Past Exhibitions – Dales Countryside Museum

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.

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.

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.

Twenty Years of the Calendar Girls

06 July to 30 September 2018

Twenty Years of the Calendar Girls exhibition celebrated the phenomenal fundraising story of the W.I ladies who posed artfully with teapots, song sheets and buns.

Hidden History of the Dales

2 October – 8 November 2007

The Hidden History exhibition explored the untold stories of Black and Asian people in the Yorkshire Dales. It was created in 2007 to coincide with the 200th anniversary of the Act abolishing the British trade in enslaved Africans.