A NEW exhibition celebrating the distinctive characteristics of Northumberland has opened to the public at the national park’s visitor centre, The Sill.

‘Inspired by Our Land’ celebrates the national park’s heritage, culture, landscapes and nature, the exhibition showcases artists from Northumberland and across the North-East who use the backdrop of the county to inspire their work.

Housed in The Sill’s gallery space, the Stell, the exhibition which officially opened earlier this month is open to the public until January 19.

Featuring nine local artists, it offers an opportunity to admire the heart and soul of Northumberland National Park through original watercolours, photography, limited edition prints and ceramics.

Many of the artists featured in the exhibition hail from Hexham and the Hadrian’s Wall area. They include photographer Kit Saddington, printmakers Carol Nunan, Rebecca Vincent and Adele Burdon, watercolour artists David Holliday, Robert Newton and Charlotte Thompson and ceramicists Steph Jamieson and Melanie Hopwood.

Specialising in watercolours, Hexham-based artist Charlotte Thompson, often features landscapes in her works and takes inspiration from local plants and wildlife.

A keen bird watcher, Charlotte splits her time between teaching and painting, typically producing private commissions. The exhibition will be the first time she has displayed her work in a public exhibition.

She said: “I’m feeling excited, and a little nervous too, about sharing my work with the public for the first time, but I couldn’t have asked for a better response.

“I was delighted when I was approached by the Sill. Exhibiting here has always been a dream of mine.”