A NEW portrait by a renowned local artist has been added to the Cooper Gallery’s historic collection.
Birdwell-based artist, Richard Kitson, was chosen from several applicants to create a portrait of Paul Elmhirst, long-standing chair of the town centre gallery, to be displayed and accessioned into the permanent collection.
Richard was previously a teacher of fine art at Barnsley Sixth Form College and participated in Sky Arts’ Portrait Artist of the Year, where he painted Paralympian Kadeena Cox.
Coun Robert Frost said: “The Cooper Gallery’s outstanding collection is for everyone to enjoy and appreciate.
“Bequest to the town by Samuel Joshua Cooper, the collection was an incredible gift to us all, and important to protect and preserve.
“By adding to the collection in this way, we are supporting local artists and giving people the opportunities to see new styles of art for generations to come.”
