Join Pyramid and other lovely print makers and artists at the Sunny Bank Mills Print Festival on Sunday 08 March from 10 – 4pm.
We will be selling original screenprints, hand printed tea towels, handmade ceramics, bespoke fabric aprons and a collection of greetings cards and more created by our talented Pyramid member artists. All purchases made on the day will help support our work with people with learning disabilities and autism — empowering them to explore the arts, develop their skills, and grow as world-class artists.
Event Details
Where? 1912 Mill, Sunny Bank Mills, Farsley, Pudsey LS28 5UJ Date: Sunday 08 March 2026 Time: 10 – 4pm Cost: Print Fair £3.50 entry on the door (carers & under 12s free), no pre-booking required Access: Please see Sunny Bank Mills’ Access guide for more details: https://www.sunnybankmills.co.uk/arts/access/
About Pyramid Print
Pyramid Print is a new initiative to help showcase the creativity of Pyramid member artists by giving them an opportunity to share and sell the work they produce to a wider audience on a public platform.
Artwork by members is professionally curated and used to create a collection of printed merchandise including greeting cards, notebooks and screen printed textiles. These will be sold at small independent retailers and galleries (often alongside exhibitions of original work) and directly at fairs and markets.
Putting Our View Front and Centre: Creating Pyramid View On… John Atkinson Grimshaw
The Visioning Group is made up of seven artists with and without learning disabilities and autism. Four members of the group, James, William, Alice and Rosie, played a key role in curating the exhibition.
Speaking about the intention behind the project, James explains: ‘our view is allowing us to put front and centre on neurodivergency inspired by John Atkinson Grimshaw.’
The exhibition brings together a carefully selected collection of original artworks by Pyramid members. For the Visioning Group, this was their first experience of curating an exhibition.
James reflects on the process: ‘We felt that everyone should be given a chance to show their work, so no one gets left out. That’s the hard part about curating. The hard part is figuring out which one’s left out and which ones enter in the exhibition.’
Featuring over twenty artworks, the exhibition draws inspiration from Grimshaw’s distinctive use of atmosphere, particularly his transition from dusk into night. Alice explains, ‘colour-wise, we looked at colours that might reflect night-time.’
The artworks span a wide range of mediums, including digital art, collage, acrylic on paper and canvas, ceramics and more. When asked how he hopes visitors feel when viewing the exhibition, William says, ‘proud — and to look at the artwork and think, wow!’
Alongside curating the exhibition, the Visioning Group also developed three accessible, self-led creative activities designed to encourage visitors to create their own Grimshaw-inspired artwork.
James describes the activities: ‘One is the shadow puppets, where people can make their own puppets and create shadows out of it and share on social media. The second one was the skyscraper, where people could use the paper notes, post it notes, and then draw on it and stick it on one of the skyscrapers. And the third one was drawing based on my list.’
So far, the feedback on the exhibition has been enormously positive. In January, the Visioning Group hosted an International Day of Disabled People event at Leeds Art Gallery, welcoming people with disabilities, their carers and support organisations to enjoy the exhibition and take part in the creative activities.
The event was very well attended. Rosie comments: ‘It’s exciting and encouraging to see so many people engaging with our artwork and workshops. It’s great to see different organisations learn more about Pyramid and the work we do.’
When asked what he’d say to someone who was thinking about visiting the exhibition, William says: ‘Come and look at what it’s about and try something new.’
Pyramid View On… John Atkinson Grimshaw is exhibiting in the Artspace at Leeds Art Gallery until 19 April 2026.
Joe is a development team artist who works with his artist facilitator Rosie McAndrew, weekly. He is developing a cartoon universe of Greenthorn with over 30 characters. Greenthorn is a gritty seaside town that has been voted ‘The worst place to live in the UK’ and is home to a mix of interesting residents.
In his sessions Joe and Rosie have been writing episode ideas and turning his expressive drawings into postcards for the potential animated series intro.
He is inspired by the art style of Spongebob Squarepants, Looney Tunes, Oggy and the Cockroaches, Pizza Tower and Mickey Mouse (2013). His humour is influenced by Absolutenutcase162, The Whitest Kids U know, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia and The Simpsons.
Noah
“I am Noah and I am very fond of character design and background art. My art mainly consists of many colourful dragons and other interesting people and creatures. Dragons are special to me as I was born in the year of the dragons and they were the first things I drew at my college. My sense of humour comes from my imagination, family and friends from far and wide.
“My artwork is often based on past experiences from my life and surroundings or made up from my imagination. My characters are mainly families from Europe and North America with unique backstories and supernatural events and powers. Some experience tragedies, some witness events (or are part of them) and some use their abilities to help those in need when all hope is lost.”
Noah is a Pyramid member and development team artist.
James
“I’m a tornado of change and hope, one of my aims is to contribute to our charity who wants others to grow, be connected and make art whenever we can. I attend the visioning group, irregular art school, studio days and the next step art group. I also have my own D-team.”
“I’ve been doing research on AI, making lists on large scrolls and also make ceramic pieces.”
James is an Associate Researcher at the University of Leeds School of Fine Art, working on the Irregular Art School project. As well as being on a development team with artist facilitator, Alice B, he is also a member of Pyramid’s Next Step Group and the Visioning Group. He also attends Studio Pyramid.
Hugo is a development team artist who meets with his artist facilitator, Alice B, weekly. Hugo works with a wide range of materials but prefers drawing. His work often features some of his favourite characters and activities like football and The Bash Street Kids.
Since joining Pyramid, Hugo has experimented with different mediums like textiles, tie dye and painting. Hugo’s artwork was featured in Pyramid’s 2025 Summer Exhibition at HEART in Headingley.
Hugo says: “I have tried drawing, ironing, sewing, laminating, painting and tie dye. I like drawing the best.”
“I drew my favourite bash street kid character, I’m going to paint it next week it is going to the EXHIBITION!”
Good News Story: Ria
Ria is a multimedia artist with a learning disability and epilepsy. She first joined the Pyramid Youth Group in 2015 and now spends two days each week working in Development Team sessions with professional artist facilitators, developing her art practice. Much of Ria’s work is colourful and joyful, but she has also used artwork to share her frustrations with the social care system and to educate others on the challenges that young people with learning disabilities face.
Working with Pyramid has allowed Ria’s art practice to thrive and this has a positive impact on many aspects of her life. Ria has experimented with a diverse range of artforms including printing, large scale paintings and textiles. She regularly attends Leeds Print Workshop as part of her Pyramid sessions which she loves! Her artwork has been featured in a number of exhibitions in spaces including the Leeds Industrial Museum at Armley Mills, Assembly House, and the University of Leeds. Learning new skills and having opportunities to share her talents with the world has greatly boosted Ria’s confidence and self esteem. She is much more confident meeting new people and is working towards travelling to the Pyramid art studio independently.
“Pyramid feels like a family to me as the staff support me in ways that no one else does! Pyramid supports me to do things and go to places that I’d struggle to access on my own because of my epilepsy. I’m so proud to be exhibiting and selling my art. Having staff that listen to me and respect my ideas makes me feel so happy.” – Ria
It is Ria’s ambition to sell more work as a professional artist and she has made a lot of progress with Pyramid’s support. She has postcards for sale in the Pyramid shop and regularly sells jewellery, prints and lampshades at Pyramid’s art markets. Shops and venues across Leeds including Headingley Heart Cafe, Flavour Like Fancy and Ozziez Cafe stock Ria’s artwork. This work is teaching Ria many transferable skills, including managing her money and communicating professionally with customers.
Pyramid artist featured in Sunny Bank Mills Ones To Watch 2026 Exhibition
The multimedia artist is exhibiting her piece, Integrated Society, which was inspired by the converted textile mill she lives in. It combines research, photography and screen printing on a fabric banner and was influenced by Ria’s experience as an artist with a learning disability.
Ria said: ‘I find the word “integrated” very interesting. I like the idea of lots of different people living together and everyone being equal. For this artwork, I’m thinking about integration where I live, as well as in society as a whole.
‘Textile mills have always been places of integration, where disabled people worked alongside others. This might not have been taken into account by mill owners of the past, or by the companies which renovated my building, but still integration continues.’
James Hill, Director of Pyramid, said: ‘We’re incredibly proud of Ria for being selected for Sunny Bank Mills Ones to Watch. This is a fantastic achievement and a real testament to her dedication and hard work. Ria has been a member of Pyramid for over a decade and, alongside developing her own artistic practice, she generously supports the organisation through volunteering at art markets and helping with fundraising.
‘Ria has long enjoyed visiting exhibitions at Sunny Bank Mills, so having her own work displayed there is especially meaningful, particularly as part of a showcase alongside other emerging artists from across Yorkshire.’
Anna Turzynski, Arts Director at Sunny Bank Mills said: ‘Ria’s work stood out immediately when we started reviewing the applications for this year’s Ones To Watch exhibition. The judges and I were struck by the innovative use of colour and imagery of mills featured in the piece. The Gallery is located in the old cloth warehouse of a textile mill and couldn’t be a better curatorial backdrop for Ria’s piece. I love the scale of the work and recommend visiting the exhibition to see it in person.’
Integrated Society was originally shown in Leeds Industrial Museum as part of the ‘Any Work That Wanted Doing’ exhibition which took place for Leeds 2023, commissioned by Pyramid trustee, Gill Crawshaw. Ones To Watch 2026 showcases some of the most exciting emerging talent Yorkshire has to offer, combining work by artists across multiple disciplines.
The exhibition runs from 10 January to 29 March 2026 in the Gallery at Sunny Bank Mills.
Pyramid View On… John Atkinson Grimshaw – 14 November – 19 April
Pyramid has partnered with Leeds Art Gallery to create an artistic response that celebrates the inspiration of dusk turning to night-time in John Atkinson Grimshaw’s work.
This artistic response features original artwork created and curated by Pyramid member artists, inspired by the distinctive nocturnal scenes of 19th-century Leeds-born artist John Atkinson Grimshaw.
The project celebrates the atmospheric transition from dusk to night-time, a recurring theme in Grimshaw’s work. Pyramid member artists will also be running workshops in the Artspace (check website for details) to support visitors to create their own Atkinson Grimshaw-inspired artwork. Activities include using words as prompts to create your own artwork, making shadow puppets and contributing to an exhibition piece (see more details about the workshops below!).
The Visioning group will be running three family-friendly, inclusive creative workshops on 25 November, 2 and 9 December. Read more about the activities below. If you can’t make a session, you can find instructions for the activities and materials in the Artspace while the artistic response is running!
Activity one: What do you see in the window?
The Visioning group were inspired by John Atkinson Grimshaw’s paintings of buildings at night-time to create their own sculptural silhouette. The group allowed their imaginations to run wild, illustrating colourful “windows” which they added to the sculpture. Audiences are welcome to create their own “windows’ to add to this collaborative art piece.
Activity two: Shadow puppets
The Visioning group were inspired by the beautiful silhouettes that appear throughout Grimshaw’s night-time paintings and spent time making their own silhouettes from black card. The group enjoyed casting shadows with their creations and creating stories around these. Audiences are welcome to join in and create their own shadow puppets, the lighting in Artspace is perfect for bringing them alive!
Activity three: Drawing prompts
Visioning group member James loves writing lists. Grimshaw’s paintings inspired him to make a huge, beautiful list which is written on a watercolour background decorated like the night sky. Every word from James’ list is in a top hat. Audiences are welcome to reach in to select a drawing prompt and create a picture inspired by James’ vivid imagination.
Workshop Details
Where? Artspace, Leeds Art Gallery, The Headrow, LS1 3AA Dates: 25 Nov, 02 Dec and 09 Dec Times: 1-3pm Booking: No need to book, just turn up! Access: Please see Leeds Art Gallery Access Guide for detailed information: https://museumsandgalleries.leeds.gov.uk/access-at-leeds-art-gallery-s4q2
The artistic response will run alongside Don’t Let’s Ask For The Moon…: Nocturnes and Atkinson Grimshaw, a major show in the main gallery exploring nocturnal themes in Grimshaw’s work and contemporary responses.
This project is in partnership with Leeds Art Gallery. ‘Pyramid view on… John Atkinson Grimshaw’ features artwork made using recycled canvases, kindly donated by Pinot & Picasso.
“For several months we have been donating canvases to Pyramid to be used by their members. It has been so lovely to build a positive relationship with staff who have invited us to events and exhibitions where we can meet the members who have benefited from our donation and enjoy their artwork! We are so excited to continue to work with Pyramid on future projects and collaborations.” Amelia Rose Penny, Operations & Marketing Manager,Pinot and Picasso
Northern Monk
‘We love supporting Pyramid as it is so rewarding working with such a proactive local partner. They have visited us on several occasions, and we have loved hosting their busy and lively exhibitions and events. These allow us to see first hand the difference our contributions make to the charity and to the lives of adults with learning disabilities and autism.
We have enjoyed regular opportunities to meet with staff and members and our team have enjoyed meeting with Pyramid members to learn about accessibility and inclusion. This has been invaluable experience for our staff and made a really positive difference to the culture of our organisation.
Pyramid View On… John Atkinson Grimshaw
Throughout 2025, Pyramid worked with Leeds Art Gallery to create Pyramid View On… John Atkinson Grimshaw, a collaborative artistic response to the work of John Atkinson Grimshaw.
Titled Pyramid View On… John Atkinson Grimshaw, the artistic response takes place in the Artspace at Leeds Art Gallery from 14 November 2025 to 19 April 2026. It features artwork created and curated by Pyramid member artists, inspired by the distinctive nocturnal scenes of 19th-century Leeds-born artist John Atkinson Grimshaw.
The project celebrates the atmospheric transition from dusk to night-time, a recurring theme in Grimshaw’s work. Pyramid member artists will also be running workshops in Artspace to support exhibition visitors to create their own Grimshaw-inspired artwork.
Pyramid’s artistic response will run alongside Don’t Let’s Ask For The Moon…: Nocturnes and Atkinson Grimshaw, a major exhibition in the main gallery exploring nocturnal themes in Grimshaw’s work and contemporary responses.
Curating Pyramid View On… John Atkinson Grimshaw
Pyramid’s Visioning Group led the curation of Pyramid View On… John Atkinson Grimshaw exhibition at Leeds Art Gallery.
Here is a behind-the-scenes look at the Visioning Group selecting artworks for the exhibition with Leeds Art Gallery curator, Angie Thompson.
Behind the scenes with the Eden group
Here are some behind-the-scenes photos of some of the Eden group creating night-time inspired artwork.
Behind the scenes with Studio Pyramid
Here are some behind-the-scenes photos of some of our Studio Pyramid artists using clay to interpret some of John Atkinson Grimshaw’s works.
Pyramid View On… John Atkinson Grimshaw Celebration – 13 January
Pyramid is celebrating its artistic response with Leeds Art Gallery on 13 January 2026 as part of the International Day of Disabled People celebrations. Come along to enjoy the artwork in Pyramid View On… John Atkinson Grimshaw, created by artists with learning disabilities and autism, enjoy some free refreshments and partake in accessible art activities facilitated by Pyramid artists.
The Visioning Group will be leading three family-friendly, creative activities for this event, inviting participants to create their own Grimshaw-inspired artwork. The activities were inspired by Pyramid View On… John Atkinson Grimshaw which is exhibiting at the Leeds Art Gallery until April.
We encourage all adults with learning disabilities, their carers and support organisations to join us for this event.
The Visioning group were inspired by John Atkinson Grimshaw’s paintings of buildings at night-time to create their own sculptural silhouette. The group allowed their imaginations to run wild, illustrating colourful “windows” which they added to the sculpture. Audiences are welcome to create their own “windows’ to add to this collaborative art piece.
Activity two: Shadow puppets
The Visioning group were inspired by the beautiful silhouettes that appear throughout Grimshaw’s night-time paintings and spent time making their own silhouettes from black card. The group enjoyed casting shadows with their creations and creating stories around these. Audiences are welcome to join in and create their own shadow puppets, the lighting in Artspace is perfect for bringing them alive!
Activity three: Drawing prompts
Visioning group member James loves writing lists. Grimshaw’s paintings inspired him to make a huge, beautiful list which is written on a watercolour background decorated like the night sky. Every word from James’ list is in a top hat. Audiences are welcome to reach in to select a drawing prompt and create a picture inspired by James’ vivid imagination.
The celebration event will run alongside Pyramid View On… John Atkinson Grimshaw, an artistic response to Don’t Let’s Ask For The Moon…: Nocturnes and Atkinson Grimshaw, a major show in the main gallery exploring nocturnal themes in Grimshaw’s work and contemporary responses. This event is in partnership with Forum Central.
Leeds Art Gallery Exhibition Showcases Pyramid Artists
Leeds Art Gallery and Pyramid, a Leeds-based arts organisation, are proud to announce a new collaborative show that responds to the work of John Atkinson Grimshaw and features artwork by artists with learning disabilities and autism.
Titled Pyramid View On… John Atkinson Grimshaw, the artistic response opens on 14 November 2025 in the Artspace at Leeds Art Gallery and runs until 19 April 2026. It features artwork created and curated by Pyramid member artists, inspired by the distinctive nocturnal scenes of 19th-century Leeds-born artist John Atkinson Grimshaw. The project celebrates the atmospheric transition from dusk to night-time, a recurring theme in Grimshaw’s work. Pyramid member artists will also be running workshops in Artspace to support exhibition visitors to create their own Grimshaw-inspired artwork.
Nicky Lines, Development Manager at Pyramid, said: “We’re delighted to partner with Leeds Art Gallery on this special artistic response, which celebrates both Grimshaw’s iconic style and the incredible talent of our member artists. It’s vital that artists with learning disabilities and autism have their work seen and valued. This collaboration is a brilliant opportunity to share their creativity with a wider audience.
Pyramid is committed to breaking down the barriers that artists with learning disabilities and autism often face. Working with an established art institution like Leeds Art Gallery helps our artists gain the visibility, recognition, and celebration they deserve.”
Jane Bhoyroo, Principal Keeper at Leeds Art Gallery, said: “It is a real pleasure to be working with Pyramid on this project as we celebrate John Atkinson Grimshaw this season at the Gallery. It’s wonderful to see so many deeply creative responses to the work of this celebrated Leeds artist, by Leeds artists, and we are hopeful our collaboration with Pyramid will help champion these talented learning disabled and autistic artists in our city.”
Pyramid’s artistic response will run alongside Don’t Let’s Ask For The Moon…: Nocturnes and Atkinson Grimshaw, a major exhibition in the main gallery exploring nocturnal themes in Grimshaw’s work and contemporary responses.
Our AGM is open to the general public, we would encourage anyone involved or interested in Pyramid’s work to attend the meeting so that you can find out more about all the exciting things we got up to in 2024-25.
Pyramid’s winter art market returns this November with more handmade goods, artwork, crafts, and festive treats from local artists and businesses across Leeds. Come and browse the beautiful, festive artwork and meet some of Pyramid’s member artists and other local makers. There will also be delicious hot drinks to keep you warm and a family-friendly creative workshop!
Studio Pyramid Facilitator Poppy will lead a family-friendly decoration activity. Using air-dry clay, you’ll design and craft your very own festive ornaments, beautifully embossed with natural foliage.
We’ll also be hosting a festive competition to guess how many snowflakes cover Ice Planet, the stunning illustration by Pyramid member artist Alexander!
This is a fundraising event for Pyramid and all money raised will go towards improving access and inclusion in the arts for people with learning disabilities and autism.
Sassy Rebels Pyramid member artist, Ria, selling handmade prints and jewellery.
Eliot Local illustrative artist selling prints and refurbished objects turned art pieces.
Jayna Pyramid member artist selling prints and artwork.
Knitting Nicky Local artist selling knitted items.
Reeces Art Pieces Local artist selling prints.
Fidget Turtles Local artist selling fidget turtles.
Zola Remade Local maker selling upcycled items made from unwanted textiles.
Promise Beth Designs Local artist selling handmade items from second-hand materials
Jenesix Art Local acrylic paint artist selling prints and art pieces.
Edek Leeds based community artist selling original artwork.
Tammy Palmer Local ceramicist and textile artist selling artwork.
Nourishing People A social enterprise selling delicious snacks.
Penny Lewis Local artist selling original artwork.
Everyone is welcome and we’d love to see as many people as possible, so please help us to spread the word!
New art studio in Leeds for people with learning disabilities and autism
Leeds-based arts organisation, Pyramid, has opened the doors to its accessible art space, Studio Pyramid. Formerly operating as an add-on for existing Pyramid members, the inclusive studio is expanding its reach to welcome more local artists with learning disabilities and autism.
Studio Pyramid offers artists with learning disabilities and autism a space to work on their independent creative projects. Studio sessions run on Mondays, Tuesdays and Saturdays. As well as having a studio facilitator on site that can help artists source materials and resources for their work, Studio Pyramid also offers creative practitioners a chance to receive peer mentorship, professional development sessions and access to exhibiting opportunities.
James Hill, Director of Pyramid, said: ‘There are very few accessible spaces in Leeds where artists with learning disabilities or autism can work on self-guided creative projects. Offering a flexible, supportive arts studio that has artists with support needs in mind will enable more people to explore and develop their own creative practices and learn valuable workplace skills in the process.’
Studio Pyramid is a continuation of Pyramid’s Studio Days which launched in July 2024 exclusively for its members. The initiative was part of Finding the Flex, a project in collaboration with the University of Leeds School of Fine Art, History of Art and Cultural Studies and was funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council.
Studio Pyramid is supported by Arts Council England and offers creative practitioners with learning disabilities or autism access to an open art studio and training opportunities. For more information and to access a free trial, please contact Alice at: info@pyramid.org.uk.
