Welcome to the “Arts For All” panel, a celebration of Leeds’ creative spirit. Imagine you’re stepping into the office of the head of Leeds Museums & Galleries, where a decorative pinboard is covered with prints and postcards. Each one is a piece of art connected to Leeds, carefully recreated in embroidery by dedicated volunteers. 

One highlight is Damien Hirst’s spot painting. Hirst, who grew up in Leeds and studied at Leeds College of Art, is known for his works that echo the molecular structure of prescription drugs. Through his art, he comments on society’s relationship with the pharmaceutical industry. 

Look to the left for Jacob Kramer’s “The Day of Atonement.” Kramer, originally from Ukraine, moved to Leeds as a child and became a local art legend. This painting captures the intensity of Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, using bold, expressive lines typical of Vorticism and Expressionism. 

Next, you’ll see Paula Rego’s “The Artist in Her Studio.” Rego, a Portuguese artist who settled in England, is represented here because her work is part of the Leeds Art Gallery collection and has been featured on posters for the Leeds Art Collections Fund. Volunteer Joan Holah skillfully stitched this piece onto printed fabric. 

Further down is John Atkinson Grimshaw’s “Boar Lane, Leeds.” Grimshaw, a Victorian painter born in Leeds, was famous for his realistic, moonlit cityscapes. Below that is a sculpture by Barbara Hepworth, who also studied at Leeds College of Art alongside Henry Moore—both now have galleries named after them. 

To the middle right, you’ll find “Scotland Forever,” painted by Lady Elizabeth Butler. It depicts the Royal Scots Greys charging at the Battle of Waterloo and is usually displayed in Leeds Art Gallery. Volunteer Freda Copley embroidered directly onto a print of the painting, eventually covering the whole piece. The result is a stunning, intricate effect, especially in the sky’s satin stitches. 

This panel truly reflects the diverse and vibrant art scene in Leeds, brought to life through the hands of passionate volunteers.