SKIPTON, NORTH YORKSHIRE.-With foot and mouth outbreak upon us, for places like Craven’s Cattle Mart, Skipton, would come to a complete close and standstill had it not be for the running Art Initiative, ART IN THE PEN, supported by The Arts Council England, Yorkshire, that aids to keep such important rural venues running, open and alive in this moment of crisis.

With the restriction of movement of cattle and animals throughout, Artists will take their stead and journey from the stretch of the UK to the heart of Yorkshire to bring Contemporary and Modern Art to the livestock pens. In short, our Nation’s Artists and ART IN THE PEN is actively helping to support the life and continuation of this Agricultural venue, which both gives weight, and importance to this National and International Arts Event.

ART IN THE PEN, and the Artists have taken heed in this crisis forced upon us, and in its strength will help keep Agricultural stability and function in such a venue that is integral to not only the farming, agriculture and rural economies but the industries linked to it.

ART IN THE PEN is a completely off the wall and unique and non-profit, Contemporary Arts event whose venue is a real livestock auction market: animals that would be there in the pens by day and Fine Art and Fine Artists will fill the livestock pens for this extraordinary and important weekend event. This most unusual and unique event brings us unbridled, new & emerging talents amongst this year’s growing and glowing caliber of established artists. As the dozens of Artists are given the stepping stone to platform their work in this highly unusual celebration of Rural Space and Contemporary Art, it aims to deliver a unique opportunity of which is gaining national profile that invests in our British Arts & Culture and supports the Rural and Agricultural Economy.

Launched in 2006, ART IN THE PEN annual return promises more artists exhibiting provoking, modern and contemporary arts at the UK’s only Arts event for professional Artists at a livestock venue funded by the Arts Council England, Yorkshire. With well over 3000 visitors at its first year, we can guarantee that this year’s event will be bigger and better with even more confirmed artists returning and participating from the stretch of the UK and Ireland making this an International event.

Craven’s Cattle Mart’s Agriculture Arts initiative is breaking new ground by strengthening the infrastructure of Arts and Agriculture, and developing an audience for contemporary art in the UK. Supported by funding from Arts Council England, Yorkshire and Craven District Council this celebration of art showcases fine quality and beauty and is sure to attract admirers and buyers alike to browse in this outdoor but undercover art exhibition.