Stephenson’s Gallery is set to open next week – with an exhibition that brings together Northern and Eastern European art.
The new gallery will open on Monday 14 April at 6 Clifford Street with its inaugural exhibition Beginnings: A Convergence of Northern and Eastern European Art, which will run until Sunday 18 May.
The business is owned by husband-and-wife duo Mark and Louise Stephenson. YorkMix spoke with Mark to find out more about the opening.
Mark and Louise founded their first gallery, EE Fine Art in Cambridge in 2007, initially specialising in Eastern European art.
In 2024, the business rebranded as Stephenson’s Gallery and relocated to York, expanding their focus to include the “captivating world of Northern art”. Now, it’s ready to open its doors.
“People can expect a wide mixture of different types of work at Stephenson’s Gallery,” said Mark.
“We’ll have a mixture of figurative work, abstract work, surrealism and also specific themes like Northern art and industrial art.”
Future exhibitions have already been announced, with includes focuses on landscapes, cityscapes, and seascapes.
“It’s priced so it’s affordable to everybody – it’s not just purely expensive works.”
The works available currently range from £225 to up to £15,000. The opening exhibition will feature artists such as David Coulter, Lena Kurovska, Adrian Paiu, Roxana Donisanu, Karen Thompson, Reg Gardner, and Eugene Ivanov.
Ahead of the opening on Monday, Mark said that he’s “excited. A bit nervous, because you don’t know how people will react.
“So far we’ve gotten a good response on Facebook, especially because what we’ve been doing is posting the artwork on our socials – everybody’s been positive in regards to that.”
The gallery is still going through planning permission in regards to changing the signage above the windows from Wards the Florist, a popular business that traded in York for 114 years, to a new sign will read ‘Stephenson’s Gallery’ in 3D brass letters.
The proposal includes removing the old signage, repairing the fixing holes, cleaning and re-painting the casing, and installing new signage. A decision is expected to be reached by the end of May.
The building at 6 Clifford Street, has been empty since last August, after the previous business, Angela Bare, relocated.
The fashion shop was based there for seven years, but owner Angela decided to return to Bridlington where she founded the business in 2012.
Stephenson’s Gallery will operate over two floors, with the upstairs following a distinct theme and the downstairs gallery shining a spotlight on specific artists.
“There’s quite a lot to take in here at the moment, but you’re not going to get bombarded by different styles here.”
After its soft launch this upcoming Monday, the gallery will have its official launch on Tuesday 22 April.
The gallery aims to hold regular exhibition launch events “where people can come in, have a bit of bubbly or tea and coffee, and meet the artists and have a chat about the works”, and other events such as live painting with an invited artist.
It’s important for Mark and Louise to encourage the connection between artists and the community through their gallery. “Artists do like to meet the people which are buying their art, and they like to discuss about their work.”
Mark also wants to emphasise that the gallery is for everybody. “Don’t be scared to come in!
“If you just want to come in and have a chat about the art, that’s great. There’s no pressure to buy. Just come in here and enjoy it.”
Find out more about Stephenson’s Gallery at their website and Facebook page.
Take a sneak peak at the new gallery below…
Gallery
