The annual three day art fair Art in Penallt was a three day event over the August Bank Holiday, featuring local and international artists and makers and this year the event enjoyed a pandemic-free environment.

As well as a display of Fine Art, sculpture, wood, photography, glass, ceramics and jewellery, there were workshops and talks on ceramics, painting, including oils, sketching and woodart.

Last year the event raised over £4,000 for Monmouthshire charities and this the event focused on Bridges, Monmouth Food Bank and St John Ambulance.

Organisers hoped this would be their best show ever and Stephanie Coutts paid tribute to the committee who had been working on this year’s event since the last one finished.

“I would like to thank Ann who is retiring as our curator and who has done it for nine years and has created a system which is flawless, taking care of artists in a most sensitive way.

“The very good news is that we didnt have to look very far for a replacement: Anthea, who is already on the committee and who has curated this show for us, is able to step into these rather large shoes.”

Anthea has just been awarded a First Class Honours Fine Arts degree in Hereford.

“We are very proud of what you have achieved and what you have done here today,” Stephanie added.

Aileen Atkinson, Centre Director for Bridges said: “Bridges’ Social Circles group was incredibly grateful to be nominated as one of the beneficiaries of proceeds of this year’s Art in Penallt.

She added: “Social Circles provides a lifeline to a group of people who may be lonely or socially isolated. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, we run a series of activities throughout the day for elderly people who also get to enjoy a two-course, home-cooked lunch. Donations like this mean that we can plan more activities and possibly even increase the size of the group so more people can benefit.”