The 2017 programme marked the start of the Gillian Dickinson North East Young Sculptor Award and its inaugural winner Dan Gough, whose winning proposal to create 'Scurry' an installation of 2000 ceramic red and grey squirrels, became one of the most popular artworks at Cheeseburn.
I invited Northumbrian sculptor Fred Watson to produce his first solo exhibition for many years at the Stables Gallery and Mike Collier drew together a group of artists who all made new work which responded to birdsong including sound installations and performances led by Bennett Hogg with glass artist Ayako Tani.
The sculptures in the gardens continued to expand to include Laura Johnston's dichroic glass installation and Alex Devereux's scale portrayal of the hinge from Tyne Bridge welcomed increasing numbers of visitors.
