Shipley Art Gallery welcomes new artwork created with Equal Arts

Shipley Art Gallery is delighted to welcome the installation of a new artwork created in collaboration with Equal Arts. 

‘Take a Seat’ has been a year-long project for the Carers’ Cultural Adventures – a dementia-friendly group of people 55+. Meeting weekly at the Shipley, the 12-strong group have worked with different artists, experimenting with techniques and artforms. 

The group responded to Shipley’s craft collection to design and create a piece of art as part of the project. Working with professional woodwork artist, Neil Canavan, they created a 'Table of Contents. The piece features a large, usable surface, along with twelve unique drawers, designed by each member of the group. 

Carole Fortheringham attends the carers’ group each week and shared:  

“The sheer originality of Neil’s idea gave us the possibility to work with wood, pyrography and other techniques, all of which inspired me to take 'Ruth', my favourite painting in the Shipley Art Gallery, to a third dimension! I’ve thoroughly enjoyed every moment.”  

Neil Canavan, Equal Arts’ artist, said:  

“Introducing the different drawers to the table gave everyone the opportunity to be involved in the product. I’ve been amazed with the outcomes, all the drawers even using the same theme have been so different. It's been a real joy to work with everyone on this project.” 

‘Table of Contents’ has been placed in the Shipley’s community garden. The community garden will be open to groups from Spring 2026. 

Ben Jones, Project Coordinator for Arts Participation at the Shipley Art Gallery, shared: 

“We work with a variety of community groups here at the Shipley. It is brilliant to install this new piece created in partnership with Equal Arts. ‘Table of Contents’ is both a beautiful piece of art but also functional for groups to use in the future.”  

Douglas Hunter, Equal Arts’ Chief Executive Officer added:  

“The group have a longstanding relationship with the Shipley, taking part in dementia-friendly workshops that are inspired by the gallery’s collections. It’s fantastic to see where creativity has taken them and for their work to be taking pride of place in the gardens for all to see and benefit from.”  

The project was funded by Arts Council England.