About
This summer, The Art House is thrilled to bring an exciting new exhibition and installation by artist Charlotte Smithson, exploring the powerful connection between people, place, and nature. Inspired by her family roots in Wakefield, Smithson’s project invites visitors to reflect on how memories and emotions are tied to the spaces and landscapes we inhabit.
The project takes inspiration from Smithson’s grandfather, Peter Hawkin, a Wakefield resident and art teacher in the city, who, in 1959, planted a series of flowering cherry and almond trees along Belgravia Road – a gesture of community care that continues to bloom today.
Smithson draws on this legacy and invites the public to consider the idea of “Emotional Geography”, how places and landscapes affect our feelings and memories. Emotional Geography looks at how these connections influence the way we see, experience, and care for nature and our surroundings, helping to shape our sense of belonging and well-being.
Inspired by her grandfather’s legacy of tree planting 70 years ago, the exhibition will feature an immersive installation filled with living plants. Tree saplings will fill the gallery offering a space for calm and contemplation. The space will be nurtured by local residents and community groups, who are growing plants and flowers to incorporate into the sculpture.
This living and growing project will host a community engagement series bringing together people of all ages to explore themes of nature, happiness, and connection. At the end of the exhibition, the saplings will become part of the city’s future green spaces, supporting and contributing to Wakefield’s environmental goals and tree planting targets.
This not-to-be-missed exhibition by Charlotte Smithson is an invitation to explore and celebrate the living stories woven into the city’s landscape, as we bring people together to examine how art and nature can foster a stronger, greener, and more connected Wakefield.
Venue opening hours
Monday : Closed
Tuesday : 9:30 am - 4:00 pm
Wednesday : 9:30 am - 4:00 pm
Thursday : 9:30 am - 4:00 pm
Friday : 9:30 am - 4:00 pm
Saturday : 9:30 am - 4:00 pm
Sunday : Closed
Access facilities
- Accessible Toilet
- Assistance Dogs Welcome
- Baby Changing Facilities
- Braille And Tactile Signage
- Hearing Aid Loop
- Step Free Access
- Wheelchair Accessible
Venue Details
Find us at
Drury Lane, Wakefield, WF1 2TE
Phone
01924312000
info@the-arthouse.org.uk