An art exhibition with a difference is soon to take place in Beer this month.

Two local artists, Liz Upchurch and Barbara Vidion, are set to hold their first exhibition together at The Bomb Shelter in Beer and will also be raising funds for charity.

Barbara said: “We're each offering a painting for sale by silent auction, all the proceeds from the sales will go to our chosen wildlife charity.”

Liz’s koala bear in watercolours will raise money for Australian Wildlife Conservancy, helping to rehabilitate animals injured during the devastating Australian wildfires of 2020.
Closer to home, Barbara is raising money for East Devon Wildlife Trust with a landscape in acrylics, inspired by her many local walks.

The paintings will be on display from Thursday, July 29, and bids can be left throughout the week with the artwork going to the highest bidders as the exhibition closes.

Liz and Barbara started their journey into art when they joined the School of Art and Wellbeing in Honiton in 2018. “Painting was new to both of us and it's been a very exciting journey.” Explained Liz. “During the 2020/21 Covid lockdowns, we joined up on Zoom every week to paint together. Once restrictions were lifted, we met and painted in Beer. It is such a lovely place and we decided to brave it and have a go at organising our own exhibition.”

The Bomb Shelter, tucked away behind Jimmy Green's shop in Fore Street, is the venue for Liz and Barbara’s first exhibition. “Visitors can see the bomb which fell here and find out about the narrow escape Beer had during the Second World War as well as seeing our paintings.” Barbara said.
“There will be something for everyone at the exhibition with an eclectic mix of art. We’ve had such fun, and have learned so much through painting, we wanted to share our efforts and hope others have pleasure visiting the exhibition”.

The duo’s artwork will be on display at The Bomb Shelter in Beer Village from Thursday, July 29 to Tuesday, August 3, from 10.00am to 4.00pm each day.
For more information contact 07538130660

Sidmouth Herald: Hanging the art ready for the exhibitionHanging the art ready for the exhibition (Image: Contributed)

Sidmouth Herald: Liz and Barbara painting on Beer beachLiz and Barbara painting on Beer beach (Image: Contributed)

Sidmouth Herald: Coast path by Barbara, for sale by silent auction for charityCoast path by Barbara, for sale by silent auction for charity (Image: Contributed)

Sidmouth Herald: Koala by Liz, for sale by silent auction for charityKoala by Liz, for sale by silent auction for charity (Image: Contributed)