A new exhibition celebrating local artists opens at The Sill: National Landscape Discovery Centre on Hadrian’s Wall this Saturday 17 November.
Northumberland National Park Authority has created a special gallery space to showcase artists from across the county who take their inspiration from the landscapes, plants and animals that symbolise the Park.
Titled ‘Inspired by Our Land’, the exhibition features 12 local artists and includes original work, prints, photography and ceramics. Visitors can expect to see traditional landscape paintings alongside contemporary art and stunning photography.
Popular watercolour artist David Holliday, who is based in the Tyne Valley and works from his studio at The Hearth Arts Centre in Horsley, is one of the artists featured. David has an honours degree in Design & Illustration from Sunderland University. For more than 20 years he has been painting works inspired by the North East’s urban, coastal and rural landscapes, iconic heritage sites and wildlife.
Describing the opportunity to exhibit his work at The Sill, David said: “It’s an honour to be involved in the National Park Authority’s first art exhibition. The Sill is an iconic location and I feel proud to have my work feature alongside other hugely talented artists living and working in Northumberland.
“I have been painting landscapes and wildlife throughout the county for many years. Northumberland National Park is a constant source of inspiration; therefore it’s fantastic to be exhibiting my work in the place that helped shape it.”
The majority of artists featured in the exhibition hail from Hexham, Rothbury, Haydon Bridge, Bardon Mill, West Mickley and the Hadrian’s Wall area.
They include oil painter Peter Flanaghan, Cathy Duncan, a specialist in linocut prints, Lindsey Cooper who works in acrylics, photographer David Taylor, printmaker Carol Nunan, acrylic artist Judith Forster, printmaker Carole Thirlaway, mixed media artist Denis McErlane, sculptor Robin Fox, ceramic artist Graham Taylor and photographer Will Nicholls.
Rosie Thomas, Business Development Director at Northumberland National Park Authority, adds: “We are thrilled to host our first art exhibition in the heart of Hadrian’s Wall country and to celebrate our gifted local artists and provide them with a unique opportunity to share their talent with visitors to The Sill.
“Inspired by Our Land represents the unique environment, varied geography and wonderful wildlife of our National Park. It promises to be a fantastic exhibition and I’d encourage anyone with a love for the countryside to come and see it. We have a great variety on display, ranging from oils and watercolours to mixed media, sculpture and photography. With such a wide selection there is undoubtedly something for everyone.”
‘Inspired by Our Land’ is a free public exhibition which runs from Saturday 17 November to February 2019. It is open seven days a week from 10am to 4pm.
Its launch coincides with The Sill Christmas Fair weekend on Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 November. Visitors can view the artworks, some will be available to purchase, and enjoy a variety of stalls offering unique gifts from local producers, crafters and traders along with festive food and live music.
The Sill is the UK’s first dedicated National Landscape Discovery Centre and the result of a pioneering partnership between Northumberland National Park Authority, YHA (England and Wales), and funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) through a £7.8 million grant made possible by National Lottery players.
To find out more about The Sill go to www.thesill.org.uk or to book an event or activity, go to https://www.northumberlandnationalpark.org.uk.