A bit like the NationalGallery...only smaller

The event, which continues through to April 4, is called ‘Celebrating Spring’.

The talented artists involved in the project come from all different walks of life and backgrounds and range from aged 3 years to pensioners, ethnic minorities, people with learning disabilities and qualified artists.

This is the eight exhibition organised and curated by local artist Nick Hill who says the idea behind the event is to encourage artists to exhibit their work to give them confidence. “The artists selected have all in some way or other affected me or supported me in pursuing my artistic vocation, which I started seven and a half years ago with a Foundation Course at Hastings College,” he said.

“Some of the artists exhibiting are new and have never shown their work before. One visitor told me his pensioner father had some of his work displayed at the exhibition. He says this has been a positive thing for him and this late discovery for painting has done his father the world of good. And other new artists such as Shon discovered a talent they did not know they possessed.

“The exhibition also met the philosophy of the community centre in getting all sorts of people from different walks of life to get involved together on something with a positive and uplifting outcome. It is great to get the work of children and people with learning disabilities integrated with the rest of the artists without any kind of prejudice.”

The exhibition kicked off with a Private View last Thursday (March 24) and Nick says the evening went well. “I think people in general had a good time and I have had some positive feedback from a wide spectrum of individuals; all commented on the quality and variety of the works on display. “One visiting little girl said, ‘It’s a bit like the National Gallery, only smaller’...‘A lot smaller,’ I answered, but this did make me laugh. “Children have a fantastic way with words sometimes!” www.southwatercommunitycentre.org