MORE than 1,500 art lovers from around the country visited the Ilkley Art Show earlier this month.

With many art material bargains to be had and many art demonstrations to watch, there was plenty to keep the visitors occupied.

One of the most popular demonstrations throughout the two days, on August 14 and 15, was a Chinese painting demonstration by Anne Allan from Halifax.

The Art Exhibition attracted more than 300 pictures by nearly 50 artists from around the country. Awards were presented to artists for the first time this year.

The best picture prize from Winsor & Newton went to ‘Mossy Walls, Settle’ a watercolour by Jeni Rabjohns of Gigggleswick, The Daler Rowney prize for best artist went to Ilkley’s James Yates and best newcomer to Lesley Woodhouse from Skipton who won The Derwent Award.

A draw was made from amongst the voters and the lucky winner of an original Anita Wallis watercolour was Jude Hamon from Ilkley.

The Art Shop on Hawksworth Street in Ilkley organise the event and owner Tim Tennant was delighted with the support from artists, traders and visitors.

He said: "This is the 15th year we have held the Show and each year the support gets better and the quality of the exhibition reaches greater heights’.

Anyone wishing to participate in next year's show should contact The Art Shop.