ALTON Art Society will hold its 85th annual exhibition at Alton Assembly Rooms this weekend.

Opening tomorrow (Saturday), the exhibition will run until Sunday, October 16, and is open each day from 10am to 5pm. Entry is free.

As always, the exhibition will offer an opportunity to view art society members’ work in a wide ranging display of paintings from watercolours through acrylics, pastels, oils and collage to 3D work, including hand painted silk scarves and greetings cards. All works will be for sale.

Visitors will asked to take part in a secret ballot to identify, by number, the painting/3D work they consider their favourite in the exhibition. The winner will receive the Jack Riviere trophy which is awarded annually to the work considered by the viewing public to be Best in Show.

Last year Peter Forey was voted as the people’s favourite for his watercolour ‘Coverack Conspiracy’. Sadly, shortly after last year’s exhibition Peter passed away. Peter will be greatly missed for his hard work demonstrating painting to members and visitors at the exhibitions. He held the post of Chairman of the AAS in the 1990s and was always on hand to offer advice with a quiet, kind manner. There will be a separate stand commemorating Peter Forey and his work at this year’s exhibition.

Ann Sayer’s Painting ‘Light and Shade’ was voted into second place in the 2015 exhibition, while Kate Davis took third place with ‘Moonlit Woodland’. Photographs of these works will also be on display.

Added to this year’s Jack Riviere award there will be three prizes sponsored by local businesses – Landscape Painting any Medium, Garden Themed Painting any Medium; and 3D Work any Medium.

Always a great attraction, the children’s exhibition will provide a colourful array of artwork from children aged four to young people aged 15. Displayed on stage at the rear of the main hall, this exhibition is organised by Kate Davis and her band of helpers who have worked tirelessly to contact all the local schools requesting entries for the exhibition. These entries are judged in the different age groups and the artists are awarded vouchers for their artwork. Judging will take place at the start of the exhibition with prizegiving next Saturday, October 15, at 11am.

This year there will be a special award certificate in the name of John Hearn, voted from the children’s display by the visiting public. John Hearn was Alton Art Society chairman for many years and was unfailing in his support and work for the society.

In expressing grateful thanks to all those who have and will help with the staging of the annual art exhibition, Alton Art Society has expressed “a huge thank you” to Kaye Garrett who accepts, prints labels and catalogues all entries to the exhibition, via her computer. Kaye also sets up the stewarding roster for the exhibition, and has a strong team of members backing her up.