Students on City of York Council's adult education art classes are to get their work shown at York City Art Gallery for the first time.

The work of adult art class students will go on show in two exhibitions this month. The first, at Strensall Methodist Church Hall on Saturday (April 20), will feature more than 200 paintings and drawings from students on the Painting and Drawing classes at the church. It will take place at between 10am and 4pm.

Then, between Tuesday, April 23 and Sunday, May 12, York City Art Gallery will feature an exhibition of York students' work for the very first time.

Students who attend City of York Community Education courses were invited to submit work for the Art Gallery exhibition. Promoted by the council's Adult and Community Education Service, The exhibition is called 'Art for Everyone' and features some 40 works from classes in all parts of the city.

Both exhibitions are free and have been organised by local artist and part-time tutor Jean Larcum who said, "This is a great opportunity for students to exhibit their work. Due to the tremendous response by students submitting an excellent standard and great variety of work the team had difficulty in selecting the pieces to be hung."

Richard Green, curator of York City Art Gallery, said, "We welcome the involvement of the students - particularly since some of their works have been directly inspired by paintings in the Gallery's collection."

Mike Cooper, the council's adult community education officer, said, "This is a wonderful opportunity for the students to show off their work in a fantastic setting.

"This is the work of ordinary people like you and me. From these classes and with a little bit of help and guidance they have discovered that they can draw and paint after all."

Student Joan Haslam said, "Until I was 60 I was convinced I couldn't paint but if only I had tried earlier! You don't have to be a Rembrandt to experience the pure joy of creating a picture."

Anyone wishing to have a go at doing some drawing should note that Burnholme Community Education Centre is running a free two hour taster for adults and children aged 12 and over as part of their free Family Learning Day on Saturday, June 22. More information is available from Pam O'Brien on 01904 416580 .

Many art classes will be starting up again in September and will be advertised in the "Learning For Life" prospectus that will be delivered to households across the city late June.

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