The Rheged art gallery in Penrith is commemorating its 25th anniversary with a special exhibition featuring works by 25 artists from across Cumbria. The exhibition, titled "Twenty Five Onwards," showcases a diverse collection of artistic mediums including painting, photography, sculpture, ceramics, and textiles.

The anniversary show brings together both established and emerging artists who have connections to the gallery's history. Many of the featured artists have previously exhibited their work at Rheged, while others have been selected as rising talents in the regional art scene. The exhibition draws inspiration from the gallery's inaugural show 25 years ago, which was called "Twelve" and featured works by a dozen artists.

According to gallery organizers, the exhibition aims to "honor the incredible artists who have been a key part of our story so far." Curator Claire Harrison emphasized the dual nature of the celebration, stating, "This exhibition is both a celebration of the past and an exciting look ahead to the future of art in Cumbria."

Among the participating artists is Derek Eland, who praised Rheged's commitment to supporting contemporary artists in the region. Eland noted that the gallery has "never shied away from giving contemporary artists in Cumbria a high-quality platform to exhibit interesting and sometimes challenging work." His contributions to the exhibition include traditional Lakeland paintings as well as pieces created following his time spent in Ukraine.

The "Twenty Five Onwards" exhibition is free to enter and runs daily until February 1st. The anniversary show represents not only a milestone for the Rheged gallery but also serves as a testament to the vibrant artistic community that has flourished in Cumbria over the past quarter-century.