FOR those who ever doubted Abbot Hall Art Gallery's importance on the national stage take note - 2018 is the year that could convince you otherwise, such is the quality and standing of its exhibition programme.

Stretching out over the next 12 months, there is no better time to visit the Kendal gallery with Grayson Perry and Elisabeth Frink among those pencilled into the new, irresistible exhibitions' programme.

Still showing until February 17, are 70 works by more than 40 leading artists such as Henry Moore, Barbara Hepworth, Graham Sutherland, Laura Knight and Edward Burra in the Land Sea Life exhibition; there's work on show by Expressionist artist Hilde Goldschmidt and one of the most influential artists of the 20th Century, Kurt Schwitters; and on display permanently in the Georgian interiors downstairs at Abbot Hall is a selection of works by George Romney, arguably the most fashionable (and greatest) of all 18th Century portrait painters.

Indeed, it is this marriage between modern art and some of the esteemed artists of the past that is one of Abbot Hall's great strengths and attracts people from all corners of the UK and beyond.

This year promises to be a real bobby dazzler.

Exciting emerging artist Katie Spragg sets the pace with a dual exhibition - her digital animation In the Meadow at Abbot Hall and a show of ceramics at Lakeland Arts,' which owns Abbot Hall, sister venue at Bowness, Blackwell, The Arts and Crafts House.

In the Meadow is two minutes 25 seconds of finely honed filmic fascination transporting the viewer into a dreamlike meadow where an unseen creature moves through the grass.

Each blade of grass has been skilfully hand-modelled by Katie.

Pop the headphones on for sound and immerse yourself within Katie's stop-frame animation: clever, playful and extremely engaging.

Birds sing in the background as the mystery creature crunches through the grass.

In the Meadow - which runs until April 28 - opens with a gentle breeze blowing the sun-drenched grass, it rains, then the sun comes out again before darkness descends.

To be frank, you fully expect one of master animator Nick Park's Aardman claymation figures to surface any minute.

Situated alongside In the Meadow is Katie's While Away installation where you recline on a chair to watch grass made of porcelain sway in the wind in a digital film projection angled above the chair.

The idea is to recreate the joyous feeling of lying back in the grass, 'whiling the day away.'

In the adjacent room to where Katie's creations are located, hangs Claude Monet’s Haystacks: Snow Effect. Both Katie's and the illustrious Impressionist's works evoke a sense of wonder about being outside in nature.

Future star Katie says that it's a real privilege for her work to go on show at the same time as Monet. "I hope in some way my art surprises visitors, makes them curious and gives a sense of discovery."

Over at Lakeland Arts' Blackwell, Katie's ceramics show runs until May 10.

Her exhibition showcases eight new responses to Blackwell and the surrounding landscape, alongside six of her existing works previously displayed by the Craft Council Collect at the Saatchi Gallery, Miami Art Week and the British Ceramic Biennial Award show.

London-based Katie spent a week at Blackwell in November and was inspired to create new works based on her experience. "In the mornings Blackwell feels very serene," explains Katie. "The nooks and corners of the house lend themselves to daydreaming, particularly at this time of day. I became interested in how the landscape is framed through the windows of the house and also how nature is brought inside."

Katie graduated with a MA in ceramics and glass at the Royal College of Art in 2016. She has exhibited, held residencies and taught ceramics at institutions both nationally and internationally. Recent achievements include the acquisition of her piece Hedgerow by the Victoria and Albert Museum, highly commended in the Young Masters Emerging Woman Art Prize.

Kerri Offord, Lakeland Arts' head of curatorial at Lakeland Arts, says they are delighted to have not one, but two, venues showing Katie's work. "Ceramic is currently enjoying a resurgence and that is partly due to contemporary artists like Katie choosing this medium for their work. We are particularly excited to exhibit Katie’s new ceramic work inspired by Blackwell and its surrounding environment, alongside her existing pieces which have been shown internationally."

Katie is one of several female artists making a key contribution to Lakeland Arts’ compelling 2018 programme of exhibitions and displays. Others include Patricia MacKinnon-Day and Alison Watt.

The programme links to national celebrations surrounding the Representation of the People Act 1918 which allowed women to vote for the first time in Britain.

The intention is to highlight gender discrimination in the art world.

For further information telephone Lakeland Arts on 01539-722464.