ART lovers across the city have just one day left to gaze on the artistic talents of their fellow citizens.

The Oxford Arts Society has been hosting its autumn exhibition at St John the Evangelist Church since the start of the month.

But it closes tomorrow, bringing an end to a display of more than 180 artistic creations from Oxfordshire residents.

Oxford Mail:

Gwen Evans with her piece, Focus and Inspire

Gwen Evans’ piece Focus and Inspire is on display at the church and this is the third year the 83-year-old has exhibited at the event.

The retired clerk from Blackbird Leys said she created the piece during a weekend art class.

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She added: “Through my life, I have always wanted to draw but I worked for a living and there was not much time.

“When I retired I said to myself that’s what I’m going to do. If I did not do that, I would be looking at the goggle box. I think it’s terribly important when you’re old to keep the grey matter working and have a hobby.”

Each year artists living within a 30-mile radius of the city are invited to submit their artwork to the society for a chance of being included in the exhibition.

This year saw the largest collection of paintings, sculptures and prints the society has ever included.

Chairman Peter Farley said: “It’s a wonderful exhibition in a beautiful setting. It’s an eclectic mix. There’s something for everybody.

“The artists in the exhibition, they are the cream of the arts community in the Oxford area.”

The Oxford Art Society was launched in 1891 and began hosting its annual autumn exhibition shortly after.

This year the art display moved to a bigger location within the Iffley Road church, after more than a 100 years exhibiting in other locations across the county.

It had previously held the exhibition in the Said Business School, the Ashmolean Museum, Woodstock Museum and West Oxfordshire Arts Gallery.

Mr Farley said the society aims to provide artists with opportunities to exhibit their masterpieces.

The 66-year-old from Clanfield added: “There are very few opportunities for artists to get together and exhibit as a group.

“There’s no point an artist just creating work and putting it up in the corner of the room. An awful lot of emotion goes into creating a piece of work.

“Art makes people think. It lifts the soul. It’s a very important part of the human existence.”

The Oxford Art Society, which has about 150 members, hosts two exhibitions each year. About 40 visitors have been attending this month’s exhibition each day and around 20 art pieces have been sold.

  • The exhibition will open within the church’s Cloister Gallery between 10am and 4pm today and between noon and 4pm tomorrow. For more information visit oxfordartsociety.org.uk
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