, will present monetary prizes for the best painting and the best body of work in the exhibition.

Updated: 14:58 Friday, September 05, 2003