THE Inspired collective of artists and designers is hosting a three-day selling Christmas exhibition for the fifth year in York this week.

After holding the event at Bedern Hall in past years, the organisers have switched to Grays Court, in Chapter House Street, where the show – and tea rooms – will be open from 10am to 5pm, today until Sunday.

The Inspired group of Jo Bagshaw, Petra Bradley, Catherine Boyne-Whitelegg, Adrienne French and Linda Wormald came together a few years ago after completing a Visual Enterprise Scheme from York College. Joined by latest recruit Simon Palmour, they work independently throughout the year but join together for an annual event to coincide with the St Nicholas Fayre, the Christmas market in York.

“The mutual support and camaraderie is always a boon after working solo,” says Catherine.

Heslington jewellery designer Jo Bagshaw has been running her silverware business since completing a degree in metalwork at Sheffield Hallam University. Inspired by everyday objects, vintage items and novelties, she creates pieces that follow simple and elegant lines and shapes. Past commissions include designing and making the crown for the 2005 Miss York competition.

Petra Bradley trained as a costume supervisor in theatre and has collected vintage fabrics ever since, using them to make handmade handbags in screen-printed and fabric ranges. “They’re all original and limited edition, ranging from the sophisticated to fun and funky,” she says.

Catherine Boyne-Whitelegg is the dresser for Berwick Kaler, the indomitable dame in the York Theatre Royal pantomime. In another life, she is a potter, teacher and community artist, based in Heworth, where she can be found up to her elbows in clay when not attending to Berwick’s frocks. Her creative ceramics range from elegant light pink tea pots to stoneware, smoke-fired pigs and unicorns.

Artist Adrienne French paints interpretations of landscapes, based on observations and memory of time spent in the northern areas of Pakistan, travels to Ethiopia, Spain, Italy and the North York Moors and Dales. “They’re colourful pieces reminiscent of the Impressionists but with a modern twist,” she says.

Linda Wormald paints provocative and energetic contemporary works in acrylics and oils emphasising the vibrancy in natural landscapes and floral gardens.

After exhibiting at Grays Court in the summer, Inspired’s newest recruit, Simon Palmour, returns with another collection of monochrome photographs of the evocative Yorkshire Wolds.

The Inspired Christmas 2011 show offers the chance to meet and talk with the artists and designers, view their latest works and buy Christmas gifts, with ten per cent of proceeds going to St Leonard’s Hospice in York.

Admission is free.