Council House showcases local contemporary art

A new exhibition of local contemporary artwork has gone on display at the Council House.

The exhibition is the fifth in the ‘Council House Art’ programme, hosted by Plymouth City Council in partnership with Plymouth College of Art, Plymouth University and the University of St Mark and St John to showcase the diverse talent of local artists.

It features work by five artists taking part in the national Artist Access to Art (AA2A) scheme through Plymouth University (Tabatha Andrews, Sally Hall, Kayleigh Hill, Gabrielle Hoad and Lee McDonald), as well as three of the university’s students (Rachael Allain, Jamie Morrison and Luke Walder).

AA2A gives visual artists and designers the opportunity to use specialist workshops, facilities and equipment in fine art and design departments of higher and further education institutions. This benefits not only the practising artists but also the students who are able to work alongside them.

It is funded by Arts Council England through the National Lottery Grants for the Arts programme, as well as contributions from the individual institutions. Since 1999 over 1,600 people have taken part.

The Council House Art exhibition will be open to the public on Friday 29 August between midday and 2pm and one of the artists will be on hand to talk about the pieces on display. They include digital and photographic prints, sculptures, works on canvas, film strips and video stills.

There will also be a reception between 4pm and 5.30pm on Friday 29 August, where members of the public can meet the artists and Councillor Chris Penberthy, Cabinet Member for Co-operatives and Community Development, who has supported the project with his community grant.

Councillor Penberthy said: “This is the fifth exhibition of locally produced work that we’ve been able to host in the Council House. Showcasing local practising artists highlights to Plymouth and beyond the substantial emerging talent that we have in the city. I hope that people take an opportunity to visit this exhibition before it closes at the end of the month.”

Admission to the open art show is free and there is no need to book. For more information about the Council House Art programme visit http://councilhouseart.wordpress.com/