A fab small gallery. One of many hidden gems when visiting Harrogate.

I was privileged this weekend to be in Harrogate to catch and take in The Annual Open Event at The Mercer Gallery and, as usual, this well thought out and beautifully curated show came up trumps, in my far from humble opinion. I. S. Massie's "Whitby" was nice if a tad overpriced, thought I; but Sarah Whitton's magnificent "Ambassador's Curtain" at five grand had gained a red sticker. And though Neil Bolton had the first prize, and was also sold at £1050, the cheapest of his three oils, I'm afraid none of them did it for me. What did I like? Well, first of all, Ruth Fitton's almost classical "Whisper in My Ear" ... and then "Teatime at Betty's", a charming small Oil & Wax effort (slightly naive and in a silly frame) by Julie Cross took my fancy ... along with other exhibits like the "Straiths" oil, D. Allen's "Oak Study" and the two "Arles Market" & "Cafe Tabac" mixed media renditions and further, perhaps, a spattering of the rest. The main joy, though, was in the fun and yet fairly serious setting of such a gripping indictment to the effort of not only those involved in the administration and aesthetic side of all such undertakings but also the bounteous inherent talent in such a crowd of participants ... and the ever increasing attention duly given and received year after year in this modestly wonderful art gallery.