‘Our Country Lives’ is an outdoor art installation at Bowlees Visitor Centre in Teesdale. Produced by Joanne Coates, it is a culmination of over 50 young people’s work to explore issues that are important to them through photography, collage, writing and drawing.

The resulting work is a unique insight into the everyday life of young people in rural communities. It offers a rare glimpse through the eyes of the youth. The participants were encouraged to make pictures of what is important to them. Joanne is an award-winning artist based in the rural north of England, her work focuses on rurality and class.

Photographs taken by participants in the project have been printed on mesh and strung between trees. The technique allows natural light to filter through the images. The installation will be on-site from Saturday 23 April to Tuesday 21 June at Bowlees Visitor Centre. Car parking is available at Bowlees. For more information on the centre’s opening times and facilities please see our website.

With thanks to the landowner Raby Estates. Thanks also to the co-creators from Bowes Hutchinson Primary School, Cotherstone Primary School, Teesdale Secondary School and Upper Teesdale Agricultural Support Services Youth Club.

Share your thoughts and pictures through our social media channels using #OurCountryLives, #TeesSwale and #northpenninesaonb

Produced as part of the Tees-Swale: naturally connected programme. Tees-Swale is delivered by the North Pennines AONB Partnership and the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority and is funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Managed by Beam, Creatively Connected is supported using public funding by The National Lottery through Arts Council England.