Past Exhibitions – Dales Countryside Museum

Story of Schools

17 May to 18 July 2021

The Story of Schools in the Upper Dales features spectacular 4.5 metre-wide photo mosaic was unveiled to the public on Monday 17 May, as the museum celebrated the end of a six-month closure owing to Coronavirus restrictions. A Mosaic of Dales Youth, created by art and design studio The People’s Picture led by digital artist Helen Marshall, features nearly 2,300 photo tiles of youth and school-life in Upper Wensleydale, Swaledale and Arkengarthdale. The images were shared by local people over eight weeks in autumn 2020.

Run the Dales

23 July to 26 September 2021

With over 200 years of history behind it, fell running is one of the Yorkshire Dales’ original sports, no doubt inspired by its awesome fells. A ‘race up and down a nearby hillside’ has been a pursuit passed down through the centuries. This exhibition lifts the lid on fell running heritage and the contemporary running scene. Its stars, pioneers and iconic races feature through brand new imagery by award winning photographer, Stephen Garnett.

The View from the Fells – In the Footsteps of Marie Hartley

19 August 2020 to 24 January 2021

An exhibition of collagraphs by Hester Cox, inspired by the life and work of Marie Hartley and the Yorkshire Dales landscape.

The View from the Fells is the culmination of the Ink Inspiration Project, a two-year project inspired by the life and work of artist, writer and cultural historian, Marie Hartley MBE, the founder (with Joan Ingilby) of the Dales Countryside Museum.

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Passing Through: An Exhibition of Poetry and Photography

Online exhibition

Barbara Murray and Paco Valera divide their time between the Yorkshire Dales and Spain and are inspired by the woodlands on their doorsteps. One wood is the mythically atmospheric ‘Shaw Gill Wood’ in Wensleydale, the other, privately owned ‘Can Coll Wood,’ near Barcelona. Their bold collection of prose-infused monochrome tree portraits is a powerful combination of poetry and photography. Their work encourages people to give time to the ‘passing through’ moments of reflection offered by woodlands. “Without trees, we cease to exist.”

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Teeswater Year – Farm • Fleece • Fashion

28 February to 22 April 2020

This exhibition features the work of Nidderdale based photographer Melissa Peakman and feltmaker Yvonne Le Mare. Melissa documented Teeswater Sheep and their breeders over 12 months, in fields, barns and show rings. Her often gritty images contrast with Yvonne’s beautifully crafted, colourful feltwork, which transforms humble fleece and locks into sophisticated, stylish textiles. The Teeswater fleeces used by Yvonne are from Andrew Fisher, of Low Laithe.

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Reflections on Landscape

Postponed (29 April to 06 July 2020)

This is the second joint show of artists Beverley and Peter Hicks who each address the environment in different ways. Beverley reflects the stunning landscape of Malhamdale through her characteristic use of hieroglyphic mark making. Peter continues to discover its visual secrets, paring away specific things to work with the basic forces of his subject, its moods, light, rhythms and atmosphere.

Dairy Days

12 September 2019 to 23 February 2020

Dairying has been at the heart of the Wensleydale economy since records began and still thrives today. This exhibition is the culmination of a two year project to research and share the story of this unbroken thread. The local community has shared personal stories and collections helping to bring the wonderful historic dairying artefacts and archive photographs in the Museum collection to life.

Shepherdess – One Woman Farm

22 May to 08 September 2019

This exhibition displayed a tough and tender portrait of a ‘true-to-life’, born and bred shepherdess, Alison O’Neill. In a special corner of the Yorkshire Dales, there is deep gratitude and spiritual fulfillment to be found in the essential work of a Shepherdess.

Colour and Comfort

01 February to 08 May 2019

A collaborative exhibition with the Quilters Guild exploring rural quilts and quilting. An exhibition 19^th and 20^th century rural quilts and quilted clothing from the Yorkshire Dales, including examples of frame, mosaic, applique, wholecloth, patchwork, recycled and repaired quilts. See those made for richer households alongside those created and used in traditional Dales cottages.

Fabric of Place

04 October to 26 November 2018

Fabric of Place was an innovative community-based artist-in-residency project based in Swaledale. Four artists and more than two hundred members of the Swaledale community, including children at Reeth and Gunnerside Primary Schools created their own artwork.