FIFTEEN of the region's finest artists and makers plus two special guests feature in one of the top crowd-pulling annual events on the visual arts calendar.

Witherslack Artists and Makers Group exhibition opens on Saturday, September 15, in the Old School Room of Barwick Hall.

Cowgill stone letter carver Pip Hall says that a wide range of techniques and processes are represented in their exhibition, which has been running since the early 1990s. "It’s a wonderful mix of the highest quality fine arts alongside the best of local crafts. For some of us, it’s one of very few selling exhibitions in our year and a rare chance to see and buy work by renowned makers such as greenwood chair maker, Paul Girling and sculptor, Martin Copley.”

Another artist featured will be Halecat-based Fiona Clucas, one of the region's most respected painters, renowned for her stunning birdlife images.

Fiona explains that the group has spent a week assembling the show. "The Old School Room has been transformed into a gallery space for the duration of the exhibition. The aim is to put these fine arts and crafts together to create a home environment, giving people ideas for their own spaces as well as showing each piece off at its best."

The work of highly respected artist Martin Greenland will also grave the exhibition. One of the guest artists, Martin won the 2006 John Moores Painting Prize, an illustrious accolade with an impressive list of previous winners, including David Hockney, Patrick Heron, Euan Uglow and Peter Doig.

The other guest is ceramicist, Roger Lewis, whose based near Kirkby Stephen.

"Every year, we try to invite artists and makers whose work we admire,” says Fiona, “and ideally who bring a different strand or style to the exhibition overall. This year is no exception and we’re looking forward to incorporating Roger’s pieces and Martin’s oil paintings into the displays at Witherslack."

The full artist line-up is Luke Atkinson, Jane Bradley, John Calver, Fiona Clucas, Martin Copley, Jacqueline Dobson, Judy Evans, Paul Girling, Pip Hall, Alvin F Irving, Owen Jones, Hans Ullrich, Jo Vincent, DJ Roodhuyzen and Beverley White.

The Witherslack exhibition runs until Sunday, October 14, open daily, 10am-5pm. Barwick Hall, or Old School Room, is alongside St Paul’s Church near Halecat Nurseries and up the hill from the Town End of Witherslack.

Teas will be served in the church during exhibition weekends.

Further information is available online at www.witherslackartistsandmakers.com.