THE first exhibition by the Drovers’ Art Group in Wantage is to be displayed in the Vale & Downland Museum on Church Street.

The work can be found in the upper gallery of the museum and will be on show until August 22.

Artists taking part include Paul Kessling and Johannes Von Stumm.

Mr Von Stumm, a sculptor, said: “This is a really wonderful exhibition because it’s great to see art blossoming in Wantage again.”

The exhibition is the first step in what the museum hopes will “bring together local artists and represent a range of disciplines”.

This includes painting, printmaking, sculpture, jewellery, photography, ceramics and textiles.

Drovers’ Art Group is a concept that has grown out of the Wantage town centre initiative, with the ultimate aim of creating an artisan hub or guild.

This would be space where artists and craftspeople can work together creating their art while sharing ideas and knowledge with other artists.

Visitors would be able to go to the studios and workshops and see a wide range of arts and crafts in the exhibition area.

Drovers’ Arts chairman Stuart Roper said: “This area has more than its fair share of talented artists and craftspeople.

“We would like to create a centre of excellence where visitors can access this wealth of creativity.”

This project, which is currently run by volunteers, is being supported by the Joint Economic Forum, Vale of White Horse District Council and private businesses including Green and Co Estate agents.