COVENTRY.- Award-winning artists from across Coventry and Warwickshire are urging young artists to develop their talents by joining forces with local art societies.

The artists, who are all members of one of the four societies which make up the Coventry Arts Consortium, are the current winners of the group’s annual exhibition at The Herbert.

This year’s event takes place at The Herbert in Jordan Well from Wednesday, September 24 until Thursday, October 9 and will display work from the Coventry Art Guild, Coventry Watercolour Society, Coventry Triumph Art Society and Coventry and Warwickshire Society of Artists.

Alan Tyers, whose painting was chosen by fellow artists as their favourite in last year’s exhibition, said the support of young artists was vital to arts societies.

The 64-year-old chairman of Coventry Watercolour Society said: “All societies want more young people to support them and we would encourage young artists to become more involved and develop their own talents.

“Such artists can give an injection of youth into existing groups and it is exciting to see new ideas.”

As a 13-year-old Alan attended Coventry Arts School, which was next to Barrs Hill School on Radford Road and has since displayed his paintings in London, Warwick and Birmingham as well as at The Herbert.

He said: “I can remember the opening of the original Herbert art gallery and, as a Coventry kid, I am really proud that my work has been displayed in my own city.”

Artist George Scott, from Holbrooks, had his painting chosen by the then Lord Mayor, Cllr Dave Batten, as his favourite, while Rugby artist Cynthia Chandler’s work was picked as the favourite of visitors.

Rosie Addenbrooke, from The Herbert, said: “The Coventry Arts Consortium exhibition is always well attended and showcases many different styles and themes.

“It appeals to people of all ages and we have visitors who are experienced artists or are attending an art exhibition for the first time.

“We are pleased to be working with the Consortium again, as the exhibition is a great way for local artists to have their work showcased in their own area.”