PUPILS from a Hexham school have worked with a wildlife landscape painter to create a new exhibition at Hexham General Hospital.

The artwork, inspired by the Farne Islands, is by local artist Rosie Villiers-Stuart and includes contributions from Queen Elizabeth High School students Leila Belkin, Halle Poppy Dixon and Rosie Mace.

All three are Year 12 art students, who began their A-Level studies in September, and they worked hard to complete the work for the exhibition outside of their school art lessons.

The exhibition, which was curated by local artist Matilda Bevan, can be seen in the atrium outside of the Hospital Volunteer Service shop.

Rosie said: “I love small islands and the abundance of nesting seabirds on the Farnes, so close to our Northumberland coast, makes these islands a magnet for me.

“Because the birds are used to humans, it’s possible to get close without using a telescope, which offers me wonderful opportunities as a painter.

“It seemed to me that the theme would suit this hospital environment, as I’m sure so many people here will know and love the Farnes. I hope the sea, islands and birds will bring something of space and wildness into the hospital.”

The collaboration between Rosie Villiers-Stuart and the high school students was organised by Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust’s Bright Northumbria charity.

The charity has for the past 15 years, funded the development of an award-winning healing arts programme.

The programme’s main aims are to use the power of art as a therapeutic medium to improve the hospital environment for patients, visitors and staff.

Art teacher at Queen Elizabeth High School, William Pym, said: “Our high achieving art department is committed to supporting opportunities for our creative students to take part in community initiatives.

“We are delighted with the success of our young artists who have worked hard to create the beautiful paintings outside their normal art lessons, reacting sensitively to the commission and creating beautiful work of a professional standard showing maturity beyond their age.”

The exhibition will be on display for six months.