AN exhibition championing Northern art is set to go on show at a County Durham community arts venue.

Gallerina is bringing the 20|twenty exhibition to The Witham, in Barnard Castle.

The exhibition celebrates 20 years with twenty paintings commissioned by Gallerina to help champion the North including the landscape, coast, people, streets and talent.

Richard Hindle from Gallerina said: "20 twenty is an exhibition which will launch a year-long series of events and pop-ups helping us to celebrate 20 years in contemporary fine art.

"We are thrilled to be starting our celebrations with The Witham, it is a venue we have enjoyed personally over the years and is a wonderful setting and team of people to help showcase these artists."

One of the artists included in the exhibition is Mark Johnston, who was born in Stockton in 1974, and studied at Newcastle College of Art.

To help celebrate Gallerina’s new location in Darlington, Mr Johnston recently turned to works in oil and ink on paper.

The Witham iterium director Shelagh Avery said: "We are delighted at The Witham to be working closely with Gallerina and so pleased that the 20|twenty exhibition will be here at Barnard Castle’s vibrant arts centre."

The free exhibition will start today and run until August 29, Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 4pm. For more information call 01833-631107, visit thewitham.org.uk or call in.