A striking artistic collaboration has transformed the area around Scarborough's iconic North Bay sculpture, where an oversized kaleidoscopic rag doll now stands alongside the well-known Freddie Gilroy sculpture on Royal Albert Drive. The unusual pairing of weathered steel and vibrant textiles represents a creative promotional effort for a current exhibition featured in the Scarborough Art Festival.

The eye-catching installation was created by Magpies, an artistic partnership between two Yorkshire-based artists: Angela Basson from Scarborough and Lisa Wallbank from Sheffield. Their collaborative work combines elements of psychedelic art and surrealism-influenced collage techniques, creating a distinctive visual style that has drawn significant attention from both locals and visitors.

The duo's primary exhibition is currently on display at The Shakespeare Gallery, where visitors can experience their full collection of mixed media artwork. This exhibition forms an integral part of The Scarborough Fair's summer season festival series, which features multiple artistic presentations throughout the city during the peak tourist months.

Julian Caddy, the festival director, expressed his enthusiasm for the artists' work and their contribution to this year's festival lineup. "Magpies is a brilliant exhibition by two mixed media artists, who create delightfully surreal and colorful work, which conjures up visions of other worlds, marvelous beasts and intriguing imagery," Caddy stated. He further announced that the exhibition's exceptional quality had earned it special recognition within the festival's competitive landscape.

"We were delighted to nominate it for the Best Exhibition Award at the Scarborough Fair Summer Season 2025 Awards," Caddy added, highlighting the significant impact the artists' work has made on both festival organizers and attendees.

The Magpies exhibition maintains regular operating hours to accommodate the diverse schedules of festival-goers and art enthusiasts. The gallery opens daily from 11:00 AM until 4:00 PM, providing ample opportunity for visitors to explore the artists' unique creative vision. The exhibition will continue to run through Sunday, August 3, giving both residents and tourists several weeks to experience this distinctive artistic presentation.

The Shakespeare Gallery, located in the historic St. Helen's Square, serves as the primary venue for the Magpies exhibition. This central location makes the artwork easily accessible to festival attendees who may be exploring other cultural offerings throughout the city during their visit.

The Scarborough Art Festival extends beyond the Shakespeare Gallery location, with various artistic presentations taking place at multiple venues throughout the city. This distributed approach allows the festival to reach a broader audience while showcasing diverse artistic styles and mediums across different neighborhoods and cultural spaces.

The festival will continue operating at its various locations through Sunday, August 3, coinciding with the conclusion of the Magpies exhibition. This coordinated timing ensures that visitors can experience the full range of artistic offerings during their stay in Scarborough.

For those interested in exploring the complete festival program, detailed information is available through multiple channels. The official festival brochure provides comprehensive listings of all participating artists, venues, and scheduled events throughout the summer season. Additionally, up-to-date information and any schedule changes can be found on the festival's official website at scarboroughfair.com.

The collaboration between Basson and Wallbank represents a growing trend in contemporary art where artists from different cities and backgrounds combine their unique perspectives to create something entirely new. Their work bridges traditional artistic techniques with modern sensibilities, resulting in pieces that appeal to both conventional art appreciation and contemporary aesthetic preferences.

The decision to place their promotional installation alongside the established Freddie Gilroy sculpture demonstrates the festival organizers' commitment to creating dialogue between different artistic eras and styles. This juxtaposition allows visitors to appreciate how contemporary artists interact with and respond to existing cultural landmarks within their community.