THERE will be a celebratory air around Gallery 68 next week as the Ulverston art house reaches its first birthday.

Artists Tina Balmer and Rosie Wates set up Gallery 68 in the town's picturesque Market Street as a three month pop-up, but quickly decided to make it permanent and have not looked back. They showcase and sell paintings, ceramics, jewellery and other works by their stable of established creators, with featured artists and exhibitions at regular intervals. "We get fantastic feedback from our visitors, both locals and outsiders," explains Tina, who lives at Ulverston. "It's not just what we show that they find makes us unique, but they talk about how unusual the space is and how lovely the atmosphere."

Tina and Rosie have ambitious plans for 2020 and beyond. Included will be esteemed Cumbrian painter Fiona Clucas, whose landscapes with birds in different media have landed her many fans far and wide. Fiona's 2020 exhibition features large gouaches and graphite drawings. Other exhibition plans will be announced in the New Year.

Meanwhile, regular contributors include a host of well-known names from the region's art world. Jan Huntley-Peace's eye-catching ceramics and jewellery rub shoulders with Sally Bamber's flower watercolours and Annie Luke Turner's colourful oil and resin abstracts. And, of course, there are works by the two artist-owners: Tina's celebrated sumptuous flower paintings and Rosie's idiosyncratic photo-based abstracts.

All are welcome to help Gallery 68 celebrate its first year on Friday, November 22, between 5pm-7pm. Located at 68, Market Street, open Thursday-Saturday. Also open Sunday, November 24, during the Dickensian weekend.