ARTISTS and photographers will be showcasing their work at a new four-day art festival with the theme "journeys".
Paintings, pastels, needlecraft pieces and stained glass will be among the art on show at the free exhibition at St Mary Magdalene's and Parochial Church Hall, in The Square, Keyworth.
More than 40 amateur and professional artists will be part of the Four Seasons Art Festival which is due to take place from Thursday, July 10, until Sunday, July 13, and has been organised to coincide with Keyworth Village Show on the Saturday.
Festival organiser and lay reader at the church Diana Jones wanted to celebrate the talent of local creative community while welcoming people into the church.
The 64-year-old has lived in Keyworth for more than 40 years and was a teacher at both South Wolds Academy, in Church Drive, and Fernwood Junior School, Arleston Drive, Wollaton.
She said: "I have always been involved in the arts in particular dance, theatre and singing. It seemed like a good idea to help to promote local artists while encouraging people to come into the church, because sometimes people can find it hard to step through the door.
"But it's important that we are here for the community and that they know that. If we aren't interested in the community then why should they be interested in us?"
As well as the journey-inspired photography display – which encourages artists to either explore physical travelling adventures or more personal journeys – there will also be a "bunting exhibition" in which residents' photos which depict summer will be hung around the church.
Kids have been encouraged to get involved by taking part in a "my holiday" photo exhibition.
Mrs Jones said: "I can't draw at all but I am getting involved by bringing along an old picture of us with our boys at a pebbled beach."
The event will run from 10am until 4.30pm on Thursday and Friday, 9.30am to 4.30pm on Saturday and 11.30am to 4pm on Sunday. Refreshments including tea, coffee and cake will be available each day.
All profits will go towards the church "Fabric Fund" which goes towards the upkeep of the church, including the maintenance of its historic spire, affectionately known as the 'coffee pot'.
Mrs Jones said: "It's quite an unusual spire, they say it was used to light up the marshes at night time for people travelling."
The project manager of the exhibition, Carly Seller, 27, of Keyworth, will soon be starting a masters in photography at Plymouth.
She said: "I've been so busy helping to organise the festival I've not had a chance to finalise which pictures I will be submitting but it will something from my time in Japan.
"I was there for 18 months teaching English as a foreign language."
On the evening of July 10, Keyworth Camera Club will be hosting "A Journey Through Photographs" which will include digital photo and AV presentations.
To close the festival there will be a short Songs of Praise- style service where popular hymns chosen by the congregation will be sung, including All Things Bright and Beautiful.
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