Vision and Verse: Craven Artists Respond to Yorkshire Poetry

Craven Arts is proud to present Vision and Verse, the 2025 Members Summer Exhibition where visual art and poetry intertwine. This year, members have been invited to connect their artwork with a chosen piece of verse, poetry, or prose, offering visitors a deeper insight into their creative process, philosophy, or personality.

Visitors to this year’s exhibition will step into a multi-sensory experience where each artwork is accompanied by a carefully chosen poem, verse, or prose. These literary pairings invite deeper insight into the artist’s inspiration, revealing not just the story behind the work but also the emotional and philosophical threads that bind art and language together.

Yorkshire’s vibrant literary tradition serves as the foundation for many of these creative dialogues. From the words of Simon Armitage, Emily Brontë, and Ian McMillan to poetry written by the artists themselves and works commissioned from friends and family the result is a rich tapestry of over 60 pieces from 27 local artists.

For Craven Arts tutor Amanda Beck, Vision and Verse has offered a particularly meaningful creative opportunity—one that brings together her visual artistry with the evocative words of her husband, Chris Beck. A versatile actor, singer, songwriter, and writer, Chris has led a rich and varied performance career across stage and screen, with appearances at iconic venues such as The London Palladium, National Theatre, Royal Albert Hall, and the O2 Arena, as well as roles in sitcoms, commercials, and beloved children’s television like The Tweenies. His poetry, brought to life through Amanda’s artwork, adds a deeply personal and expressive layer to the exhibition. Beyond the spotlight, Chris facilitates inclusive songwriting and art workshops for people with additional needs, performs nostalgic sets in care homes, and shares his music locally as a solo artist. He has recently completed his first stage play, which he plans to workshop at Craven Arts House later this year—further testament to the couple’s shared commitment to creativity, community, and the power of artistic storytelling.

Whether you’re drawn to the emotions of a painting or the rhythm of a poem, this exhibition invites you to connect, reflect, and engage in a truly creative conversation.

Vision and Verse runs from 26 June to 31 August at Craven Arts House, 55 Otley Street, Skipton. The gallery is open Thursday to Sunday, 11am to 4pm, and entry is free.

An open viewing will be held on Friday 27 June from 5–8pm, where guests can meet the artists, enjoy drinks and nibbles, and experience the exhibition in a warm and welcoming atmosphere.