A TRIO of artistic friends are showing their work for the April exhibition at Barnard Castle’s arts centre gallery.
Taking part in Earth and Sky are ceramicists Annette Cole and Carol Metcalfe along with fine art painter Donna Slyfield.
Ms Cole, from Scotton, North Yorkshire, and Ms Metcalfe, who lives near Richmond, have exhibited together for the past decade, and this is the third time they have been joined by Ms Slyfield, from Hurworth, near Darlington.
Ms Slyfield said the exhibition at The Witham came about somewhat by chance.
“We happened to be coming through Barney, popped in and asked about the gallery. It seemed like a really good space – very appealing.”
Ms Cole, a former pharmacist, combines her love of clay and gardening to create bird baths, planters and sculptures.
“I like to use contrasts of texture and colour to make bold statements,” she said.
Ms Metcalfe, who worked as an adult learning tutor, is inspired by the landscape near her North Yorkshire home and texture created by leaves, weed seeds and other objects which are incorporated into her work.
Ms Slyfield, who worked as an art tutor in further education, added: “One of the reasons Carol invited me to join them is that our work complements each others. We are all very intuitive – it sits well together.”
Ms Cole said: “We have very different styles.They don’t clash or compete with each other.”
The selling exhibition is on throughout April and admission to the gallery is free during opening hours at The Witham.
On Saturday, April 9, there is a chance to drop in and meet the artists between 11am and 3pm.
The exhibition at The Witham is one of several they are holding throughout 2022.
Next up is a display featuring Ms Cole and Ms Metcalfe in Bedale, while all three artists will show more of their work at the Station, in Richmond.
