ONE of Abbot Hall Art Gallery's many major successes during the past few decades was its Sublime Inspiration exhibition.

Hard to believe it was way back in June 1997.

During the reign of then gallery director Edward King, the exhibition was organised alongside the Alpine Club and designed to appeal to both those interested in art and those who loved the fells and mountains.

What a buzz it created.

Awe inspiring images were aplenty - many paintings by John Ruskin and Edward Lear plus the amazing photography of Bisson Freres, Vittorio Sella, and the Abraham brothers.

It was also the first time I came face-to-face with the jaw dropping Turner masterpiece The Passage of the St Gothard from the Kendal gallery's own collection.

Good old JMW rendered me speechless with the power, drama and sheer genius of his composition.

Also among the exhibits was a mountainous work by Julian Cooper; again I was captivated.

This year sees Julian's paintings make a welcome return to the distinguished walls of Abbot Hall with a solo show opening on April 7.

I couldn't be more chuffed, and so is chief executive of Lakeland Arts - which owns Abbot Hall, Blackwell and Kendal's Museum of Lakeland Life and Industry - Gordon Watson.

"We're delighted to look back and celebrate over 50 years of painting by well known Cumbrian artist Julian Cooper who will be 70 this year," says Gordon. "Cooper’s monumental paintings will reflect the artist’s travels in the Lake District and all over the world, including Peru, Tibet, the Alps and Carrara in Italy."

As well as Julian's must-see exhibition there's plenty of others to view in Lakeland Arts' artistic pipeline and Gordon says they're looking forward to welcoming all to a lively programme of new exhibitions and events.

"We start the year at Abbot Hall on Friday (January 13) with George Shaw: My Back to Nature," explains Gordon. "The exhibition is of new works created over two years during his residency at the National Gallery, where he was associate artist, from 2014-2016.

"Paintings featuring woodlands have a particular appeal for Shaw as they resonate with his own experience of walking in the forest near his home town. Shaw’s time at the National Gallery allowed him to investigate his fascination with mythological landscapes. Typically Shaw paints on board using Humbrol enamel, the paint of choice for model makers, deliberately distancing himself from the traditions of oil painting on canvas. Shaw was nominated for the Turner Prize in 2011 and has exhibited widely in the UK and internationally.

"A wonderful treat for Kendal is that the National Gallery has agreed to lend to Abbot Hall three historical works that inspired George Shaw during his residency: Piero del Pollaiuolo, Apollo and Daphne; Nicolas Poussin, Nymph with Satyrs, about 1627 and John Constable, Cenotaph to the Memory of Sir Joshua Reynolds, 1833-6.

"Just over a year ago the devastating floods affected local people’s homes and businesses and parts of Abbot Hall were also damaged. We're doing the building repairs this winter and are determined to open the new café and visitor facilities before Easter so once again visitors can enjoy lunch and afternoon tea in the historic hall."

The Museum of Lakeland Life and Industry, at Abbot Hall, is a treasure trove of historic, quirky and beautiful objects. "This year we'll be showing special exhibitions on the history of walking and climbing from the early climbing pioneers and the politics of the right to roam to the modern walkers and climbers who flock to the Lake District today," continues Gordon. "Walking and Climbing opens on March 7, followed by Folk Art, on September 16."

Meanwhile, Blackwell, the Arts and Crafts House, at Bowness, will be showing The Light Within by the Glass Cyphers from February 10, featuring artists Griet Beyaert and Paul Miller, who will bring together fine glass sculpture and digital technology.

Finally, Gordon points out that LA's determined to open the new café and visitor facilities before Easter so once again visitors can enjoy lunch and afternoon tea in the historic hall.