A QUIRKY former pub turned arts venue in Rugby is celebrating the architecture of the town at its latest exhibition.
Art at the Alex is hosting The Rugby Town – a display of ‘fantastical townscapes and nostalgia-inducing vistas’ showcasing the town’s distinctive buildings – ranging from a colourful, bold linocut triptych of Rugby School to atmospheric photography of Cemex.
Local artists on display include Eric Gaskell, Dazz Leighton (aka Destruction Arts), Jess Hartshorn, Jim Watson, John Thompson, Sam Basnett, Steve Davies and Trev Partridge.
Alex co-owner Chris Pegler said: “This work really helps you to see and appreciate the town in a new light, and appreciate just how interesting the buildings around here are.”
Also on display is work by students from Ashlawn, Bilton, Lawrence Sheriff and Rugby High schools, including work completed by Rugby High School students Maya Moorthy and Eleanor Newey while doing work experience at the Alex in October.
The three artist judges of the youth section – Eric Gaskell, Steve Davies and student Evelynn Wenman – were all impressed by the work submitted and the range of interpretations of Rugby landmarks, noting: “Its a cliche, but we really did find it difficult to choose a winner.”
Rugby First provided a prize of town centre shop vouchers which the judges split between Lawrence Sheriff student Martyna Sienkiewicz in first place, Rugby High student Maya Moorthy in second, and Oleksandra Hordiichuk of Ashlawn School in third place.
Eleanor was also invited back to do a solo show at the Alex as a special prize, and Oleksandra won the Rugby and District Arts Society prize.
The exhibition is open from Friday (November 24) to Sunday (November 26) from 10am-4pm. Visitors can vote for the Visitor Votes award, the winner of which will take part in a new exhibition.
Visit www.artatthealex.com for more information.
