After launching last year, we are buzzing to announce 13 artists that will be working across Selby, Tadcaster and Sherburn, creating free, interactive events for the community.

Throughout the year, artists will be taking up residencies in schools and community venues offering opportunities for you to engage with innovative artforms; from light installations to outdoor performances, murals, and workshops.

We are kicking off a huge schedule of free events with Selby Light. This will feature Ancient Futures, a large-scale light installation from renowned artists Heinrich and Palmer, illuminating the interior of historic Selby Abbey from 6th–8th March 2025. Visitors will also be able to experience interactive digital artworks outside the Abbey, in partnership with Selby-based arts organisation Mediale, creating an awe-inspiring experience for all ages. Selby College Art & Design students will be creating small scale individual light installations to discover in the Abbey and around the town as part of a family-friendly light trail too!

Alongside this, sustainability-focused artist Helen Brook and visual artist Mandy Keating will also be based at Selby Library, the Abbey, and around the town creating temporary artworks delivering workshops raising awareness of climate change and environmental issues as part of our partnership with Our Zero Selby. These artists will begin their residencies with free workshops during February half-term.

Over in Tadcaster, international mural artist RICE, whose vibrant public works have appeared in cities from Berlin to Barcelona, will be working with Tadcaster Barn and local young people to create murals at The Barn and in the local football ground. This is in partnership with ARCADE, a charity that supports communities to get involved in creativity. The town has already seen the launch of a popular youth theatre, as part of the Now Then! programme, delivered by Thunk-It Theatre.

In Sherburn, visual artist Sally Wright will bring her expertise in fine art and sustainable design to inspire young people at Sherburn High School through hands-on creative projects.

Chris Singleton, an award-nominated poet and playwright from Leeds, will be taking up a residency at Athelstan Primary School, Sherburn-in-Elmet. Chris is known for his candid writing and is also Artistic Director of Brave Words.

Award-winning writer and artist, Rob Young, will serve as Artist in Residence for the Sherburn community, basing himself at Sherburn Community Library and the Old Girls’ School Community Centre. Rob’s career spans theatre design, photography, and screenwriting, including projects for the UK’s leading film and TV companies. He is a formed BAFTA Screenplay judge and his film, Miranda, was an official selection for the Sundance Film Festival.

Amily Galhand, is a performance designer and visual artist who will work with pupils at Monk Fryston Primary School to explore storytelling and puppetry.

The artists based in Sherburn-in-Elmet are supported by early-career artists Bekhi Ostrowska, Lisa Goodall and Hafifa Ahmed.

Across all three areas, Art is My Career will be delivering a number of creative career workshops to students as well as training for teachers.

Tess, Now Then!’s Creative Programme Manager says:

“This is such an exciting time for Selby, Sherburn and Tadcaster and it was a pleasure to be part of the commissioning process for these residencies. The artists appointed bring with them a wealth of experience and skills but most importantly, fun and enthusiasm. It’s going to be great to see how their workshops develop and what events will be created from them.”

The artists have been appointed following an interview process with members of the Now Then! team as well as people from each community, including school children.

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