TWO artists are taking art to the people by displaying their work in a shopping centre.

Charlie Parker, from Durham, and Carolyn Whittaker, of Beamish, have turned an empty shop in Durham's Milburngate Shopping Centre into a temporary gallery that is open on Saturdays.

People can browse around, see the artists at work, talk to them and buy pieces.

The gallery, next to the Holland and Barrett health store, was opened this year by the Durham Visual Arts Group, of which the pair are members, and they decided to keep the project going.

Mr Parker, a nurse, whose work is a mix of originals and prints and includes scenes of local landmarks, said: "We are trying to increase access to the arts. There is very little representation of public art in Durham, and there are very few places where people can come, look and buy.

"We have had some good, positive feedback from people and they are the kind of people you would not normally associate with art galleries.''

Mrs Whittaker, a teacher, whose work includes landscapes and interiors, said: "It is great if people want to buy, but if they just want to look around, at least it gives them an insight into what goes on.''

The pair, who are available for commissions, hope to run the gallery until October.

Published: 16/08/2004