THE show will go on for a plucky group of artists whose creative home has been wrecked by fire.

Kendal’s Green Door Studios artists’ Highgate studio space was gutted by a blaze on February 19, destroying a lifetime’s work for some of Lakeland’s finest creative talents.

Despite the cripping blow, GDS artists are back in the frame with the race on to gather as much artwork as possible for their Green Door Sprung Open exhibition, which runs at Farfield Mill Arts and Heritage Centre’s flagship Howgill Gallery from Saturday (March 13).

The Georgian Highgate property - which also housed the local Conservative Association - was the hub of Green Door Studios, a collective of 85 painters, printmakers, ceramicists and other visual creators.

The blaze wiped out countless paintings and other pieces of art as well as the studio space of 13 of the artists, leaving them with nowhere to work.

GDS artist and one of its founders Jill Pemberton said she had lost 20 years of work.

Community artist and single mum Donna Campbell was another affected. All her tools, materials and portfolio were destroyed.

GDS chairman Paul Clark lost all his paintings, but has managed to salvage a video piece for the Farfield show.

Paul echoed the gratitude felt by all the artists at the offers of help that they had received since the fire, which had been quite overwhelming.

He said: “We’re greatly heartened by the immediate support shown by many in the area, especially the support from South Lakeland District Council, and Kendal College, who responded rapidly to the tragedy. The offer of a regeneration grant from SLDC to help each artist is also greatly appreciated.”

Elizabeth Eaton, the Farfield’s Exhibitions and Audience Development manager said that work was flooding in for the exhibition: “Thirty-five artists have expressed an interest in taking part, although it remains to be seen whether any of those who lost their complete studios in the fire will be able to produce something at such short notice.”

Elizabeth and Farfield trustee Jennifer Smith are selecting the work and the centre will be donating any commission earned on sales on the night to the newly-established Green Door Rising Fund.

The Highgate studio space has been the GDS home since artists Jill Pemberton, Fiona Clucas, Donna Campbell, Catherine MacDiarmid and Trish Adcock got together in the winter of 1995.