Last updated 11:39, Wednesday, 18 June 2008

CASTLEGATE House gallery, in Cockermouth, is full of surprises for first time visitors.

Tucked away in off the town’s Main Street, it’s a beautiful, calm space, as well as showing work by some of the most important Cumbrian artists.

Inside the gallery there are always some works by the ‘Cumbrian Greats’ – Sheila Fell, Winifred Nicholson and Percy Kelly – and work by eminent Cumbria-based potters Jim Malone and William Plumptre (pictured), along and porcelain by Ivar Mackay.

Castlegate House is showing new work by Mary Fedden, 93, who gallery owner Chris Wadsworth describes as “a national treasure... She is still painting every day and every visit is a wonderful experience and a privilege.”

There are also new paintings from past Castlegate House exhibitors Jonathan Shearer, Katharine Holmes, Patricia Sadler, Peter Quinn, Marie Scott and Caroline Bailey.

Castlegate House’s garden, which Chris describes as an oasis, is the backdrop, for a display of sculpture. Chris says: “This is a very special garden. People gasp as they discover it for the first time. It is a walled Georgian secret garden and comes as a surprise in the centre of the town.”

Last year Castlegate House raised more than £2,000 through donations for the charity Water Aid.

The exhibition runs until September 15. Castlegate House is open Fridays, Saturdays and Mondays 10.30am-5pm. www.castlegatehouse.co.uk