A TALENTED couple have pooled their talents and created a fabulous new gallery in Cockermouth.

Carlie-Rose and Ben Bush opened the Bridge Gallery in April – and have not looked back.

Proprietor and art curator Carlie-Rose is a video and installation artist and has had her work exhibited across the UK. She has taught for many years and has curatorial experience in artist-led and commercial galleries.

Resident artist Ben is a professional landscape and award-winning astro-photographer and runs local and international photography workshop tours. He has exhibited his work across the UK.

The couple, who live near Wigton, are always keen to give a shout out to their dogs and residents models, Floyd, Red and Luna.

“Opening a gallery has been a life long dream for us both,” said Carlie-Rose.

“The building became available to rent at the beginning of the year and so both being self-employed and struggling through lockdown we felt like we didn’t have much to lose.

“We did up the space ourselves, sanding floors, painting, building the signs and Ben made our beautiful elm gallery desk.”

All of the artists and artisans featuring in the gallery are friends and family – predominantly Cumbrian-based.

“Knowing our artists well means we can represent them and their art with enthusiasm and a good understanding of their practice,” said Carlie-Rose, who hand picks and curates all the pieces – most of which are one of a kind and limited.

“We love Cockermouth. Everyone has been so supportive and encouraging from the moment we moved into the building.”

She loves working surrounded by beautiful pieces. “We both find it hard not to buy everything in the gallery for our own home,” she said.

Whether through subject matter, process or materials, the work honours the outdoor environment and wildlife.

The gallery includes cold wax and oil paintings by Jaqcui Bassett, who paints her Lake District walks entirely from memory, and contemporary lino prints inspired by Castlerigg stone circle by Cockermouth artist, Anne Waggot Knott. There are eco-printed wall hangings by Deborah Dawn of Leaf and star-filled landscape night photography by Ben Bush.

“Our future plans are to continue to collaborate with emerging artists and artisans as well as carve out more time for our own art practices,” said Carlie-Rose.