The gallery, run entirely by dedicated volunteers, has hosted more than 70 exhibitions by local artists and community groups, with visitors returning month after month to view the eclectic mix of artwork on display

Pauline Cooke, Ken Woods and Ann Driver were part of a group of ex Bradford School of Arts students who had held group exhibitions of their own work, prior to the opening of the Trapezium Gallery.

These experiences, together with knowing how difficult it was for local artists to find anywhere in Bradford to show their work, led to them wanting to open a gallery to exhibit both their own art and that of other creative. And so the Trapezium evolved, firstly at 46 Kirkgate in September 2018 then at 54 and 58 Kirkgate.

The use of empty shops, whilst offering the opportunity to curate exhibitions at an affordable cost, came with the downside that the gallery could be presented with eviction notices at a month`s notice.

Now, owing to the re-development of the Kirkgate Shopping Centre site, sadly the Trapezium has to close, until new premises become available.

The final exhibition is a celebration and thank you to all the wonderful volunteers who have kept the gallery open and thriving for the past eight years. It showcases all their art from printmaking, painting, digital and abstract art, photography, collages, and textiles providing a feast to the eyes in colour and interesting mediums.

A striking portrait by Barry Greenwood

I decided that the artists deserved more than a name or an image in the newspaper, so I asked some of the volunteers to write a few sentences about themselves. It was difficult to choose only four images from all the walls of worthy art so I hope the artists will forgive me. I think from these brief biographies you will realise the caring nature and passion for art that makes them loyal volunteers

* KEN WOODS:

Ken is an artist based in Keighley whose work is predominately printmaking, in particular pochoir, screenprint and digital. Originally a graduate in colour chemistry he worked in the commercial print sector for 16yrs, subsequently attending Bradford Art School for a Fine Arts degree.

Pauline Cooke uses paint, print and textiles

* PAULINE COOKE

After a career working in therapeutic services for vulnerable families Pauline took up art as a hobby. It soon escalated into a degree from Bradford School of Art and Leeds university

“Art for me is about what I want to say, so the medium varies between paint, print and textiles,” says Pauline.

* ANN DRIVER

Ann is a painter, photographer and textile artist who came to art late in life and obtained an art degree as a mature student. Before her discovery of her artistic talents Ann was a foster mum for 10 years and worked in schools with special needs children.

* CARO BLOUNT-SHAH

Caro worked as a community artist for a long time inventing playful and creative ways of making art.

Currently she is exploring environmental themes using photography and dry point printing to depict flora and fauna.

* MICHELE RUSSELL

Michelle was always a daydreamer, painting and creating as a child. However, her career took the direction of a mental health nurse. Now she loves to recycle from nature specialising in abstract mixed media.

* LAUREN KELLY

Lauren is a multidisciplinary visual artist, working across painting, collage, photography and digital art.

Other volunteers are: Steve Bishop, Hawabibi Sidat, Ian Tothill, Patrick Whitehead, Barry Greenwood and Cath Muldowney.

I have given you a glimpse into the lives and work of some of these incredible people and hope you will support them by visiting the exhibition for their last hoorah. The exhibition runs until May 30 and the gallery is open on Saturday and Tuesday to Friday, 11am to 3pm.

Any ideas or offers of premises for the gallery to continue will be gratefully received.

* Lynne Dobson is a Bradford artist and art teacher.