AN exhibition celebrating just over a century of Keighley Art Club is being launched in the town on Saturday (September 30).

More than 100 works by club members from across the years will feature in the event, at Cliffe Castle Museum.

Exhibits have been loaned from various sources, including descendants of past members and Bradford Museums and Galleries collections.

Keighley Art Club was founded in 1921 and is believed to be the oldest organisation of its kind in the area to have survived continuously.

"It even continued to hold exhibitions through the Great Depression of the 1930s and the Second World War," says Karen Stansfield, for the club.

"More recently we continued to meet through the pandemic. Members didn't meet in person for two years, but undaunted met via Whatsapp – a new medium for most!

"To celebrate 102 years, anything and everything has been encouraged in the exhibition – with paintings, collages, drawings, sculptures and textiles all represented."

Councillor Sarah Ferriby, Bradford Council’s executive member for healthy people and places, says the council-run museum is delighted to host the exhibition.

She added: "This is a really exciting event, especially given the upcoming UK City of Culture 2025.

"There have been hundreds of Keighley Art Club members over the years from very different backgrounds, all with the same goal of meeting to paint or craft in the good company of others who share their enthusiasm.

"We are delighted to host this important, free exhibition at Cliffe Castle. We hope as many people as possible will come along to see the incredible art work and to truly appreciate the impact that Keighley Art Club has had, and continues to have. It’s a very special club and this is a very special display.

"In addition to the numerous works on show in the gallery, there will also be an art club trail around both floors of Cliffe Castle and extending to the library, civic centre and the arcade in North Street.

"Visitors may be surprised to discover how many of the permanent exhibits in the museum and around the town were created by members of the club, which has truly been a major showcase and long-standing influence on art in Keighley."

The exhibition will run until January 14 next year.

Keighley Art Club meets every Wednesday evening between March and December, and new members are welcome.

Email klyartgroup@gmail.com or visit the club Facebook page.