Alix Peacock, of York Minster, views the paintings on display at the Revealed Art exhibition. Picture: Ally Carmichael

EIGHTEEN artists have produced paintings of York Minster for a new exhibition about the building which they love.

The artists, who are all associated with York Minster in some way, have produced works expressing their feelings about York's Cathedral.

The host of talented painters are all part of the Minster's community - from members of the congregation, to the Minster's Surveyor of the Fabric.

Their paintings will form an exhibition in the North Transept of York Minster beginning tomorrow and ending on the evening of Friday, April 18, when the paintings will then be sold at an auction.

The proceeds will go towards the York Minster Revealed project, which aims to open up the beauty of the Minster and increase craft and skills training in stone masonry and stained glass conservation.

The project has been awarded an earmarked grant of £10 million by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The funds raised from the auction will go towards the match funding for the project.

The unique exhibition will be the only chance to see the varied interpretations of York Minster, in the different styles and methods of all the artists, together.

One of the featured artists is well-known local painter Jake Attree, who will speak about his love of the Minster and how it has inspired his work before the auction in the Minster, at 7.30pm, on April 18.

Mr Attree said: "Being born in York presents one with a number of pictorial influences which if one has a visual predisposition will impact upon that sensibility.

"The flatness of the surrounding landscape, the two rivers running through the city and a very particular kind of light have all been powerful influences on me.

"These are of course natural phenomena.

"The biggest single man-made influence by far has been the Minster. Its sheer size makes it an overwhelming presence in the city.

"Its scale and positioning in relation to the other buildings and streets that make up the city's fabric have had a lasting influence on the way I make paintings."

Another of the participating artists is Andrew Arrol, York Minster's surveyor of the fabric.

He said: "One of the characteristics of medieval architecture that I have always admired is the effortless way that closely observed intimate and personal detail is seamlessly integrated into structure of awesome dimensions.

"On entering the Minster the visitor is immediately made aware of the contrast in scale between the human body and the immense dimensions of the North and South transepts and the Crossing Tower."

Tickets for Mr Attree's talk and the auction of paintings will cost £5 and are available from the Church House Reception, Ogleforth, York, YO1 7JN, or by phoning 01904 557 208 or from the Minster on the night.

The participating artists

* The Rt Rev Lord Habgood PC, a former Archbishop of York who worships in the Minster

* Andrew Arrol, the current surveyor of the fabric at York Minster

* Meg Arrol, who is married to the surveyor of the fabric

* York artist Jake Attree who has regularly exhibited his work at the Minster

* Dr Peter Dench, a York Minster Guide who also worships in the Minster

* Jamie Donaldson, a former pupil of the Minster School who has previously exhibited his work in the Minster

* Richard Carr-Archer, a former surveyor of the fabric at York Minster who still worships there * Clare Carr-Archer, who is married to Richard Carr-Archer

* Jose Honing who plays in the orchestra which accompanies services at York Minster

* Dr Helen Wright, who teaches watercolours at the Minster School

* Marlo Vernon, a teacher at the Minster School

* Ernest Richardson, who has had a great interest in York Minster since an early age

* Gerry Balcombe, who is married to a York Minster Guide

* Janet Howat, Peter Geraghty, Ann Mills, Ruth Demack and Clare Wake, who all worship at York Minster

4:16pm Friday 28th March 2008

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