Arts charity Skippko have revived their Created in York pop-up gallery in the city centre, occupying a previously vacant shop unit that lay empty for almost a year.
Showcasing the work of local artists and makers, the new Skippko pop-up site opened on 22 High Petergate on Friday, which previously housed a handmade rugs store.
Skippko is an arts charity established around 30 years ago, who are committed to developing creative projects with communities across the North of England.
Their Blank Canvas programme uses empty buildings on a temporary basis for studio, community, and pop-up space.
They currently provide artists with studio spaces in York, Welburn, Harrogate, Northallerton, and Leeds.
Skippko’s Properties Coordinator, Phil Dodsworth, is one of the current exhibitors of the High Petergate site.
He’s a York artist who creates contemporary, original, and playful art with a twist of urban cool.
Phil is overjoyed to see the Created in York model revived, “firstly, I’m really grateful to York Conservation Trust for allowing us to use this lovely, historic building in the City Centre.
“The Trust does a brilliant job of maintaining and restoring many of York’s historic buildings, whilst supporting creative and community projects at the same time.
The High Petergate site is the third Trust property that Skippko has been granted, following previous pop-ups on Goodramgate and Gillygate.
“We really appreciate their continued support and special thanks to Guy Bowyer and Lizzie Taylor at the Trust, who have helped to make this happen,” Phil added.
Lizzie, Operations Manager at York Conservation Trust said, “we are so pleased to be working with Skippko again, and we welcome their Created in York gallery to High Petergate.
“York is a hive of creativity, and we are delighted to be able to support local artists and creatives in a small way by offering an opportunity for studio and exhibition space.”
YorkMix headed down to the new pop up on Friday to meet Phil Dodsworth and Ric Liptrot, a York illustrator, who had been busy setting up the pop-up.
Ric is a freelance illustrator and moved to York in 2010, where he’s found inspiration in the city’s architecture and independent businesses.
Himself and Phil will be running the store until after Christmas and are excited to be in such an idillic area, located just off the Minster.
Ric told YorkMix, “we’ve had loads of people looking in the window already. It’s a great window for the street, it’s great for artwork.
“So for artists to put their work in a big window space in a lovely location, it’s very lucky.”
Phil added, “it’s great for local people to be able to come in and buy original and unique artwork.
It’s great for the other retailers because it brings footfall to the streets and it’s better to have a unit up and running, having some creative activity going on inside rather than it standing empty.”
The opening exhibition features work from both Phil and Ric, who despite their artistic differences, believe it’s nice to collaborate and share the space.
The Created in York pop-up is open 10:30 am – 5:00 pm on Thursdays through to Saturdays, and 11:00 am – 4:00 pm on Sundays.
For more information on the store, head to the Created in York website.
