TALENT and an enduring passion for art drew in the crowds when Portgordon Art Group held their annual exhibition.

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The weekend of July 22-23 saw a total of 120 pieces created by group members over the course of the last year go on display at the Spey Bay Community Hall. This followed a launch evening on the Friday.

With last year's exhibition drawing a bumper crowd as the show returned from a two-year hiatus due to Covid, this year's numbers did not disappoint either.

Art group chairwoman Kitty Bell said: "After last year we thought it was maybe a bit of a fluke as we were coming out of Covid, but the numbers this year were very, very good.

"Financially we've done very well out of this year's exhibition.

"Of the 120 framed paintings we sold 29, while out of the 56 unframed ones we sold 26, which are pleasing figures.

"As usual there was a wide range of themes and media, including quite a few animals and landscapes.

"A display in memory of our former tutor, Mike Kitchen, sold three paintings with the proceeds going to his widow."

Ms Bell added that the continued enthusiastic response to the annual exhibition was very encouraging for the group, with a long term booking at Spey Bay Community Hall in place for the show for some years ahead.

There was also good news on the membership front, which had taken a hit because of Covid.

Ms Bell said: "We've got 22 members at the moment and quite a long waiting list to join.

"We've not got a lot of space and there're still some post-Covid nerves about being too close together.

"The group currently doesn't have a tutor and we're looking for someone who can teach aerial perspective, tone and colour."

A Christmas sale is in the offing for the group later this year, with more details being released nearer the time.

Portgordon Art Group meet every Friday from 1pm to 3.30pm at Clochan Community Centre. For more information, visit the group's Facebook page.

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