Join us at a sparkling reception to celebrate the installation of a new, bespoke lighting system at the
Mercer Art Gallery – and enjoy a private view of three new exhibitions!
A first look at the Walker Neesam Archive

We Think the World of You
People and Dogs Drawn Together
David Remfry MBE RA

Finding Eva Leigh
Rediscovering a Harrogate Artist

As you will hear in more detail in our next newsletter, we Friends have contributed a £25,000 grant to help fund a much-needed new lighting system at the gallery. Lighting is critical for galleries, and the new, sophisticated system will allow the Mercer greater opportunities to show works from major lenders and to request loans in confidence that it can provide the ideal environment for them to be lit and displayed.
Come and see what a difference the Friends’ contribution has made,
and enjoy a glass or two of fizz (plus canapés) while you catch up with
Friends old and new and explore three new exhibitions:

• Historian Malcolm Neesam, well known to Friends, generously bequeathed his papers to Harrogate
  Museums. This is a chance to see some of his collection as work gets underway to catalogue this
  significant archive of Harrogate life
• David Remfry studied at Hull College of Art. On display will be some of his delicate portraits in
  watercolour and graphite, revealing relationships that develop between dogs and their owners.
• Finally, an exhibition of drawings from the Mercer’s own collection, highlighting the work of an artist
  who once lived in the town. Born in Bradford in 1895, Eva Leigh Walker attended Bradford School of
  Art and moved to Harrogate where she seems to have made a living from silhouette and portrait
  commissions from fashionable visitors to town. A talented yet largely forgotten artist whose work
  reflected a particular moment in Harrogate’s spa history

FRIENDS £20 per person
GUESTS welcome at £25 per person
To reserve your place please email details as requested to julieagoldsmith32@gmail.com and make
your BACS payment, reference MAY 24 and your SURNAME to:-
Sort Code: 40-23-12 Account No: 11440659
Harrogate Arts & Mercer Gallery Development Trust
Or complete below and post with cheque made payable to Friends of Mercer Art Gallery to:-
Julie Goldsmith, Apartment 1, 35 Ripon Rd, Harrogate, HG1 2 JL Tel: 07950 606305
Friend!s Name(s)…………………………………………………………………
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Guest!s Name(s) ………………………………………………………………….
YOUR CONTACT DETAILS
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Cheques now cost us 40p each to bank and a contribution of 40p to cover this cost would be much
appreciated.
As our social events are fundraising, no refund can be given for cancellations after the closing
date of Friday 3rd May.
No tickets will be sent out for this event. We look forward to greeting you at the Mercer.
Registered Charity No. 101143