Rheged's 25th: Celebrating Cumbria's Creative Stars in Style!

Rheged, an art gallery in Penrith, is celebrating its 25th anniversary with a special exhibition called Twenty Five & Onwards. This show features the work of 25 artists from all over Cumbria, and it includes a wide variety of art forms such as painting, photography, sculpture, ceramics, and textiles. Some of the artists have displayed their work at Rheged before, while others are new and have been chosen as emerging talents. The organizers wanted to honor the artists who have played an important role in the gallery's history and also introduce fresh voices to the local art scene. The exhibition takes inspiration from Rheged's very first show, which was called Twelve and featured work by twelve artists.

Claire Harrison, the curator, explained that the exhibition is both a celebration of the gallery's past and a look forward to the future of art in Cumbria. She believes that showcasing such a diverse group of artists helps highlight the creativity and talent found in the region. Derek Eland, one of the artists whose work is on display, said that Rheged has always provided a high-quality platform for contemporary artists in Cumbria, allowing them to exhibit interesting and sometimes challenging pieces. His contributions to the show include paintings of the Lake District and works inspired by his experiences in Ukraine.

The exhibition is free to enter and is open every day until 1 February. Visitors can explore the gallery and see the different styles and ideas presented by the artists. Rheged hopes that the show will attract people from all over and encourage them to appreciate the art and culture of Cumbria. If you have a story suggestion for BBC Cumbria, you can reach out to them. The gallery is proud to honor the artists who have shaped its story and is excited to see what the future holds for art in the area.