The annual Sidmouth Society of Artists’ exhibition is up and running at Kennaway House, continuing until Thursday 11th July.

A total of very nearly 300 works of art are on display including oils, acrylics, gouache, watercolours, ink, pastel and pencil and featuring a good selection of 3D exhibits.

At the preview a throng of enthusiastic invited guests marvelled at the standard of the works on display, enhanced, dare I say, with a glass or two of Bucks Fizz.

Subject matter

On display there are gorgeous depictions of Sidmouth seafront, its promenade, beaches and cliffs; portraits, still life studies, landscapes, seascapes, abstracts and some thrilling highly individual studies of animals, birds and plant life: (perhaps thrilling is a bit strong for plant life-discuss!). This year Lindsay Pickwell (the perfect name under the circumstances), proprietor of the Southwest Art Shop in Old Fore Street, was invited to judge the ‘Best in Show’ and chose the talented young artist Lucie Sivier-Vollers, who was duly presented with the Marion Ovens award for the second successive year, she really is a bit special methinks.

The right surroundings

Sidmouth Society of Artists are fortunate to have the use of Kennaway House, it is spacious, light and airy and always pristine: indeed, it is exactly what is needed to present the Society’s offerings in the best light.

The next generation

This year an invitation was extended to Sidmouth College and as a result there are three impressive exhibits from 17-year-old sixth formers. This is a constructive idea, building a bridge whereby talented youngsters do not abandon art when they leave school but rather join the SSA. The committee and members are to be congratulated for putting together a very impressive exhibition, a true Festival of Art. For further information about the SSA please visit our website www.sidmouthsocietyofartists.co