LEVEN Art Society’s annual exhibition in Stokesley Town Hall Showcased the extraordinary talent of local artists, writes Jan Hunter.

Members are allowed up to four entries and there was a wealth of different media from paintings to sculptures, etchings, ceramics, embroidery and felt.

There were 173 framed pictures in the main hall, with 100 unframed in the smaller room, with cards by the artists to buy. An original watercolour by Northumberland artist, Joe Hush, was the raffle prize, and all was surrounded by colourful flower arrangements by members, Shirley Johnstone and Lorna Hilton.

Positive comments were made not only on the quality of the art work, but on the professional way it was presented. Paul Brown, the exhibition organiser, explained the rigorous process of cataloguing and labelling the exhibits, and the many decisions made by local artist, Mike Corbyn, who makes the choices of where to hang the pictures in order to show them in the best possible light.

"The society began in 1970,” said Mr Brown, “and we have at the moment 130 members and 60 on the waiting list. Numbers are limited so that everyone has a fair chance of participating in all events. We have fortnightly weekend workshops, many of which non-members are invited to, and visits to galleries.”

All members are encouraged to showcase their work at the exhibition. There is a wealth of different styles and colours from the soft greens and browns of the Yorkshire countryside to bold and bright and dark and brooding, abstract and realism side by side.

Molly Wright’s Whitby Abbey from the Graveyard, in shades of grey pastel, is atmospheric and spooky, and Roger Luntz’s, Glen, is superb in its blend of colours, with stately deer emerging from the brightness. Pauline Warrington’s Scarfell is evocative of the changing colours of the Lake District, and she explained the process.

“I glue tissue paper onto the canvas and drag my paintbrush across it,” she said.” The acrylic paint collects in the cracks as light upon a hill.”

The exhibition is always popular with local people, and the high standard of work and the diversity draw in the crowds.

“We are an amateur society,” said Mike Corbyn,” but there is such a diversity of techniques and experimentation of ideas. We are non-selective and give all members an opportunity to showcase their work.”

The preview night was packed to capacity and guests were enthusiastic in their praise.

“We have such talent in the area,” said one gentleman.” It’s a splendid exhibition and it just gets better every year.”

Members work can be seen by visiting the website www.levenart.org.