The end of April sees the 10th anniversary of the Calder Gallery’s opening at Market Street, Hebden Bridge, and there are celebrations going on for the weekend of April 25 and 26.
Owners Sue Allinson and Phil Withersby started the business as they were looking for a new life together. After being a couple for six years they decided to open a gallery and coffee shop and looked intensively for the right location until arriving in Hebden.
It took seconds to realise that this was the place for them. Laughing, Phil recollects: “As we got out of the car we turned to each other and said ‘okay we’ve found it’ at the same moment!” They still believe it is the best place in which to have their gallery.
They soon realised that opening a coffee shop would be unwise because at the same time they renovated 20 Market Street, two other properties in the street were being renovated which would become eating establishments. It was lovely to feel a part of something new and exciting alongside other new ventures.
To celebrate, Sue and Phil are delighted to be holding their first-ever sale on all original paintings just for the celebratory weekend, as well as offering fizz and nibbles on the Saturday! Over the years they have featured many artists, including local artist Kate Boyce who was the very first artist to approach them and has been a constant source of beautiful paintings ever since. Some of Kate’s paintings feature in the mixed exhibition in the lower room, whilst there will also be a solo exhibition of Phil’s own original oil paintings of local moorland landscapes as well as his very popular etchings.