Snappers and artists delight with Festival exhibition

In support of St Peter's Patronal Festival, both groups mustered arrays of members' work that made compelling, absorbing and rewarding study.

The exhibition opened this morning and runs until tomorrow afternoon.

There was much for visitors such as Town Mayor Cllr Patrick Douart and his wife and Mayoress Maureen to enjoy before His Worship formally declared the exhibitions open yesterday.

There were half a dozen photographs among the 55-item contribution by Bexhill Artists' Workspace, proving that among their membership they have masters of both media.

But it was the watercolours and acrylics which predominated in this two-day exhibition, with other media including oil, charcoal, pastel and mixed media.

Paul Ramage's oil Wish You Were Here was a striking Twenties street scene was Iris Wells' Philadelphus was an outstanding flower study.

This was an exhibition rich in variety of subject matter and approach. J. Chambers' charming Naughty Girl showed a tot lifting her skirt to a little boy with his face hidden in his hands.

Eleanor Harding's Spirals was an intriguing monoprint while Terry Carter had a selection of his favoured landscape watercolours on display, including a study of Lake Lucerne.

Michael Irish employed mixed media for Manor Gardens but watercolour for Seaside Chimneys.

Sylvia Bowdler used the delicacy of watercolour for her Wisteria study and but acrylic for her seated nude.

Bexhill Photographic Club's 125-print exhibition was displayed by author, giving the viewer opportunity to take in the diversity of some workers' subject and approach.

Meanwhile, the club's pin-sharp digital projection equipment was giving a continuous slide show on the stage.

Peter Jalfon-Unsworth's Face In The Woods proved to be a clever piece of digital manipulation to produce an intriguing mirror-image.

Norman King gained Print of the Year title for his exquisite bronze relief close-up.

His Stockton Steps was a monochrome study of light and shadow.

Also in monochrome was Bob Webb's double entendre Bygone Era veteran car rally scene.

Ray Noble had gone in close to nature for Foxglove Patterns while Mike Pethen posed the question Graffiti '“ Art Or Vandalism?

Julie Willard's group of studies demonstrated the art of getting in close and keeping composition simple.

Sometimes its the title which makes the picture. Three geese and a gosling in line-ahead? On Parade, according to Nicky Plumb; Otterly Marvellous according to Alastair Hazell with his pair of otters.

Vanessa Parker's Wild Cat fairly spat off the display '“ ear's flattened, whiskers bristling and teeth bared. Like her Barn Owl, it demonstrated effective use of differential focus.

Brian Reeve's group typified his command of natural history subjects with works like Broad Bodied Chaser and Alpine Coltsfoot.

Julian Morley captured Honfleur in a reflective night study.

Taking advantage of the new display format, David Rossiter contributed six exquisite floral studies.

Yet another stunning joint exhibition by the two local groups '“ one which deserved to have pleased not only patronal festival visitors but a far wider town centre audience.