A SMALL contemporary gallery in situated on a farm in North Yorkshire has attracted work by 100 artists from 11 different countries.

More than 200 people attended the preview evening at the Kunsthuis Gallery, situated at the Dutch House, near Crayke.

The opening speech was given by Sir Gary Verity, chief executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, who presented his organisation's Choice Award to his own favourite piece, Brighten, my Northern Sky, by Steve Williams.

"I am thrilled to have been asked to attend Kunsthuis Gallery's ambitious summer exhibition," he said. "This passion and dedication to art attracts people to Yorkshire and firmly helps to put the county on the map for arts and culture."

The exhibition, which runs until Sunday, August 20, was compiled by curators Cecile Creemers and Clare Nattress who presented Nora Hammenberg, a Swedish artist, with the £250 prize for best in show award.

Kate and Graham Durant, from the Picture Framing Workshop, awarded Janine Baldwin a voucher for framing expertise.

The work comes from 100 artists living and working in the UK, the Netherlands, Iran, Germany, Sweden, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Italy, Belgium and the US. It includes painting, sculpture, jewellery, printmaking, ceramics, drawing, photography and textiles.

Inspired by the Royal Academy's Summer Exhibition, the selection represents what is happening in the art world today. Each artist submitted one art work towards the total.

Said Ms Creemers: “This exhibition is about connecting the public with contemporary art that takes viewer and creator further out of their comfort zones. The 100 pieces show a deep insight into the various expressions within the art world, spanning semi-abstract to conceptual work.

"We want to celebrate excellence and originality, and artists who we believe sit in line with our gallery's ethos to be the contemporary abstract gallery of the North of England."

Kunsthuis is open from Wednesday to Sunday, 11am-4pm. The Dutch house is at Mill Green Farm, on the road between Crayke and Brandsby.