Category: Old School News

The Gallery Slideshow

Published on by Richard

The Old School Muker presents four and a half minutes of work from our fabulous artists, whose work represents the stunning landscapes that surround our gallery in wonderful Upper Swaledale.

The slideshow represents just a small selection of the work showcased in our gallery. For more information or to see more work by an artist please contact us at ask@theoldschoolmuker.co.uk

Paul Talbot-Greaves in Swaledale

Published on by Richard

We have great pleasure welcoming the wonderful watercolours of Yorkshire artist Paul Talbot-Greaves into The Old School Muker gallery. Please watch the slideshow (expand for full screen) and scroll down to see more details of the work.

Paul has painted a series of watercolours inspired by Upper-Swaledale, from East Stonesdale to Thwaite, from Smithy Holme to Muker, the work perfectly captures the mood and feel of the stunning landscape that surrounds our gallery in Muker.

These original watercolours are exclusive to The Old School Muker and when it’s safe to re-open our doors you’ll be able to view Paul’s work in our gallery. In the meantime if you’re interested in owning one of Paul’s superb paintings as a memento of our beautiful dale, please contact us on 01748 886155 or email ask@theoldschoolmuker.co.uk to find out more.

In Pauls words:

“My work reflects the rugged scenery of the landscape, either in the context of wild places or in the nature of the Pennine hills, where I live. I draw my inspiration from historical connections using layers of colour, texture, shapes and patterns applied with energy and feeling. My main inspiration is light and the effects created by the contrasts of shadows.”

Old School Vouchers

Published on by Richard

Just the ticket if you need a gift for someone who loves art, crafts & Swaledale when you can’t make it up the dale, but still want to support small businesses.

Just call us – 01748 886155 – and we can pop it in the postbox

Richard & Polly

The Old School Art Cafe Garden

Published on by Richard

Our relaxed, self-service café offers delicious cake and coffee, and with its private, walled garden provides a place to unwind and soak up the views of Kisdon, Buttertubs and the surrounding fells, in the company of sculptures by Michael Kusz and Adrian Wood.

… and it’s a place where we might have the odd gathering or two.

The Old School Muker Gallery

Published on by Richard

The Art Gallery showcases some of the regions best artists and print makers, with a wonderfully diverse mix of styles and mediums, but all somehow reflecting our stunning surroundings in Upper Swaledale.

Artists and print makers currently represented include: Jill Ray, Rebecca Vincent, Jacquie Denby, Morna Rhys, Hester Cox, Glenys Garnett, Janis Goodman, Rachel McNaughton, John Harrison and Peter Brook, not forgetting the photographs of gallery owner Richard Walls.

The gallery also houses wonderful ceramics, sculptures and glassware, from makers such as Thomas Petit, Lisa Katzenstein, Stef Ottevanger, Robin Fox and Alistair Brookes.

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Featured Artist, Sarah Du Feu

Published on by Richard

At the Old School Muker we have lots of “wow” moments as we open up boxes and unwrap pictures, but when Yorkshire based artist Sarah Du Feu delivered her screen prints it was a double WOW! Stunningly conceived and executed, and set in beautifully made bespoke solid-oak frames, these prints are true centrepieces to any home or office space. I couldn’t resist photographing them before they were hung on the wall!

Continue reading “Featured Artist, Sarah Du Feu” →

The Beamish Reliability Trial 2019

Published on by Richard

Every year the Beamish Reliability winds its way through Muker, before the test of Buttertubs, then make a return to the village a few hours later via Oxnop. This year I waited in the drizzle and was rewarded by the sight and sound of some wonderful classic cars and motorcycles, with the dramatic backdrop of Upper Swaledale. As ever I had the camera and so some photos follow. Click through the galleries for bigger pictures.

Continue reading “The Beamish Reliability Trial 2019” →

The Old School Welcomes, the hand painted vases of Lisa Katzenstein

Published on by Richard

The Old School Muker welcomes the work of Lisa Katzenstein to the gallery. Lisa’s wonderful, hand-painted vases add a splash of colour, just in time for Spring.

Lisa Katzenstein | The Old School Muker
Lisa Katzenstein | The Old School Muker

We don’t show all the work we have in the gallery on the website, so why not find an excuse to make a trip to Muker to see it first hand, surrounded by the stunning landscape of Upper Swaledale. If you can’t find an excuse, but would like to find out more about Lisa’s work, please contact us at ask@theoldschoolmuker.co.uk.

Fused Glass Workshop, With Judith Gill

Published on by Richard

On Saturday 25th May join Judith Gill at The Old School Muker for a fun creative afternoon of Fused Glass. Judith’s workshop will focus on the wildflowers found in the Muker Meadows, you’ll be crafting a floral wall hanging/sun catcher lead by expert tuition.

Event Details

  • Date: Saturday 25th May
  • Time: 1-4pm
  • Location: The Old School Muker
  • Price: £55

For more information please contact Pauline at ask@theoldschoolmuker.co.uk or on 01748 886155

The Old School Muker welcomes, the watercolours of Rachel McNaughton

Published on by Richard

New for 2019 The Old School Muker is pleased to showcase the work of Rachel McNaughton. 

In Rachel’s words … “Painting is a way into an inner world, a secret garden of colour and shape, and what stared as a hobby become an essential part of life. I work from life, or from my own photographs but both are merely a starting point and many paintings are created from a combination of various images. Watercolour presents the artist with many unexpected “ accidents” and often shapes that appear in initial washes become suggested flowers and so a painting often chooses its own path to completion.”

A regular visitor to Upper Swaledale, Rachel’s vibrant watercolours capture the brighter, more colourful side of Dale, when the sun shines and the meadows are in bloom.  

To learn more about Rachel’s work please contact The Old School Muker at ask@theoldschoolmuker.co.uk.

The Old School Muker welcomes the work of Jacquie Denby

Published on by Richard

The Old School Muker is pleased to showcase the work of renowned Grassington artist Jacquie Denby.

Born in the Dales village of Buckden, Jacquie grew up in the Yorkshire Dales, studying at the Harrogate School of Art and at Jacob Kramer College in Leeds. Jacquie now lives and paints in Grassington, capturing the landscapes in which she lives in her unique , semi-abstract style.

Jacquie’s paintings are inspired by the work of the St. Ives artists and the Scottish Colourists.  Starting with a a theme or subject in mind they develop as she paints, until, in Jacquie’s words, “The subject matter is very much of secondary importance: The main thing is the work, what it looks like., was it worth doing? Hopefully, yes!”

We have a range of Jacquie’s originals and prints at The Old School Muker. If you’re interested and inspired by Jacquie’s work, please contact us at ask@theoldschoolmuker.co.uk.

Featured Artist, Shona Branigan

Published on by Richard

April kicks off our Featured Artist series with the relief wood prints of Shona Branigan.

Shona prints directly from the wood, producing wonderful works of art that reveal the nature, texture and history of the tree from which they are produced.

Shona’s workshop on April 14th is now sold out, but she will be at the Old School on Sunday 21st April to share her love of trees and nature, and to demonstrate relief printing techniques.

Print Making At The Old School Muker

Published on by Richard

Over the course of 2019 The Old School Muker will focus on the rich and fascinating subject of print making, showcasing the work of some of the best print makers from The North of England and the UK.

Work will be on permanent display throughout the year and each month, from April to October, we will feature a specific artist allowing a wider range of work to be exhibited and a deeper appreciation and understanding of the particular techniques they use. 

Though styles, subject matter and techniques may differ, all our print makers share one thing in common; a love for the rugged landscape, flora and fauna that’s synonymous with our surroundings, and that makes Muker, and Upper Swaledale, such a magical place. We hope you’ll like their work as much as we do. 

Print Makers currently featured at the Old School Muker include: Piers Browne, Hester Cox, Carol Nunan, Rebecca Vincent, Morna Rhys, Janis Goodman, Anne Mason, Denise Burdon, Laura Boswell, Shona Brannigan and Sarah De Feu.

For more information please contact us at ask@theoldschoolmuker.co.uk.