Sidmouth Society of Artists are able to reflect upon a particularly successful Festival of Art this July.

Spread over two weeks, the exhibition boasted 180 framed paintings on display, together with 60 unframed paintings and 40 3-D works of art.

There is an enormous amount of work involved in the planning and setting up of a large exhibition of this kind, and the Society is indebted to members of the sub-committee so ably headed by Sarah Bevan.

For the first time, categories of work were sub-divided to a new formula comprising four subjects: landscape/seascape, portrait (including animals), abstract and 3-D.

Kennaway House are to be congratulated on providing such a splendid venue, and the standard of art on display was, in my view, even higher than in recent years.

This is an opinion endorsed by the heavy footfall and the buoyant volume of sales.

Cherry-Picking

The Best in Show exhibit adjudged by prominent local artist Ray Balkwill was by Sidmouth artist Cherry Ferris, who received the prestigious Marion Ovens Plate for her work, The Spirit of the Hare.

Voice of the People

Perhaps the most refreshing happening was the result of the People’s Vote: the work of Lucie Sivier-Voller. At 18 years of age it is astonishing that her exhibit, Freezeframe#3, showed such maturity and abundant talent. It obviously made a great impression on the public. May her career continue to blossom.

Why not join SSA? Visit www.sidmouthsocietyofartists.com for more information.