Riverside Artists, formally known as Street Art Hull, began in 2014 with the sole intention of bringing the work of local artists to the attention of the public. Gordon Rason, who owned Riverside Properties, was chief coordinator from the start. Gordon helped us obtain grant funding for large tents we could take to outdoor events in Hull and surrounding areas. We were also allowed to use the staff room in Queen Street to store and display our pictures.

Each year in the summer months the group, consisting of about twenty members, has shown our work at Humber Street monthly markets, plus festivals in Withernsea, Driffield, Hessle, Howden and especially in Hull itself.

The tents were traded up onto marquees which took six of us to erect, as long as Gordon organised our labour. Every Christmas we take an empty shop from November to December where we successfully display and sell our paintings, cards, prints, drawings and craft items, which all make popular and original gifts. Many artists obtain commissions from people they meet at outdoor events or in the Christmas shop. We now have a website to display and sell work online: please visit riversideartists.org.

Two years ago, with the advent of so many murals in Hull, we decided to change our name to Riverside Artists so as to avoid confusion with different groups of artists. Sadly our founder and sponsor, Gordon, died last year. Riverside Properties offices have been empty for six months. The good news is we obtained a lease for the room in Oberon Buildings on 4th July, so we now have a venue to display and sell our work. We are opening it as a gallery from Thursday to Sunday every week 11-3 starting 13th July. The first featured artist is Marina Ratkus and the private view is Friday 5.30 – 7.30 on 14th July. 

Riverside Artists also show their work in Vintage Bar, Silver Street. Once a month in summer you can see us in Pearson Park near the tea stall, sketching and talking to members of the public. Please come along and say Hi!

Mary McGarry, 07960 386 888,