Following on from the success of Elementum, a literary journal with a focus on natural writing and visual storytelling, Jay Armstrong and her husband, Scott, have opened a brand new gallery in Sherborne.

Best described as a lifestyle gallery and bookshop, the Elementum Gallery stocks a broad range of popular science, nature writing and natural history titles, as well as a carefully chosen selection of children's books.

Based at The Grain Loft on South Street, the gallery also sells art from the likes of Jackie Morris, from The Lost Words. Other artists whose work is on display include the celebrated children's illustrator Catherine Hyde; Lys Stevens, known for her landscapes from the north west of Scotland; sculptor Jennifer Tetlow; and local artist Claire Smith, who works to depict landscapes from the air.

The Elementum Gallery also hosts events with well-known authors and runs a range of creative courses. The next weekend-long writing workshop, Building the Story, takes places on October 12 and 13. It will be led by Christopher William Hill, an award-winning playwright, radio dramatist and children's author who lives in Sherborne.

The Elementum Gallery will exhibit the work of renowned artist and illustrator Neil Gower until Saturday, October 12. His exhibition, As Kingfishers Catch Fire, is based on the literary ornithology he produced of the same name with the author, Alex Preston. The publication is an illustrated exploration of birds in literature, from Ovid to Ted Hughes.

Neil has worked as a freelance graphic artist for more than 30 years, and is best known for his book cover designs, particularly Faber's William Golding titles and, most recently, Bill Bryson's entire backlist. His endpaper maps have embellished the work of authors from Jilly Cooper and Joanne Harris to Kazuo Ishiguro and Jo Nesbo, and Neil has also completed private painting commissions for patrons including Sir Roy Strong and Raymond Blanc.

Neither designer nor illustrator, Neil has successfully carved out a creative niche where the two disciplines merge. He draws and paints by hand in a variety of styles and media, almost always combining word and image. He has contributed to the two latest editions of the Elementum journal, and limited editions of Neil's work will be for sale exclusively throughout the gallery.

The exhibition, As Kingfishers Catch Fire, is open Tuesday to Saturday, 10am until 4pm, until Saturday, October 12.

Elementum Gallery is also one of the very few stockists in the south west of Tom Raffield furniture and lighting. Tom is an artist and designer who works predominantly with wood, using the method of steam bending, which is a low energy and ecological method of manipulating the material. Inspired by his degree in 3D sustainability and design, he founded Tom Raffield Ltd in 2008. The business creates contemporary lighting, furniture and bespoke projects that blend traditional techniques with modern technologies, culminating in a pioneering range of products and design services. From chairs, stools, and tables to ceiling, wall, and floor lights, many of the Tom Raffield products are placed carefully around the Elementum Gallery for visitors to browse and purchase.

With his wife Danielle, Tom took part in Channel 4's Grand Designs, envisaging, designing and building their unique family home in south Cornwall. The couple bought a 19th century grade II-listed gamekeeper's cottage and set about reinventing the space to fit their family and reflect their creativity. The low-impact house blurs the boundaries of nature and home, bringing the outside in and showcasing the impact of the natural world on the imagination.

The independent journal, Elementum, was launched in the summer of 2016 and is now read in more than 30 countries. It has been praised for its quality of content and clean design along with its accessible tone and the contemplative space it offers, as it aims to give the reader space to reflect and absorb ideas, without being distracted by advertising. Underpinning the ethos of the journal is the hope that by better understanding the world around us, we will better understand our place within it and the responsibilities we all have.

Jay Armstrong grew up in Glasgow and studied English Literature at university. She spent seven years as an army officer before deciding to follow more creative pursuits, working as a freelance photographer until family commitments took her to Cornwall. Jay studied for an MA in Professional Writing at Falmouth University, where the idea of developing a collectable journal of nature and story first came to her.

Each edition of Elementum is guided by a different theme, and is published twice a year. Jay now resides in Sherborne with her family.

elementumjournal.com.