Robbie Moore, MP for Keighley and Ilkley, visited the Inner Light Studio and Gallery in the Airedale Shopping Centre following an invited from local photographer Simon Sugden.

Mr Sugden’s exhibition, Urban Kaleidoscope, is currently on display until September 12, and features kaleidoscopic images inspired by urban landscapes, patterns, and reflections.

Founders ‘deserve enormous credit’

Mr Moore said: “It was fantastic to be invited down to Inner Light by Simon and to view his latest pieces in the Urban Kaleidoscope exhibition.

“Simon’s work offers a unique perspective on our local industrial heritage, taking buildings and spaces that we might otherwise overlook and presenting them in a completely different way.”

Mr Moore was given a tour of the gallery by its founders, artists Jon Wilfy and Lauren Emma, who launched the space in March 2026 after transforming a disused shop unit.

Mr Moore said: “Jon and Lauren deserve enormous credit for creating a genuinely grassroots space and opening it up to other artists and the wider community.”

‘We create art from our hearts’

Inner Light now showcases exhibitions and hosts workshops. 

Mr Wilfy said: “I was approached by Lauren last year in 2025, and we discussed building a potential creative community space.

“At the time, I had another creative space in Keighley; however, I thought ‘let’s go for it!’ as I thought this had a lot of potential.

“We wanted to offer a platform for artists that don’t usually get a voice, as we are not traditional artists in a creative sense.

“We create from a different place; we create art from our hearts and wanted to share our journey with others and give back, and I feel we can do that with Inner Light.”

Ms Emma said: “This has been a fully grassroots project, and we have had so much support from the community that it has been quite overwhelming.

“Robbie Moore came to visit our unique space and have a look at some of the work and visuals and said he was impressed.

“All the support means a lot to us, as we are trying to uplift and spark something within each person that comes into the space.”

Following Mr Sugden’s exhibition, Inner Light will host Creatures of Alchemy from September 19, featuring work by artists Fran Elliott and Dani Parker.