An annual art exhibition is launching today, displaying the works of over 50 artists from across the north-east.
Artaboyne, now in its 12th year will open today at the Victory Hall featuring a variety of work from paintings to sculptures.
The committee have spent the last 12 months organising the show, and yesterday, chairwoman, Sue Thornton said both she and the committee were very happy to see this year’s exhibition come together.
She said: “The committee work all year long, meeting once a month in anticipation for the event. It takes a long time to decide on the artists we are going to invite in particular as we like to do something different every year.
“Artaboyne has been running for about 12 years now and this year, and being the chairwoman, I am very excited to get this year’s show underway after seeing all the hard work that has gone into it.
“Especially as you never know the art work you’re going to get, so seeing it all come in for the show is like Christmas.”
Mrs Thornton has been chairwoman of the group since October, previously being the manager for the Milton art gallery for 15 years.
A number of her works will also feature in this year’s display.
Whilst Mrs Thornton appreciated that art work might not be a top priority for people this year, she said just coming to the exhibition “feeds the soul.”
She said: “I’d like people to come along, and I know the area is having a hard year with the economy, and I’m sure art may be the last thing people want to spend your hard earned cash on, but just come along and see the show, I believe art feeds the soul.
“It is also incredible that every year we find new artists from the north-east with fantastic talents that have not been involved in the show before.
“At first we only hang half of the work, and then we switch it over during the show, people are also able to buy off the work which means the work is being renewed all the time.”
The exhibition will run at the hall until August 13 from 10am-8pm.
