A FREE exhibition highlighting how Dartmoor’s wild places have inspired former prisoners and people going through addiction recovery is being shown at Princetown Visitor Centre.

Curated by Rite to Freedom , the exhibition brings together a range of works including collaborations with professional filmmakers, artists, photographers, musicians, composers, poets and writers.

Presented in collaboration with Dartmoor National Park Authority, English Heritage and a number of arts organisations and communities, Rite to Freedom's exhibition centres around the importance of creativity and the natural world, and how both support people’s mental health and wellbeing.

Established in 2008, Rite to Freedom has supported hundreds of people through the criminal justice system as well as those in long-term addiction recovery.As well as celebrating the success of Rite to Freedom’s charitable work, the exhibition also marks the beginning of their next venture as a social enterprise supporting health and wellbeing across the Dartmoor community – complete with a new name: ‘Creative Pathways. Nature. Arts. Wellbeing.’

Caspar Walsh, exhibition curator and former Creative Director for Rite to Freedom, said: “This exhibition celebrates and marks the end of 16 years amazing work as an award-winning charity. We are beyond proud of the many achievements and milestones of Rite to Freedom.

“My own work as an artist finally found its true place among the many talented participants and professionals we’ve worked with over the years. This is a fraction of what we've created, charting the powerful healing journeys of everyone involved. Here's to the next chapter in our collective work as a social enterprise serving the wider Dartmoor community."

The wild and windswept environment of Dartmoor has been a central focus of Rite to Freedom’s work in particular the atmospheric Bronze Age settlement of Grimspound where remains of 24 roundhouses stand inside a massive boundary wall of around 150-metres.

Claire Partridge, Dartmoor National Park Authority’s Visitor Centre and Outreach Officer, said: “We’re delighted to be showing this exhibition. From musicians and singers to painters to writers, Dartmoor’s beauty has been a source of inspiration to many. The works shown will help people understand how the landscape has helped those on their own personal journeys, reaffirming its position as a place of evocative beauty and personal connection.”

First designated in 1951 Dartmoor National Park is the largest and highest upland in southern Britain. It is of international importance for its Bronze Age archaeology, blanket bogs, upland heaths and oak woods, and of national importance for its valley mires, Rhôs pasture and grass moor.

With 734km public rights of way and 46,000 hectares of open access land it is home to a variety of wildlife and habitats. It is particularly noted for rare lichens, butterflies and other insects, some of which are so rare they can only be found on Dartmoor.Dartmoor National Park Authority works in partnership with communities, local authorities, businesses and other organisations to look after this special landscape and promote its conservation and enjoyment.