THE organising of Ilkley Art Show for this year is rapidly falling into place.

Exhibition spaces are filling up fast, with artists taking advantage of the early bird offer. The trade stalls are all booked up, a variety of demonstrators have been chosen, and the list of workshops is almost finalised.

The artists who demonstrate during the show bring their wealth of talent and experience to share with the visitors. One artist who proved very popular last year was printer Mike Smith,who has agreed to demonstrate his lino printing skills again this year.

Originally from Liverpool, Mike specialized in Graphic Design at college there and at Newport, South Wales. A rewarding high school teaching career of 36 years left little time for any freelance work. However, since leaving education Mike has been able to concentrate on developing his skills in reduction lino printing. He enjoys the ‘primitive character, craft skill and historical continuity bound up in the process’, along with the ‘intellectual and technical exercise’ it takes to explore the potential of the medium. All of which is evident in the resulting prints Mike produces.

Mike works from a studio in Addingham, which he shares with his artist wife Julia Keates who paints. Living in the village he is able to indulge in additional passions of walking, with the wildlife and countryside providing source material for prints; and flying. Mike is a member and instructor at the Yorkshire Gliding Club based at Sutton Bank.

This year’s show is being held on Friday 10th and Saturday 11th of August in the Kings Hall and Winter Garden. Advance tickets are available from The Art Shop, Hawksworth Street, Ilkley. Further information can be found on the show site www.ilkleyartshow.co.uk.