SWINTON Park at Masham is clearing its walls of portraits to exhibit contemporary works by some of today’s most respected and collected Northern artists. Now in its third year, the event has become a highlight of the summer calendar as, for two months, Ripon-based charity, New Light, celebrates the range and quality of art being produced by leading Northern painters and printmakers.

The exhibition features artworks from acclaimed Cumbria-based artist Alan Stones, leading contemporary landscape painter James Naughton, Swaledale-born Ed Kluz, award-winning Yorkshire landscape and wildlife artist Emerson Mayes, Shipley-based printmaker Sarah Harris and Genevieve Pennington from Lancashire

The exhibition is hosted by Lord and Lady Masham and runs from June 21 to August 16, with the exception of July 23 when it is closed.

Annette Petchey, of New Light, said: “We are delighted that Swinton Park has given us the opportunity to replace their old masters with the work of so many great artists working in the North today.

"All the work will be for sale with a percentage of the proceeds going towards our Art for All projects. This year, that includes placing an artist in a primary school in County Durham to produce a work of art with all the pupils and staff. The project also includes visits to the Bowes Museum so that children can see the North’s amazing visual heritage at first hand and visit the New Light Prize Exhibition.”

The Call for Entries for the 2015 New Light Prize Exhibition is open until July 31; find out more at newlight-art.org.uk.