ONE one of the most exciting shows of contemporary art in the region, the New Light Prize exhibition opens at The Bowes Museum in Barnard Castle this month.

The biennial open art prize, which comprises a competition and an exhibition, was devised and organised by the charity New Light with the aim of encouraging, celebrating and promoting work by contemporary artists who were born, live or studied in the North.

The top award is the Valeria Sykes Prize, worth £10,000.

The exhibition features all the shortlisted artworks which are available to buy.

Annette Petchey, of New Light, one of the judges, said: "In previous years we have focused on younger artists and emerging talent, but have now removed the upper age limit and opened up the exhibition to all northern artists, whatever stage they are at in their career."

The exhibition opens on Saturday, October 17, and runs until Sunday, February 7, after which it will tour to the Mercer Gallery in Harrogate and the Panter and Hall Fine Art Gallery.

To coincide with the opening, artist Vicky Holbrough and pupils of Ingleton Primary School will use a piece in the exhibition as a starting point to produce a work to be retained at their school.

New Light will also organise workshops and talks for adults interested in acquiring or refining an art-based skill or learning more about buying art. For information, see newlight-art.org.uk.