Dramatic and classic paintings depicting the island’s relationship with the sea and the desire for travel and adventure have gone on display at the Manx Museum.

’Voyages - A Nautical Adventure Through Our Ever-Changing Seas’ features a wide variety of seascapes from the vaults of the Manx national art collection, along with contemporary and modern pieces painted by local and international artists including the famed graphic designer and painter Roger Dean.

However, the exhibition has been more a of a voyage of discovery for those who curated and pieced together the exhibition.

The work that went into ’Voyages’ was put together by six students, aged between 15 and 21 years old, who were on a work experience placement during the summer holidays with Manx National Heritage, under the careful eye of art and social history curator Katie King.

The six students, Lucy-May Hill, Amy Ratcliffe, Molly Crowe, Eryn Byrne, Eleanor Lees, and George Sanders, worked alongside Manx National Heritage staff and handled each aspect of the exhibition, from conservation, design, marketing, installation through to interpretation and learning.

’Curating this special exhibition has been an amazing voyage,’ said George, a student at King William’s College.

’We began by selecting paintings that we wanted to display.

’This came with a number of challenges, including the painting’s medium and their condition. After choosing our favourite pieces, we had to decide on a theme.

’Luckily, many of our chosen paintings told a nautical story, so the theme of the island’s calm and stormy seas came with ease.

’We positioned the art works in the gallery to create the illusion of being on a historical voyage, to create an atmosphere that reflected this.

’This has been a great experience for all of us, during which we have learnt about the art collection, conservation and how to curate an engaging exhibition.’

The ’Voyages’ exhibition is open to view at the Manx Museum until October 31.