Leeds Art Gallery

When a visitor enters the Leeds Art Gallery their artistic instincts are at once awakened. The wide varieties of artworks on display in the gallery are a visitor’s heaven. The Art Gallery itself is representative of true culture and heritage in Leeds and a must on a tourist’s schedule. A lover of classic art will find traditional prints, watercolor depictions, paintings and sculptures. A person who is more at home with the contemporary arts will find modern symbols of artistic sculptures - works made with plastic grapes and twin tubs. Some of the most outstanding works of British art outside London are available at Leeds Art Gallery.

The Leeds City Art Gallery is situated at the Headrow, or you can visit Leeds City Art Gallery online. The website provides a comprehensive landscape of the Art Gallery and its exhibits and facilities. There is also a map displayed for first time visitors so that they can find their favourite areas of interest quickly and easily.

The Leeds City Art Gallery is located in the city centre. It’s next to the Central Library and close to the Town Hall. It’s only five minutes walk from both the railway station and the nearest bus service. The Gallery opens every day at 10am and remains open till 5pm from Monday to Saturday. On Sundays, the Gallery is only open in the afternoon until 5 and is closed on Bank Holidays.

The Gallery has been constructed in such a way that visitors with wheelchairs can access all parts of the ground floor gallery. All the displays are labelled at wheelchair height. A lift enables access for all to the first floor. Staff are always at hand to assist any visitors with special requirements. There are also disabled toilets on the ground floor just next to the lift. Those who are visually impaired will only be permitted to touch objects with the assistance of a staff member, provided on request. A few of the exhibited items also have sound, so an induction loop has been installed in the lecture theatre for the deaf or those who are hard of hearing.

A number of seats are spread over the Gallery for visitors feeling tired or wanting to discuss what they have seen. There is a Café Zone in the first Floor and also a Lower Sculpture Gallery. A bookstall is situated at the main entrance where large maps of the Gallery and large print labels are available. One basic shortfall in the facilities provided to the visitors is the absence of parking facilities. Only disabled badge holders can park free of charge on the street at the street parking meters. Or they may park their vehicles in the ‘pay and display’ spaces in the streets. Information relating to parking facilities and times are available at the Department of Highways and Transportation.

The Leeds Art Gallery hosts contemporary touring exhibitions and other programmes throughout the year. A recent exhibition, entitled ‘Paranoia’, was based on the current theme of uncertainty, unrest, unease and violence. The exhibition included video, photography, performances, installation, drawing and digital technology. Artists from all parts of the globe with very different ethnic and cultural backgrounds displayed their works, many from the United States, Europe and the Middle East. The exhibition was supported by the Art Council of England. Other such events that took place this year were ‘Ways of Seeing’ and ‘Rose and Heather’ by Emma Bolland.

There is a unique opportunity offered by the Leeds Art Gallery to the residents of Leeds. The Gallery allows the residents to borrow arts and pictures for three months on payment of a small fee. The residents have to provide authentic proof of their address. Items that are lent include oil paintings, original artists’ prints, drawings, including those rendered by the local artists. Reproduction of permanent works is also provided including the prints that are available for purchase at the local shop.

The City Art Gallery at Leeds has something to offer for most art lovers. It is not surprising therefore that it is visited by numerous foreign visitors all year round. Since it provides some unique facilities for Leeds residents, they love to visit the Gallery. It is certainly considered to be a prime spot not only in Leeds but in the entire United Kingdom.