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Creatively Connected exhibition
30 July 2026
Creatively Connected exhibition at Bowlees Visitor Centre
30 July 2026
Exhibition runs from Friday 7 August – Wednesday 2 September 2026
Across the hay meadows, hedgerows, waterways and hillsides of Teesdale and Swaledale, farming has shaped the landscape for generations, in its wildflowers, birdsong and biodiversity. This way of farming to support nature to thrive has been described as high nature value farming.
The Creatively Connected exhibition brings together the processes and work of five artists.
From September 2024 to October 2025 the artists spent time in conversation with farmers, conservationists and communities across the area, through workshops, site visits, events and other activities.
Together they explored the relationship between farming and nature. Their work considers what this relationship means today and how it might look, sound and feel like now and in the future. The work on display at Bowlees Visitor Centre is the result of that enquiry – a creative response that has been shaped by listening, exploring and working alongside the people who care for this place.
Images: Creatively Connected event (c) Claire Collinson Photography; Wearing the uplands (c) Laura Harrington; Wildflower botanical survey (c) Matt Denham
This exhibition is part of Creatively Connected, a creative arts programme led by the North Pennines National Landscape team in partnership with Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, through the Tees-Swale: naturally connected programme. It was made possible with funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, with thanks to National Lottery players and supported by Arts Council England. Creatively Connected is produced by Northern Heartlands.
Header image: Yellow Rattle (c) Matt Denham
