AN EXCITING collaborative exhibition of new works by Oxfordshire artists and photographers and young artists from a school is marking the launch of a new storage facility.

Paintings, photography work and drawings are being displayed at Cinch Storage, which has just opened on Arkwright Road.

Spread across three floors and with over 200 works on view, the exhibition will highlight the talent of local artists and showcase a broad and varied range of media and styles, such as print, photography, mixed media, oil and watercolours.

Cinch Storage has more than 300 different sized units spanning more than 20,000sqf. It was looking for a way to officially open by running an event for the local community, and its long corridors seemed an obvious art gallery option.

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Event organiser Aimee Kirkham says exhibiting within the facility is a 'fantastic opportunity'.

Andy Sparke of Cinch Storage, who has helped organise the exhibition, said: “As the majority of Cinch Storage customers are within a 15 mile radius it was vital to us that the event gave something back to the local community and that local charities would benefit.

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“The result is three floors filled with local art and a hog roast being manned by Kirwin Tinto, the owner of DeliStop in Bicester. All proceeds from the food sales and a percentage of artwork sales are being donated to Bicester Baby Bank and Bicester Foodbank.”

The exhibition will showcase work from GCSE and A-Level students at the Cooper School too who have missed out on the chance to present their work due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Leanne Smyth, head of art at the Cooper School, who has also helped to organise the event, said: “When Cinch Storage contacted us with this fantastic opportunity we couldn’t resist.

“Not only will we be able to celebrate the students’ amazing work accumulated over the last two years, but share this moment with the wider Oxfordshire creative community.”

This will be the first event for many artists involved to present work in public again since lockdown.

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Many are looking forward to the opportunity to share their work with others.

Artist Mark Clay said: “Every artist wants to share their work with people, so a chance to show my art to the public after a prolonged period of lockdown was far too good an opportunity to pass up - especially when it’s in aid of a good cause too.

“As the art world gets back on its feet, innovative and different exhibitions like this one are going to play a big part, so I am very happy and thankful to be involved.”

Faye Knight, another artist, will be showcasing work that has been influenced by her time spent in lockdown.

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She said: “I always aim to paint scenes of calm and freedom. I felt these feelings were even more relevant during these challenging times of lockdown.”

The exhibition will be on display 10am-4pm on August 29 with a hog roast and other food available from 12pm. It will continue over the Bank Holiday weekend from 10am-2pm.