KENTMERE House Gallery’s 21st anniversary in August is being celebrated with an Olympic-titled exhibition, Going For Gold.

Running from July 7 to August 20, this anniversary show incorporates many of the artists gallery owner Ann Petherick has shown in York since 1991, such as Roy Freer, Susan Bower, John Thornton, Keith Roper and Tessa Newcomb, together with more recent discoveries Ann Kilvington and Freya Horsley.

“Throughout the 21 years, the gallery’s policy has been to show some of the best of contemporary figurative painting, with artists selected for the quality of their work, their skill, imagination and originality,” says Ann, who makes regular forays around the country to see exhibitions and visit artists.

“The result is an eclectic and highly personal mix, with artists of national reputation shown alongside promising newcomers.

“This gives encouragement to the new artists while bringing the already established names to the attention of a new audience in the north.”

Ann feels very lucky to be able to visit exhibitions beyond Yorkshire, “a chance that few people have”.

“I see my role as bringing some of that wonderful work to buyers in Yorkshire and demonstrating that contemporary art consists of more than just conceptual work – which is all that one ever reads about in the national media,” she says.

Prices at the Going For Gold show range from £300 to £2,000.

Kentmere House Gallery, in Scarcroft Hill, will have open weekends on July 7 and 8 and August 4 and 5 and is open every Thursday evening, 6pm to 9pm, and at any other time by arrangement in advance on 01904 656507.