A BURGEONING Keighley arts charity has won high praise.

West Yorkshire mayor Tracy Brabin paid tribute to Keighley Creative during a visit to the organisation’s base, in Hanover Street.

During her 90-minute stay, she met members and studio holders and viewed a new exhibition. She spoke to the charity’s trustees and creative leads and heard about its current work and future plans.

Ms Brabin, who had studied drama and screenwriting before pursuing a career as a television actor, also toured the building.

And she viewed the RampRevamp outdoor artwork – produced by Keighley Creative-commissioned artists, with funding from Bradford Council – under the Airedale Shopping Centre car park ramp.

The charity has major plans to establish a creative centre for the arts.

It already houses printmakers, an upholsterer, a photographer, a writer and artist, textiles designer and consultants in visual arts at its base – the former Sunwin House department store.

Also, there are regular exhibitions, community creativity sessions and workshops.

Ms Brabin said: “It was an absolute pleasure to visit the Keighley Creative arts group. I was overwhelmed by the talent and passion of the members.

“Having worked as an actor and writer for 30 years, I know the power that the arts have in helping to regenerate and reinvigorate communities.

“As mayor of West Yorkshire, I want to ensure organisations like this thrive and continue to attract a broad range of people, helping to enrich more lives and improve wellbeing.”

Caroline Ward, chair of Keighley Creative, said: “We really enjoyed showing Tracy Brabin and her team both the current work of our organisation and the exciting plans for the future.

“She was very positive about how she sees arts, culture and creativity as some of the main economic drivers for regeneration of towns like ours.

“We hope to continue links with her and will be following-up leads she has given us to assist with the next stages of our expansion and development.”

* Keighley Creative is seeking a chair of trustees.

The charity says the voluntary post comes at a “crucial” stage in the organisation’s development.

A spokesperson added: “Working with our strong team of trustees, freelance creatives and volunteers, the ideal person will have significant leadership experience of taking major initiatives forward at board level.”

Anyone interested should email fiona.sherburn@btinternet.com for a job description and person specification. For an informal discussion about the role, contact vice-chair Georgina Webster on 07484 64406 or Fiona Sherburn on 09854 909906. The deadline for applications is October 30.