A NEW exhibition is set to shine light on Northern Art.

A total of 72 artists have been selected to take part in the New Light Prize Exhibition at The Bowes Museum, in Barnard Castle.

The exhibition features paintings, sculpture, prints and drawings with pieces ranging from hyper-real portraits to gritty urban scenes.

Selected artists were chosen from more than 2,200 entries by several art experts and those shortlisted will be in the running for the £10,000 Valeria Sykes Award; a Patron’s Choice Award of £2,500, Printmakers’ Prize and Emerging Artist Award.

The exhibition opens on Saturday, November 18 at the museum, where it will run until January before touring the UK.

Harrogate artist and CEO Emerson Mayes, said: “The common thread through all we do is a deep belief that the visual arts matter and the North of England deserves to be celebrated."

"We also look to highlight those artists who demonstrate exceptional application of practised skills and who are so often overlooked in other competitions.”