Paintbrush and camera produce striking exhibition

Town Mayor Cllr Paul Lendon had the pleasure of opening a two-day exhibition featuring the talents of members of Bexhill Artists' Workspace and those of members of Bexhill Photographic Club this morning.

For the artists this was the largest representation yet, with more than 300 works hung in the spacious church.

The result was an exhibition with a commendable and thoroughly enjoyable blend of media, subject matter and individual style.

There were serene and well-executed landscapes, such as Terry Carter's attraction watercolour of Lake Lucerne.

In contrast were the dark shadows of G. Treacy's Under The Archway with its white-bearded, flat-capped figure and its huddled terraced houses.

Some artists are such regular exhibitors that their individual style is instantly recognisable.

Maggie Carpenter's acrylic Highwoods Autumn was typical of her skilled output.

It was one of a memorable series of Highwoods subjects.

All the grace and dynamism of their leaping movement was captured by J. Chambers' Dolphins, executed in brilliant acrylic.

Local views predominated in this exhibition with touches of the exotic from Utah to Turkey.

The photographers, predominantly digital exponents, had conjured up an equally diverse contribution with nearly 40 prints on display.

They ranged from Eyeballed, a striking study of a snake by Ray Barry to the meticulous architectural details of Brian Hazell's Geometric Staircase St Paul's Cathedral.

Prints do not have to be large to be eye-catching. Julian Morley demonstrated this with The Door, a study combining atmosphere and mystery.

David Rossiter's natural history skill was shown by his Adult Night Heron.

Vanessa Parker captured the magic of steam power with her evocative locomotive shot, Anticipating A Journey.

A monochrome amid this sea of colour was bound to stand out. Bob Webb chose his medium well to depict a veteran car.

If anything, this exhibition was an embarrassment of riches. There was so much to see and enjoy that it took an effort of concentration not to let the eye flit, butterfly-like, from subject to subject.

There are opportunities to catch this exhibition this afternoon or tomorrow from noon till 4pm.