The venerable Oxford Art Society (founded 1891) is holding one of its regular exhibitions. If that sounds a bit meagre, it's because this time the frame as well as the art merits attention. The frame' is the newly-created gallery at the Town Hall, in the room previously occupied by the printing department. It's a serviceable plain space, simply converted, very freshly-painted, but it's the first completed stage of an ambitious plan to create an art and cultural centre for the city. There's a (so far empty) cafe next door of which fine things are promised, and it would seem that Oxford may adapt the V & A's famous slogan and become a great cafe with a few councillors attached'. All the more reason, then, to visit the show 108 exhibits from around 50 artists. Many are professionals, and most are very well-known locally. The variety of media is remarkable; I wonder how limited (limiting?) was the range available to those pioneers of 1891.

What to say of such a display ? Actually, the display itself is intriguing. The hanging committee has contrived some arresting juxtapositions like Anthony Eldred's Christmas Shoppers (a very sunny day perhaps they were all shopping early) next to Jane Strother's open, empty West Fen with Ely Cathedral just visible. Valerie Petts contrasts a sun 'n' sea Lulworth Cove and a dour Pennine Way. Bill Grant has a bright eye-catching Harbour Scene in acrylics and Alan Mynall has a neat line in characterful portrait heads. Margaret Charlton works her tribute to Morandi in embroidered bottles, and Francesca Shakespeare creates a sweeping Chesil Beach in Portugal (I only know the one in Dorset). Peter Lawrence's Way Out West contrives a thronging world of iconic US scenes and people in the hard, unforgiving medium of wood engraving. I loved Wendy Skinner Smith's oils of Le Petit Blanc. There are two here, of a set of six, and their multiple glazes make Walton Street a much less grey thoroughfare than usual. Among the hard stuff, I liked Juliet Dyer's jolly fishy figures in clay (one already sold).

Ignore my selection. Go make your own. Town Hall, ground floor, corridor on right, till May 26.