A GROUP of South Hams artists are flinging open the doors of a new exhibition space as a collection of work influenced by their coastal and rural location goes on display.

The Creative Collective is a collaboration of seven artists working in different media, from painters to a potter, photographer and silversmith.

From Friday, April 1 to Sunday, April 10, the group is hosting an exhibition at Fowlescombe Farm, in a beautiful converted barn surrounded by open countryside near Ugborough. Members of the public are invited to come along and discover their seven very different approaches to understanding this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

On display will be paintings by Ayse Rifat (CORR.), who creates intimate close-up wildlife portraits. Ani Buckland’s human and animal sculptures aim to capture beauty and movement frozen in time, while Nigel Grist’s black and white photographs of Dartmoor show the moors in all their splendour and Anna Ventura’s atmospheric ink works reflect the ever changing weather of the countryside.

Or get hands on with natural textures through Rosemary Moser’s textile bowls or the Raku pottery of Susan Luker, before taking in the delicate silver work and precious stone of smith Elisabeth Cooper.

The seven came together to share their passion for rural and coastal art, and have found in Fowlescombe Farm exhibition barn a place they believe perfectly reflects the inspiration behind their work

The ten day exhibition begins on April 1 with an opening view running from 6pm to 8pm, open to all, offering an opportunity to meet the artists, preview the work and enjoy light refreshments.

For more information visit the group’s website www.creativecollectivesouthhams.co.uk, or Facebook page.