It’s an exciting start to my 2018, as this weekend I drove up to York to deliver 4 of my owl feather paintings to the beautiful National Trust property, Beningbrough Hall. Here I’ll be taking part in the ‘Oh Wise Owl’ Art Trail which has been in place in the gardens of Beningbrough Hall since October. Next Saturday 13th January, a new indoor exhibition which is part of the art trail will open to the public from Jan 14th – 25th Feb 2018.

Last Summer, a friend sent me a link to ‘a call for submissions’ for an owl art trail. Being a self confessed  ‘owl-mad’ artist, it felt like the perfect exhibition for me to enter, so I wrote my statement, sent some images and to my pleasant surprise, several months later, received an email inviting me to exhibit! Today is the day when all the planning and preparation is put into action.

Oh Wise Owl Poster – © National Trust/Joanne Parker

Beningbrough Poster ©National Trust

Four of my feather paintings were selected to be exhibited: The first and most recent piece being ‘Quartet’ which shows four Barn Owls. ‘Soul Free’ (also a Barn Owl) which was shortlisted for The David Shepherd Wildlife Artist of the Year 2015; ‘Waiting For Darkness’ (a Tawny Owl) exhibited at Patchings 2016; and ‘Watching You’ (Tawny Owl) make up the selection. All of these beautiful owls can be found inhabiting the grounds of Beningbrough Hall, which is what inspired this particular Art Trail.

‘Quartet’ (4 Barn Owls) My latest piece which will be on display at Beningbrough Hall from 13th Jan 2018 © Mandi Baykaa-Murray.

Beningbrough Hall looked like a Winter Wonderland this morning when I delivered these paintings. I hope to return next week to see the whole exhibition and art trail…here are a few photos as a taster of what you can see…

As I drove up through the grounds, Beningbrough Hall looking like a Winter Wonderland this morning.

Billboard for ‘OH WISE OWL’ Exhibition at Beningbrough Hall.

Me at Beningbrough Hall.

Owl in Art Trail, Beningbrough © JoanneParker/ National Trust

Owl Sculpture in Art Trail @ Beningbrough Hall © Joanne Parker / National Trust.

For more information, follow this link https://emea01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nationaltrust.org.uk%2Fbeningbrough-hall%2Ffeatures%2Foh-wise-owl-art-trail-at-beningbrough&data=02%7C01%7CJoanne.Parker%40nationaltrust.org.uk%7C8dc7448a2fd64038246b08d552b05d01%7C0fba79b96423460d88eff9c3d4ca2e9f%7C0%7C0%7C636505839795539683&sdata=Q1%2BLSywLqLyxGKbZpChxIdpYfzF35Y9H4WaTL%2Bb1o34%3D&reserved=0

and find out more via

Facebook:. http://www.facebook.com/NTBeningbrough 

Instagram: @nt_york

twitter: /NTBeningbrough

I hope you are able to visit this exciting Art Trail during the next few weeks – I’m excited to see it all myself! Enjoy!