STROUD based artist, Kerry Phippen, will unveil her latest work from April 28 at Tetbury Goods Shed as part of this year’s Select Festival.

For the first time ever, the Select Festival is coming to Tetbury and the organisers have decided on The Goods Shed as their venue of choice.

Sponsored by Pegasus Art Supplies, Kerry Phippen will exhibit her stunning ink paintings for one month on the freshly painted walls of the brand new Goods Shed, as part of the arts centre’s involvement in the Festival.

The exhibition, The Gentle Wild, will be open for viewings, with free admission, between 11am and 4pm on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from April 28 to May 28.

Inside visitors will find a series of quietly-handled ink and watercolours on paper; portraying horses, deer, foxes and other four-legged beasts. The peaceful execution of Kerry’s work captures the essence and beauty of wildlife and has evolved out of the unspoken connection between humans and animals.

Kerry said: “I am thrilled to be showing this new body of work in the renovated Goods Shed, what a beautiful building and space to show in. I could visualise animals leaping around the room reminiscent of a real carousel or zoetrope.

“My favoured medium is ink and I find that it works beautifully for wild creatures and has a natural flow that must be allowed for and worked with. The paper I am working on is an Indian handmade watercolour paper, made from pure cotton; this is a perfect support for a nature-inspired subject matter.”

Director of the Festival, Lizzi Walton, said: “The Select Festival is delighted to be exhibiting new drawings and paintings by local artist, Kerry Phippen, in the wonderful newly launched Tetbury Goods Shed. Kerry’s work will look absolutely amazing as the wild animals she portrays run free around the walls of the Goods Shed.

“The Festival is showing for the first time in Tetbury this year with open studios, as well as Kerry’s exhibition, and we are very excited to be here.’’ This year’s Select Festival, celebrating the applied arts in the Stroud Valleys, features a programme of exhibitions, theatre and music at the Goods Shed from April 28 to May 29. As well as a number of craft workshops including pattern cutting, print-making, sewing, knitting and needle felting.

On May 6 performance group, Club Cairo presents a celebration of live music and dance from across the Middle East. Produced in association with Artique, Tetbury - the Shed’s interior will be infused with sumptuous fabrics, furnishings and artefacts with real Eastern promise. Tickets cost £15 and include a taste of Middle Eastern food.

And on May 13 Tetbury based violin maker, Daniel Bristow, will perform with his string quartet, Amico, on instruments made by Daniel from the same tree cut down 30 years ago.

Over two weekends (May 6/7 and 13/14), Tetbury will also feature on the Select Trail, when Cotswolds artists open their doors to the public. To find details of the Trail and the many dozens of events taking place go to sitselect.org or pick one up in Tetbury tourist centre or from shops in the town.

More information about The Gentle Wild and all other Select Festival events can be found on shed-arts.co.uk, or from Tetbury Tourist Information Centre.