Beverley Art Gallery's 'Northern Soul' Exhibition Draws to a Close After Acclaimed Run

Time is running out to catch one of the most warmly received art exhibitions to grace Beverley in recent years. "Northern Soul," a collection of watercolours and prints by artist Ian Scott Massie, enters its final days at Beverley Art Gallery within the Champney Treasure House, ahead of its closing date on Saturday 14 March.

The free exhibition, which has been on display since Saturday 17 January, has drawn a steady stream of visitors from across the East Riding and beyond. Described as a "love letter to the north of England," the collection explores landscapes, towns and communities shaped by centuries of industry, faith and working life — themes that resonate deeply in a region with its own rich heritage of shipbuilding, fishing and manufacturing.

A celebration of the north

Massie's work captures something essential about the character of northern England. His watercolours depict sweeping moorland, huddled mill towns, weathered churches and the everyday beauty of communities that have been forged by hard graft and resilience. The prints offer a more graphic, contemporary take on similar themes, creating a dialogue between tradition and modernity that has struck a chord with visitors.

"What I love about Ian's work is that it doesn't romanticise the north — it celebrates it honestly," said gallery curator Emma Richardson. "You can see the beauty, but you can also see the grit. That's what makes it so authentic and so moving."

Beverley and the East Riding feature within the exhibition as reflections of the wider north. The area's own history of shipbuilding, coal mining and agricultural labour connects it to the broader narrative that Massie explores, and several visitors have commented on how the work resonates with their own family histories and memories.

All works available for sale

All of the watercolours and prints in the exhibition are available for purchase, offering collectors and art lovers the chance to take home a piece of the show. Prices range from affordable prints suitable for first-time buyers to larger original watercolours that represent significant works in Massie's catalogue.

The artist, who is based in the Yorkshire Dales, has exhibited widely across the north of England and has built a loyal following for his distinctive style. His work combines meticulous observation with a loose, expressive brushwork that gives his paintings a warmth and immediacy that photographs simply cannot capture.

Don't miss out

Beverley Art Gallery's exhibition programme for 2026 has been widely praised, and "Northern Soul" has set a high bar as the gallery's first show of the year. Entry is free, and the gallery is open during the Treasure House's regular opening hours.

For anyone who has not yet visited, the final week offers a last opportunity to experience the collection in person. The Champney Treasure House, located on Champney Road in the heart of Beverley, also houses the local studies library and the East Riding Archives, making it an ideal destination for a cultural afternoon.

"We've had wonderful feedback from visitors throughout the exhibition's run," Richardson added. "If you haven't made it in yet, please do come along before the 14th. It really is a special collection."

With spring on the doorstep and Beverley looking its best, a visit to see "Northern Soul" makes for a perfect outing. The gallery's next exhibition will be announced in the coming weeks.