A MAJOR exhibition of Devon and Cornwall artists begins today in Tavistock when the Drawn to the Valley collective holds its Tavistock Annual Summer Exhibition.

The exhibition is at Butchers’ Hall from August 3-7 (10am – 4.30pm), when around 100 of the group’s artists will be showing and selling their work.

Visitors can expect to see art in all its forms and mediums, from painting, printmaking, metals, and textiles, to assemblage, jewellery, glass, and ceramics.

Among those exhibiting is international selling artist Laure Bury, from Mary Tavy. Laure was one of the founding members of Drawn to the Valley when it was launched by a group of artists in and around the Tamar Valley in 2003. Her colourful impressionistic oil paintings on canvas reflect the nature and wildlife on her doorstep.

Tavistock couple Gill and Andy Cairns are among a number of artists from the town who will also be showing their art. Their work is diverse: Gill is a collage, mixed media, textiles, and watercolour artist, while Andy works in assemblage, often using old, weathered materials that bring their own histories to the pieces.

Chair of Drawn to the Valley, Sue Coleman, said: ‘Our artists love exhibiting at Butchers’ Hall, it’s such a wonderful space, and we know that visitors to the exhibition enjoy it too. There will be lots of different types of art for them to see and it is a good opportunity to buy a unique piece of work that has been created by a local artist or maker.’

Some of the exhibitors are also taking part in Drawn to the Valley’s Open Studios from August 27 to September 4 – including Laure, Gill, and Andy.

Around 70 artists are taking part in the art trail, which stretches up the Tamar Valley on both sides of the river, from Plymouth and Rame on the south coast, up to Mary Tavy and Launceston at the top of the trail.

As last year, some of the artists are joining with others to offer a range of art in shared studios, with a cluster of these happening in Tavistock. Also in the West Devon area, art lovers can visit open studios in Yelverton, Lewdown, Lydford, and in Longcross, where ceramicist Corinne Wright is opening up her pottery and studio.

Visit the Drawn to the Valley website for information on the events, the artists, and the locations. A digital brochure for Open Studios will be added to the website ahead of the event at www.drawntothevalley.com