ALMOST 200 invited guests attended the opening of the Tavistock Annual Art Exhibition in the town hall, which showcased the works of 60 talented members of the Drawn to the Valley group.

Celebrating ten years of art in the valley, the ?rst chairman of the group, Ian Heard, opened the exhibition. Also attending was Tavistock deputy mayor Cllr John Sheldon and his wife, Maggie, who said they both 'thoroughly enjoyed' the local artwork and meeting the artists.

The exhibition is one of the most comprehensive collections of local original mixed media art by Tamar Valley artists and is the precursor event leading up to Open Studios on August 31 to September 8, when 101 members open their studios to the public. 

Drawn to the Valley, which has more than 160 members, was formed by the artists themselves as a support network and to promote the Tamar Valley by bringing the area of natural beauty to life through art.

To learn more about the artists, the Open Studios event and to see a copy of the Open Studios directory visit http://www.drawntothevalley.co.uk">www.drawntothevalley.co.uk or email Sarah-Jane Lincoln [email protected]">[email protected]