An exhibition celebrating the life of Ilkley artist Fran Jordan is being staged at Otley Courthouse Gallery this month.

Fran, a partner of the vintage and accessory shop Cakewalk in Ilkley, died on New Year’s Eve 2008. She had suffered a brain haemorrhage.

A talented and popular artist, Fran, 48, was also a devoted tutor and ran life drawing classes locally.

Now members of her class have produced an exhibition in memory of their tutor, whose enthusiasm and talent, they say, has provided them with the inspiration to continue with their work.

Spokesman for the group, Patrick McGuckin, said: “Fran’s life drawing class had been going one way or another for around eight years, so we knew that we had to keep our group alive. Progress had been rapid under Fran’s instruction and the last thing Fran had done for us was to book this summer exhibition of our work at the Courthouse Gallery, which of course we can’t cancel. Fran wouldn’t have approved.”

The exhibition, organised by Patrick, Kate Bowles and Caroline Wellock will be staged at the gallery until Friday July 31. It will feature work with a variety of subject matter in different techniques including pastels, mono prints, watercolour, charcoal, graphite and acrylics. Some works will be available to buy.

A list of the works on display will be available for £1 in lieu of the entrance fee. A portion of the money raised from the sale of the programmes will go to charity. An opening night for Fran’s family and close friends, plus invited guests, will be held as part of the exhibition, with a percentage of any sales donated to her favourite charity – Cystic Fibrosis.

Born in Cheshire, Fran studied a combined English and art degree at Exeter University before training as a teacher. She taught art at Bradford Girls’ Grammar School and later St Bede’s in the 1980’s.

A spokesman for the Life Group said: “Fran’s enthusiasm inspired us all. It didn’t matter how good or bad we were. She used her talent in a very practical way. She would pick up the brush or pencil and show you what she meant, magically bringing your ideas to life. We all thrived on her approach and miss her greatly.”