In the dark days of midwinter, Sanctuary Studio and Gallery in Newnham presents an illuminating exhibition of artworks with stories at their heart. The collection begins with imagined landscapes, where flowers bloom and wonderous creatures play, drawing the viewer into painterly scenes of possibility and magic.

Astrig Akseralian’s dreamlike paintings of ourselves with our companion animals will hang alongside Vanessa Wilson’s intriguing portraits of people and faraway places. Dawn Stacey conjures up colourful visions of birds, flowers and butterflies in images that reference her love of tapestry and decorative frescoes, while Perienne Christian brings memory, dreams, and observation together in layered stories of the land.

The enigmatic art of still life defines Kirsten Elswood’s paintings, while Clare Duguid’s drawings explore the quiet watchfulness of our ancient trees. Pennie Lordan’s artworks present us with a series of intriguingly cinematic rural and urban scenes, and Frances Clark-Stone’s mysterious landscapes invite us on moonlit walks along lanes and coastlines, and even into and under the sea.

Accompanying these painters are three artists working in the medium of handmade print: linocuts by Patricia Homewood explore what she calls ‘slow legends’ and the social narratives that link us to each other and the past. Sarah Targett reframes everyday objects in odd and witty contexts that include tiny finches and leaping tigers, and illustrator Charlotte Farmer applies her love of colour and nonsense to the curious portraiture of cowboys, coffee tins and postage stamps.

Ceramics include clay sculptures by Jean Tolkovsky, inspired by classic fairy tales and nursery rhymes, with illustrated pots by Gail Altschuler and jewellery by Uschi Arens Price.

Together, this collection of paintings, prints and studio pottery promises to enhance the season of wonder and imagination, with prices to suit every gifting budget.

You can see Storytime from November 15 to December 24 at The Sanctuary Studio & Gallery, High Street, Newnham-on-Severn.