John Ross with former pupil, artist Tom Flint

Halifax enjoys an evening with Ralph Steadman at the opening of his exhibition 

With Ralph 

Ralph being interviewed

Oh what a night. (late September back in '63....love that song) The private view of Ralph Steadman's retrospective at the #Artworks 1830 gallery, and the culmination of two weeks of whirlwind PR stuff. 

I like serendipity, although I actually believe these days, not so much in 'happy chance', as God's perfect and amazing plan. Referring back to the aforementioned song it WAS late September, but 2013. My High Sheriff sister had booked me to accompany her, because of my artistic inclinations, to visit the independent art school and gallery in Halifax, the #Artworks. I had heard of it, but never been.

John Ross (a director and tutor) greeted us sporting his beret and enthusing about all things artworks. As we walked into the old mill, it was love at first sight for me. A class was sat round a large table in the midst of a drawing class. Around other parts of the former weaving shed easels were strewn liberally about and people of all ages, types and styles were at work. This was a place celebrating and enabling creativity to happen. We had the official tour with John Ross and Emma Wilson who has recently become involved on the artworks board. Her husband Nick produces #Pink Pig Sketchbooks and they are the generous sponsors of the Ralph Steadman exhibition. Also with lovely Lauren(tutor and girl wonder) and the amazing Debs - her story of a life transformed and healed by art was an inspiration...the Debs effect.

Towards the end of our visit as we looked round the soon to be opening #1830 gallery, there was mention that they could do with help on the PR front for the Steadman exhibition. With my journalist/PR bit of know how I offered my services and the next two weeks turned into a whirlwind of Ralph Ralph Ralph. Working with John and the utterly delightful Lauren, in Lauren's words, we 'got shizz done'. Man, we were on it. 

We were set to be on Look North and it was all going swimmingly, but the day before the opening they apologised and pulled out saying all would become clear. It did, when we discovered the beeping Prime Minister had chosen the same day as Ralph, to come and visit Halifax. No matter. We had a blast. The show was up and looking stunning in the beautiful #1830 gallery. Soon the man himself - with delightful daughter Sadie (Director of the Ralph Steadman Art Collection) and delightful granddaughter Grace arrived. Ralph was utterly warm, amenable, colourful, funny, inspiring and delightful. Within minutes I had become number one Ralph groupie. I loved his colourful spectacles, I loved his collection of fabulous necklace type things - one of them he told me, given to him by Hunter S T - who said 'put it on Ralph, it'll ward off evil spirits'. Sadie told me a few other tales re Hunter S T, private jets, large bowls of cocaine, and the time he came to stay:she found him so intense presumably unnerving,  that she refused to take her coat off for the duration of his stay.

What a fabulous preview night. Journalists came, people came, there was a long speech from John and a shorter one from Ralph. Ralph did loads of signing in his inimitable fashion. The next morning I went to the hotel where they were staying (in true groupie style)and took them for coffee at Dean Clough, before they headed back down south. I think they enjoyed Halifax - and we LOVED having them. 

You can see some pictures from the preview night on the Ralph Steadman Art Collection facebook page as well as on the artworks website: theartworks.org.uk. Check out thedebseffect.co.uk. And please please please, do not miss this opportunity to see the fabulous and wide ranging work - from Vietnam to Animal Farm, Alice in Wonderland to Leonardo da Vinci - of this internationally renowned artist/cartoonist here in Halifax. Wed.-Sat.10.30 - 16.00 and Sun. 14.00 - 17:00 at the 1830 gallery, Shaw Lodge Mills.