News
09/03/2009 - Farm couple set up online gallery: York Press
A MAJOR new gallery and sales outlet for self-taught artists is being created with an innovative diversification by a Yorkshire farming couple.
Andrew and Angela Kay, who farm 100 acres at Colton, near Tadcaster, have secured backing from the Yorkshire Agricultural Society to launch an online gallery and store to help self-taught and recreational artists exhibit and sell their work.
The couple, who have a suckler herd of 45 cows and supply Hereford beef to Waitrose supermarkets, gained £5,000 set-up funding from the Yorkshire Agricultural Society’s “growing routes” fund, backed by Yorkshire Forward and aimed at helping young people in agriculture to diversify.
A wide range of artworks, from the traditional to modern and decorative to wearable, will be exhibited at Cowbyre Artworks (www.cowbyreartworks.co.uk) and sold at a commission through the online store.
Apart from running the family farm, Andrew, 37, is a self-taught artist. His wife, Angela, has worked in marketing and business development for bodies including a national hotels group and the National Federation Of Builders.
Andrew said: “Although I did not take formal examinations in art, I’ve always loved drawing and painting, mostly horses and animals and abstract works, and started being approached to do commissions. I’ve always realised that, although there are lots of talented amateur artists, most are motivated by love of what they do and, although their work is good enough to sell, they do not always know how to go about it as it is hard to get the right help.”
The couple also plan a series of formal, self-taught art exhibitions, Art At The Mart, the first of which will be at York Livestock Centre, at Murton, on May 16.