A large and wide-ranging art exhibition, created by nearly 100 local artists, has opened in Laxey.

The entries to the annual open art competition have gone on display at the Hodgson Loom Gallery, where they will remain available to see until Saturday, April 23, when the winners are announced.

Each entry has been created under the theme of ‘Fly’, with the entries having some kind of reference, however cryptically, to the stimulus.

The exhibition features work created in many different media, from watercolours and pencil sketch through to textiles, ceramics, photography, metal sculpture and wood carvings.

The competition is curated by Julia Ashby-Smyth, who says that she is constantly amazed by the variation in the interpretation of the theme she sets.

‘Every year the Hodgson Loom Gallery holds a themed art competition, which is open to absolutely anyone to enter up to two pieces, with this year’s theme being “fly”,’ said Julia.

‘We had 163 entries from over 95 artists, from first time exhibitors and full-time professional artists to the delightful imaginations of intrepid five year olds and the finely honed skills of, shall we say, well-seasoned minds.

‘As ever, the interpretations of the one word theme are wonderfully diverse, creating a marvellous exhibition in which to happily lose oneself for a good while.

‘There is everything from silver elephants and automated moths to lead angels and pouting fish, plus a swarm and flutter of fly-ey things inbetween.’

The winning entries will be chosen by a panel of expert judges, and there will also be a public vote, which people can cast in person at the exhibition.