This new entry to Albion Street in the centre of town is truly a breath of fresh air. This…read moreparticular street is quite clogged with coffee shops and eateries as it is and so the addition of an art gallery shop is the perfect answer for diversity. The store itself is laid out like an art gallery with relaxing white space with which to adorn the artwork - perfect for maintaining an uncluttered feel with such a variety of artists on show. There is the main space on the ground floor and a further gallery down the narrow stairs. The lady who was working when I popped in was absolutely lovely, she was really friendly and talkative about the shop, but didn't push to sell me anything which I always appreciate. The art itself was wonderful and diverse, from the kitsch cutesy cow art by Caroline Shotten, to the modern pop-art stark portraits of Simon Claridge, to the bold graffiti art of Ge Feng there was something for everyone. My difficulty is that I could have purchased all of their pieces, since diversity is what I like best, however at around £400+ per painting I simply couldn't afford to be impulsive. I certainly don't think that it is overly expensive - art is quite often underpriced and undervalued, but in my current state of pauperdom I would have to really fall in love to make such a spend. If you are lucky enough to have that kind of cash to spend, I suggest you search for a gift in this gallery. You will find something unique and delightful herein.

I couldn't agree more with the first review. This is such a wonderful place to step into and at the…read moremoment they have a sale on so there are loads of completely juxtaposing pieces. From cartoon like paintings to classical fine art portraits of bare ladies. Rather scruffy looking as I was at the time I was pleased coercive such a warm welcome from the lady, Angela, who was working at the time I entered. Some truly breathtaking art work on display and ready for someone to buy and proudly display, unfortunately I need a new par of climbing boots before I buy anything else.

I was sooooo looking forward to the opening of this Prime historic cornerstone of Leeds City…read morecentre. The iconic building has been brought to life with art space and The Tetley kitchen. A lot of the original features have been preserved in the building and its lovely to get a venue at the Hunslet end of town with such grandeur! So, in to the Tetley kitchen we ventured for lunch! I hope that they sort out the little 'flaws' such as too many staff but no-one doing much, not being able to have a tab unless you're eating in the restaurant and the confusion over which is the 'correct' entrance! Anyway, they have a good selection of drinks both alcoholic & non-alcoholic so we purchased and had a look at the menu which has slight variations depending on if you sit in the 'bar area' or the restaurant. As there wasn't much available space in the bar we went for the quieter option and got a table in the restaurant. The setting is a mix of old & new. Quite simple and works well. The menu offers a good mix of dishes. My dining companion ordered mushrooms on toast followed by fish & chips and I ordered Homity pie (for something a bit different) The mushrooms on toast went down well, the portion was a bit small though. A mixture of mushrooms in a creamy sauce on sourdough toast- it didn't hang around long! The mains took a little while to come out and when they did we both had a little disappointment. The peas on the fish and chips were stone cold! the fish & chips were lovely but this took the shine off really. The Homity pie I was expecting to be with a 'pie' crust and it wasn't! It was basically mash potato, leeks which were on the bitter side and a nice undertone of cheese. I'd asked for a side of chips so it was a spud overload! I would go again, possibly not order the same food, and be tempted to just sit in the bar. I can see the potential and what they're tryig to achieve but it needs a bit more 'polish'.

So these days the idea of being stuck in a pub with just Tetley on scares me. Happily their old…read morecorporate headquarters has been turned into a more arts orientated building now - though still sign posted 'Brewery' as you approach. It's just over the river from the central area of Leeds. There's a couple of sculpture pieces outside, which I liked. The galleries are upstairs, in the old boardrooms and directors offices, which are fine wood panelled rooms - not your traditional gallery space. There's maybe 9 rooms, of which half have Tetley related art, and the other half more contemporary pieces. The guide is pretty handy, and there's an attendant around to make sure you don't stand on the floor based art, which you could easily do if you're distracted by your mobile figuring out your day lalala. It didn't take me that long to go round it. Probably just longer than walking there. It was worth it, but I think perhaps a few more pieces are needed. I didn't venture into the bar, but it felt homely with large leather chesterfields to relax on, and good music playing on the jukebox, a decent range of food, and a display of A LOT of old Tetley beer bottles. Will be interesting to see how it evolves.

Established by an ex-student of Leeds. Pairing up the unused spaces in the Merrion Centre and lack…read moreof space for emerging artist to display their work this space here holds workshops, artist bookshop as well as exhibitions. Volunteers are wanted to help run this not-for-profit organisation so if this space intrigues you perhaps you should go along.

You may not have even heard of theartmarket. If you are interested in all things artistic and…read morecontemporary look into it. Showcasing the best in Leeds artistic tallent, as well as playing host to exciting number of names from overseas and from around the country, theartmarket is tucked away in the back markety space of the Merion Centre. Many people don't even know if exists, so next time you're in there, try and explore the back corridors of the Centre. It is a redundant space, so a couple of ex-art students from this city decided to do something with it. they have recently received funding from the Arts Council, and good for them! It's an exciting space, and it's easy to get involved. Whether you're interested in exhibiting or volunteering, you should get in touch with them. Details as shown on their website.

On a jolly jaunt about town with a chum, we decided to check out the Leeds Art Gallery after a good…read moreluncheon. I'd gotten my galleries confuddled, and had hoped to catch the Back To Basics display, but of course they weren't in the official gallery. (What a plum!) For that you'll have to get over to Munro house, as I intend to at some point. But, what we did find, was a fantastic display of work. The Hume sculptures are lots of fun, for some reason reminding me of Silent Hill a little, but then I'm that way inclined. As soon as we ascended upstairs we were met by a delightfully creepy old lady, painted almost green, very reminiscent of the typical vision of an old wise woman. She was looking up to the skies in an unending groan, perhaps bemoaning her creaking joints -her hand was pretty gnarly, and perhaps arthritic. Any way, I'm writing this rather tongue in cheek, but it is a fantastic image. Upstairs there's plenty of different mediums to take in, as well as the wonderfully structured library. I can't describe all the paintings, sketches and sculptures we saw as the instant I took a photograph (for posterity) I was asked to kindly desist. You're not allowed to take pictures! Having to commit everything to memory is almost defunct with one such as myself -apparently I have very poor skills at this. Even so, I can remember the overwhelming feeling of enjoyment and intrigue, and that my particular favourite image was called 'A children that has gone to cheese' by Sam Haile. Check it out. Downstairs I hadn't prepared to enjoy the pre 1900 section quite so much. My tastes usually extend to Surrealism, but the Pre-Raphaelite (forgive me if this is wrong) and Realism exhibition is really breathtaking. Don't get me wrong -the subject matter was not always of interest. I'm not religious, so the dainty Jesus wasn't to my taste. However, the landscape images were simply incredible-get right in there and take in the brush technique, and the stand back and let your eyes soak it in. Wow. What at once appears such a hapless dash of pain somehow becomes the most precise bit of foliage. There's also a truly awesome image of some kind of revolution/civil war. We took a stab, and guessed that they might be British soldiers. The striking thing is that it doesn't appear to be a war-positive picture - ususally images of that time show proud soldiers, and come across very patriotic, in my experience. Not so here. We discussed this terrifying still of horses, in the moment of rapidly approaching the viewer, and decided that it must have been created from the imagination. (As you'd be trampled were you right there at that point.) We then realised that the entire picture was quite intimidating. Firstly, the motion: horses at full pelt, almost above you, coming directly your way without falter. The soldiers looked manic, severe, and certainly not proud, or triumphant. Just determined. Then we noticed that the title was something to do with the Scottish revolution - and these soldiers were in red. Surely it's an image of some pitiless English demons, ready to rake the ground of Scottish soil? Who knows! We might be way off. We might have gotten carried away. But, isn't that the point of art? The joy must be in the discussion and intrigue, as much as the skill and still image itself. And whether or not we've gotten this painting utterly wrong, the vision of those towering horses and implacable men shall stay with me. So much movement! I'm going to have to go back and see them before me once again. So, go take a look. If you've an opinion, let me know...

I discovered Leeds art gallery when looking for a venue for a photo shoot and was surprised at the…read moreamount of contemporary work there. In smaller cities classical pieces tend to to over shadow modern art but Leeds art gallery makes use of a small space at the front for more eccentric modern work! I can't say I understood the event that was on at the time and was apparently using space and isolation as a theme. Despite my lack of knowledge I enjoyed walking around very much and it made a beautiful setting for photos. The gallery however has more timely pieces of renaissance art and more classical works. The museum is free and makes a lovely change from the hoards of crowds running in and out of Topshop and Harvey Nickles like shopping maniacs! The aura is calm and and relaxed. The gallery is small compared to those in cities such as Manchester and Birmingham however has recently been renovated with marble floors and large white walls. There is no fee to see some beautiful works so pop in for a break from your winter shopping! The cafe isn't half bad either if you want a sophisticated cup of coffee a little away from the main shopping streets,

Admittedly, I don't often visit the galleries and museums in Leeds, and that's a huge faux pas on…read moremy part. It's not through a lack of interest in art, nor a lack of intention, but the classic 'I never seem to find the time' excuse rears its ugly head and six months have passed and I still haven't had a look in to some of Leeds' more cultural and exciting spaces. Shame on me. So, when I realised I was available to see the third installment of 'The Grief Series: What is left' last night at Leeds Gallery, I dived on the opportunity. Let me explain what I know about The Leeds Gallery. It's a new (ish) space in Leeds for exhibitions, and a welcome one, since it offers something very different to the stalwart that is the Leeds Art Gallery on the other side of town. From all the exhibitions I have read about (sign up to their newsletter for the latest) the focus is a far cry from the more classic art collection you can find across the way. For starters, it's a commercial gallery, which means you can actually purchase art there. They specialise in photography, fine art and illustration, which means you get a fantastic range of art to peruse- I'm still regretting not making it over to see the Back 2 Basics flyer exhibition. One of the other major boons is that the gallery is attached to Café 164, which means you can while away a good hour or so taking in what's on, and the bob next door for a fantastic cuppa and piece of cake. And when I say fantastic, I mean fantastic. The exhibition last night was one night only deal, but even so, incredibly well displayed and brilliantly interactive. The exhibition displayed portraits of people, holding/wearing an object they had inherited from someone that they had lost, as part of The Grief Series ongoing research and development project. (Look it up, it's really worth checking out.) Each portrait came with a booklet, with excerpt transcripts from the audio where they were discussing the object and the person connected to it, which you could listen to via headphones whilst looking at the portraits. A lovely touch was that each portrait had a chair -armchair/stool -to sit on whilst listening and viewing.Essentially, the exhibition was fantastic, thought provoking, and really well put together. Just hearing and seeing the range of different people discuss loss through an object that linked them to their person was fascinating to be immersed in, and certainly made me think. So. Essentially, what I need to do is get out and see more. With an ever changing range of emerging and established talent, programme of events and more, this place is certainly not to be overlooked. Take a constitutional down past the bus station, and head for Munro House.

From the owner: The Gallery at Munro House is an independent gallery, art shop, exhibition and event space in…read moreLeeds. The Gallery exhibits and represents artists and designers practicing in photography, illustration, painting, print, sculpture, animation, film and graphic design. Alongside our rolling, month-by-month exhibition programme, the Gallery is available to hire for exhibitions, corporate functions, launches, screenings, events, workshops and more. Our in-house café - Café 164 - is a fully licensed eat-in and take-away sandwich shop and espresso bar, selling an extensive selection of sandwiches, soup, salads and cakes made in-house and sourced from specially selected local suppliers, including the famous ciabatta and focaccia sandwiches from their sister shop by the University of Leeds - Bakery 164; these include Vegan and Vegetarian options. The café offers a range of speciality teas, coffee is direct trade and all milk is organic. Also available are a selection of beers and wine, as well as soft drinks and snacks.

Those with a keen nose for secrets would have already spotted this gem, hidden in plain sight, just…read moreup in Far Headingley. But a stone's throw from Cottage Road Cinema, Sebby's Deli, Beer Ritz and the other gems in the area, this little shop-come-art gallery-come-cafe is a real treat. I've wandered by a few times and cursed myself for not having the time to pay them a visit, so on a weekend wander, I made sure to pick this spot for a coffee. As you go in, there's a counter of fresh goodies right before you, including home baked cakes at seriously cheap prices. They've a deli shelf, with all manner of world-friendly and nicely made things, such as specialist teas, biscuits, Fentimen's drinks, and more. It's a treasure trove of treats, and that's before you've even ventured beyond the initial entry. It appears to be family-run, and the friendly chap who served us was incredibly pleasant, smiley, and welcoming. We ordered two coffees, and went through to the dining room area. This gorgeous front room (the café must be a part of their actual home) is beautifully decked out in red and white table cloths, kitsch little things, a cabinet of locally made jewellery, and all manner of local art adorns the walls. Paintings of various styles take up all available space, making this quaint room come alive with colour. I loved it. Then, you can step through into the secret garden. Literally just across the road at one of the pubs was a crowd of rowdy Otley Runners, and despite still hearing the odd 'waaaaaay!', I felt transported elsewhere. Somewhere serene, safe and as the name suggests, secret. The garden is shaded by a huge tree, and it's a fabulous little spot to sit and enjoy a cuppa. At the time, there was an unfortunate moment, where a fledgling wood pigeon had fallen to the ground and so the lady (who I assume co-runs the cafe) warned us that it was frightened and to watch out for it. The poor thing looked pretty bewildered, fingers crossed it survived the fall and lived to fight another day. The coffees we enjoyed were fabulous, freshly made, and huge. It's not often you get such a generous cup, so you're definitely in for a treat if you're a caffeine fan. They serve a range of sandwiches made to order, croissants, cakes, and other bites too should you feel peckish. This time, I fancied something more brunch-y, but I'll definitely be back soon for a bacon sarnie in the garden! Needless to say, I'm a real fan. It's a local family run business, supporting local artists, who frame pictures too, and serve up a great coffee. What's not to love? Sneak away for a secret moment, it's worth it.

In a shocking development, sometimes shopping just doesn't cut it. Sometimes I'm feeling the need…read moreto be at one with my cultured side. Not often but hey it does happen. Luckily Leeds is awash with such places and the Henry Moore Institute is on that list. What I love about this place is it's fusion of old and new, classical and contemporary. Bold brass sculptures stand along from minimalistic room spaces of design and provoking debate of what art really is. It's also quite a distance away from the other galleries in Leeds, in terms of what it offers and is therefore definitely worth a lazy afternoon of contemplation and discussion. You can also look out for the touring installations involving sounds and visuals and indulgence quite regularly thanks to it's frequently changing exhibition lists. We like to celebrate a good old Yorkshire lad here in the shire and this Castleford born man came good. What better way to honour him than a stones throw away from his roots in our diverse city. You can leave your easal and berets at home though.

With its impressive black marble frontage the Henry Moore Institute looms over the art gallery next…read moredoor, but in fact offers a smaller and more intimate space focusing on all aspects of sculpture and design. The collections cover all aspects of contemporary and classical sculpture, while temporary exhibitions explore the relationships between sculpture and other mediums. You couldn't spend a whole afternoon here, but there's enough to keep even the most casual admirer of art entertained for an hour or so, and with free entry it's a great place to take a break from the hectic streets outside.

Placing art into public spaces exhibiting pieces on unusual mounts such as statute plinths and…read morehoardings this concept brings together curators, private landlords, artists and businesses. Exhibits include 'Short Shorts' a series of extremely short films ranging from seven second clips to those of 30 seconds duration, photography from exhibits such as 'Light Night' as well as 'Beauty in the Ordinary' which captures beauty in an otherwise ordinary setting from scenes around Leeds. This is very personal to the city of Leeds so if you want to catch a glimpse of Leeds life without leaving the city it may be good to hunt down some of this art.

This fantastic organisation is another gem that aims to keep the unique and independent arts scene…read morein Leeds alive. I've read a fair bit about their projects, and intend to make 2011 the year to experience more of them, as last year (to memory) I only attended one. I went to The Man Who Saved The World in the Autumn of 2010 and it was a fantastic, unique and completely quirky event. Basically, as a part of their projects, they've been using vacant retail space (I'm sure as a comment on using empty space during the economic downturn) and holding installations and events. This particular event was held in the old TK Maxx space and it was fantastically intriguing to wander through the back corridors of the Leeds Shopping Plaza, like something out of Silent Hill, to attend what felt to be an exclusive and underground party with a twist! As we arrived we found a huge empty space, with a ring of huge screens with some random Turkish sci-fi films being played on them, and a funky cool jazz band right in the centre. Drinks were available and it was great to see the space being used in such a quirky and intriguing fashion! My friend and enjoyed a happy hour sat on the floor watching some bizarre sci-fi, listening to the fabulous live band and generally having a good old natter in the centre of the space. One other project I remember seeing was set in some of the unused space in the Merrion Centre. There were sort of pin holes in the glass, which once you peered through, revealed a little art installation. It was delightful, but sadly I can't remember the name of the artist! At any rate, keep your eyes and ears open for any future goings on with these folk as I'm certain you won't be disappointed!

Having got a very generous amount of cash as wedding presents we decided that it would be good to…read morehave a painting with it all to remember our wedding day, Whitewall had exactly what we wanted a Rolf Harris print that looked amazing. The staff are knowledgeable and very helpful, if they dont have a painting they will happily help find it online and see if they can get it. Even when if like me you cant quite remember the name of the artist you are looking for I was fortunate the painting we wanted was in store and could be secured with a small deposit, which we did allowing us to go on honeymoon knowing the painting was ours and could be picked up when we return. As these things go we did have a small hiccup in the shape of a crack in the glass however this is quickly being remedied and the staff could not have been more apologetic, its easy to be good when things go smoothly but Whitewall are good even when things go wrong