BEVERLEY- Beverley Art Gallery, located within the historic Champney Treasure House, has reopened to the public in 2025 with a renewed vision and an ambitious curatorial direction. Following a transformative redevelopment—the first major redisplay in over a decade—the gallery is once again at the forefront of East Yorkshire’s cultural life.
This year marks a new chapter. The refreshed space showcases not only beloved works from the gallery’s core collection, but also new acquisitions, rarely seen pieces, and carefully selected loans. For long-time visitors and first-time guests alike, there is a distinct sense that Beverley Art Gallery is now more dynamic, more thoughtful, and more confident in its identity.
The most immediate visual change is the new wall colour in the Edwardian gallery—a deep, elegant blue chosen to bring out details in the celebrated Elwell collection. The works of Fred and Mary Elwell, long central to the gallery’s holdings, are now shown in a carefully curated context alongside modern and contemporary works. The new display includes loans from Elwell expert Wendy Loncaster, adding fresh insight to familiar subjects.
Several new acquisitions now hang for the first time, including a previously unknown painting by Mary Dawson Elwell, depicting her husband Fred in his Beverley studio. Other highlights include a 1960s abstract by local artist Margaret Parker, gifted before the gallery’s temporary closure, and a compelling still life by Gerald Harding, donated by none other than international artist David Remfry RA. The gallery has also secured a long-term loan from Remfry himself—Two Girls on the Shore, an early figurative work set on Spurn Point.
Visitors can explore the new collection with the help of state-of-the-art touchscreen displays, including newly commissioned short films about the gallery’s history and artworks. These were made possible through funding from Arts Council England and delivered in partnership with the Humber Museums Partnership.
Hannah Willetts, appointed as the new curator in late 2024, has brought a clear sense of direction. Her previous work in Scottish museums and collections management has informed a methodical and inclusive approach to display, with a strong focus on local context and accessibility. Speaking at the reopening, Willetts said: “Our new display showcases not only our treasured collection but also the artistic talent of our region and beyond.’’
The new exhibition programme began with Phil White: Waves of Colour, a vibrant, multisensory exploration of the Yorkshire coast by the artist, broadcaster and theatre designer. The exhibition brought together painting, sculpture and sound to evoke both the natural drama and nostalgic charm of East Yorkshire’s seaside culture. It marked the first time that the full breadth of White’s creative career had been displayed together.
Now showing through 21 June is David Remfry RA: A Homecoming, a major retrospective of the Beverley-born Royal Academician. Spanning his long career from Yorkshire to New York and back, the show includes watercolours, graphite works, oils, and personal pieces. Visitors can see portraits of notable figures—including Alan Cumming, whose 2000 watercolour has received renewed attention following the actor’s recent BAFTA appearance—as well as depictions of dancers, urban interiors, and intimate moments. A recent Curator’s Tour by Dr Gerardine Mulcahy-Parker offered visitors deeper insight into the artist’s life and creative evolution.
The exhibition has also been the focus of activity from regional art groups, including a visit from the Art History Club led by Jill Howitt of The Critical Fish, alongside curator Hannah Willetts. These discussions are part of a growing effort to connect the gallery with wider conversations in contemporary art and local identity.
With free admission and no need to book, Beverley Art Gallery is open Monday to Friday, 9:30am–4:45pm, and Saturdays, 9:00am–3:45pm. For those who have not visited recently—or ever—the message is clear: now is the time.
For more information about current and upcoming exhibitions, visit:
www.eastridingmuseums.co.uk
And for updates on the wider redevelopment of the Champney Treasure House:
www.eastridingculture.co.uk