Also, a couple of welded steel sculptures have recently been sited in the grounds of the campus by Tom Taylor - one of our permanent gallery artists.

Regards

Minster Fine Art, owned by art dealers Dee Bray-Calvert and David Durham, has gained a strong national reputation, and following, for representing in the North, the best of established and emerging British and International contemporary and modern artists, since 2000.

As arts professionals, the couple’s original remit was to bring to York and the North changing well-curated monthly exhibitions of original investment quality works by artists not seen before in the North - especially St. Ives and London names. As well as supporting local and regional names.

The gallery has remained true to this remit and does not sell so-called giclee ‘limited edition prints’ (BIG RIPOFFFF) trinkets, gifts, cards or any tourist junk.

The gallery was one of the first in York to be awarded ArtLOan (OwnArt), and has worked in collaboration with York Art Gallery, York Theatre Royal, NAtional Trust and other public and corporate institutions in the city.

Recent sell-out solo shows have included:

Sandra Blow RA and David Hockney RA (original paintings, etchings, drawings and screenprints;

Tim Morrison ARCA (paintings)

John Piper (drawings and artist prints);

Kane Cunningham (paintings and etchings)

Perhaps if Kirran and Amy had not done the ‘retail thing’ of looking for art on the high-street, and had instead explored a little more, then their experience of the ‘art scene’ in York (at this gallery at least) would not have been so disappointing.

Unfortunately, Kirran and Amy will not be able to visit the gallery now as it is closed for the winter. The owners will continue to trade online however and will be holding selling exhibitions in prestige venues in and around York in 2007.

BREAKING NEWS: The couple are to expand their business into the South of England, by showcasing their portfolio of artists in the acclaimed art mecca for buyers and collectors - St. Ives, Cornwall.

Porthminster Gallery - a well-established venue for works by major St. Ives artists such as Barbara Hepworth, Ben Nicholson and Terry Frost - looks-out over Porthminster Beach and the picturesque fishing village which is famous for its Tate Gallery and the influential colony of modern artists.

“This exciting venture has been in the planning for over three years,” said Dee Bray-Calvert, “and we look forward to taking our most prestigious artists to a new discerning audience.”

David Durham added, “We have worked hard to bring St. Ives and
south-west artists to a Northern audience during the past six years.
Now, we will be able to represent our strong portfolio of Northern
artists to St. Ives and the South.

“Whilst our house gallery venue alongside York Minster has now closed, Minster Fine Art”, he went on, “will continue to show important contemporary living artists, through an exciting programme of selling shows at various prestige venues in York and the North.”
He added, “Our commitment to bring investment quality original art to our customers and collectors in the North will remain as strong as ever - watch this space!”

Regards

David Durham