Huge showcase of some of the district's most talented artists

‘Far from the Shire,’ devised by John Cockshaw, who comes to the exhibition fresh from The Great North Art Show at Ripon Cathedral, is a fantasy-themed collection which places JRR Tolkien’s hobbits at its centre.

Joining John in the show are fellow Ripon artists Jay Stelling and Guy Brady. Other highly-acclaimed artists and illustrators exhibiting include Tomas Hijo, Soni Alcorn-Hender and Jemima Caitlin, the official HarperCollins illustrator of The Hobbit in 2013, who joins the show with brand new artwork. The exhibition runs until October 15.

John Cockshaw said: “Collaboration is important to me, and the combined work of these varied artists creates a strong sense of story that is true to the original works of JRR Tolkien we are inspired by.

“We have brand new paintings for this show as well as print, photography, drawing and illustration- and not to mention custom-made dolls by Jay Stelling whose work has enjoyed an excellent showing at Newby Hall.

“Guy Brady is an up-and-coming artist whose work has enjoyed good feedback from The Tolkien Society. My own work has been exhibited widely and culminated in a recently published art book. Ripon’s art scene is at an exciting stage with lots going and it would be brilliant to see the momentum continue through visual arts and community projects.”