A tiny gallery that is a work of art in itself will play host to the talents of Cornish creators when it opens as the county's smallest exhibition space next month.

The Boat Shed Gallery at Glendurgan is inspired by the upturned coble fishing boats on the island of Lindisfarne near to where its designer Matthew Walmsley lives, which are used as sheds by fishermen to store nets and other equipment.

As well as being a sculpture, the Boat Shed contains an unexpected hidden space, where audiences are encouraged to enter and experience an art exhibition.

Matthew has selected artists working in Cornwall for the exhibition Life by the Sea and Coastal Change, inspired by seaside living and Cornish coastal life in times of cultural and environmental change. The twelve artists selected for this exhibition are: Lucy Williamson, Paul Ryan, Warren Clayburn, David Wills, Susan Bovington, Bo Jeffares Sekine, Susan Haslam, Jilly Frank, Annabel Beckett, Charles Fox, Jon Todd and Marc Day.

The selected artists represent a diversity of artistic styles from abstract to representational artworks in varied mediums, and some of the work has been specially produced for the exhibition. The artists are at various stages of their artistic careers, some living in Falmouth, Mawnan Smith and Durgan, and all inspired by time working in Cornwall.

Matthew Walmsley’s is a sculptor, whose installations incorporate and adapt objects and architectural spaces, created with a playful and humorous dynamic. His works are designed to surprise and intrigue the viewer, encouraging the audience to investigate, physically interact and explore within the work

The event is organised and funded by the AHRC Troubled Waters – Reaching Out project with Dr. Bryony Onciul at Exeter University and in partnership with the National Trust.

Life by the Sea & Coastal Change is at Glendurgan Garden near Mawnan from August to October, open from 10.30am to 5.30pm daily except Mondays, costs £9 for adults and £4.50 for children.