A NEW art gallery in the area is Going Dutch. The Dutch House in Crayke near Easingwold is opening a gallery named Kunsthuis (Art House).

This new Gallery will focus on exhibiting work from well-known Dutch artists. In this first exhibition, appropriately named ‘Across the North Sea’, work of at least 10 different artist from the Netherlands will be on display.

Working together with Dutch Gallery Nobert Dabekaussen in Sittard, Dutch House has set up an exchange between North Yorkshire artists and the best artists from the region of Limburg.

This concept of exchange is unique for Yorkshire and works both ways providing regional artist from ‘Gods own country’ the chance to exhibit abroad in a well-established gallery and offering the people of Yorkshire an exciting changing display of highly talented Dutch artist without having to go abroad.

Dutch House, set up by couple Cecile and Sjaak in 2010, is situated in converted farm buildings accommodating a Dutch lunch café, art workshop and an 1.6 acre wildlife garden.

For this new venture it has refurbished one of its buildings into a Gallery, a long-time ambition of Cecile.

She said: ‘My background is in art and organising exhibitions, when we started Dutch House in 2010 one of the ideas was to have regular exhibitions of local artists.

"We have always done this in our café but noticed some visitors didn’t feel free to enjoy the art on display. We have now created a separate Gallery in one of the barns.

Cecile added: "It is very spacious with authentic wooden beams and offers a great opportunity to display all sorts of artwork. I am really excited to kick off with the exhibition ‘Across the North Sea’ as it contains work from artist living and working in the same region I grew up in."

Do not expect pictures of tulips and windmills in Kunsthuis' first exhibition. Most of the work is contemporary with a strong inspiration taken from the natural world but also the social cohesion between people.

The mix of artist displaying their work is very diverse and varies from bronze and raku sculpture, to ceramics, porcelain and paintings in oil and acrylics.

Cecile said: "Dutch artists such as Sjer Jacobs, who makes ceramics and paints in oil, have a different approach in technique then what you would see over here in Yorkshire.

"His subject are inspired by behaviour of people and capture the essence of human relation into emotional detail using a creative well balanced mix of colour, shape and form. Sjer's work is complemented with items from UK artist Stef Mitchell, Ian Mitchell, paintings and prints, Jennie Gill, jewellery, and Tone Krogh, ceramics..

The Dutch House and Kunsthuis Gallery is open Wednesday to Sunday 10am 5pm and is situated on the road between Crayke and Brandsby . For more information visit www.dutchhouseyorkshire.com or call during opening times 01347-889431