AN arts project in Stockton will hold its first exhibition at the town's Green Dragon Museum.

The work, by members of the Phoenix Arts Project, will be on display until July 26.

Entitled Fishing for Clouds, it is the result of months of work by about 20 people with mental health problems who use day or community mental health services in Stockton.

The group worked with professional artists on paintings, poetry, sculpture and photography as part of Cleveland Art's Articulate Project, which is funded by the Health Action Zone (HAZ) Innovation Fund and Northern Rock Foundation.

Sue Cowan, occupational therapist with Tees and North East Yorkshire NHS Trust, said: "Art is one of the many therapies we can use to help people explore their mental health problems, and our clients have gained such a lot from working with the different artists provided by Cleveland Arts.

"The whole project has given them a tremendous confidence boost, but to see their work on show at the museum will be a big thrill for everyone involved in the Phoenix Art Project."

Tomorrow members of the group, their friends, and local mental health workers will hold a party at the museum to mark the exhibition, and anyone interested in Fishing For Clouds or the Phoenix Art Project is invited to join them between 1pm and 3pm.

Cleveland Arts plans to produce a book of some of the work by the Phoenix Art Project, and some examples are already on show on its website dedicated to the scheme www.articulate.org.uk.