THE next exhibition at Fairfields Arts Centre will focus on the young talent of the town. Young Basingstoke Artists, which will run in the Council Road venue from January 26 until February 19, focuses on those developing artists who live or work in Basingstoke.

Those featured include Kev Munday, Sian Storey, Bill Thorpe, Kieran McKay, and Katie Smith, some of whom are artists in residence at the centre.

The work of Sian was first shown in the 2005 New Contemporaries exhibition and again more recently in the Best of Basingstoke show last year. Her decorative, lush and opulent work shows her influences of Matisse, Japanese woodcuts, Klimt and Art Nouveau.

Kev Mundy and Bill Thorpe both featured in the Street Art Show almost two years ago. Kev Munday’s work has hung in gallery shows in five continents and he has had commissions from clients including Walt Disney, Fabric Nightclub, Monster Energy Drink and Guitar Hero. 

Bill Thorpe’s instantly recognisable work and subject matter also has a street art influence. Recently, some of Katie Smith’s attractive and affordable ceramic work, reflecting the forms and textures of natural landscapes, has been on display in Fairfields’ foyer display exhibits.

The opening night of Young Basingstoke Artists takes place on Thursday, January 24 from 6.30pm until 8pm. To find out more, call 01256 321621 or log on to fairfields.org.

IIn addition, between the same dates and opening on the same night, Fairfields will showcase the work of talented local artist Jillian Smith.

Jillian graduated from Portsmouth College of Art where she studied graphic design and display. She was a graphic designer for many years but now paints and teaches mostly in watercolours.

Her inspiration comes from intimate areas around the shoreline, with an emphasis on seeking the effects of light and water. This will be her first solo show at Fairfields.