THE recent launch of the 2013 Hackwood Art Festival was attended by the culture secretary, Basingstoke’s MP Maria Miller.

Work by some of Britain’s most exciting talent was on show at the event, held in The Gallery in London’s Mayfair. Featured artists included award winning painter Soraya French, potter Paul Jackson, sculpture and eco-artist Steve Yeates, the acclaimed cricket artist Christina Pierce and Toby Wiggins, RP, winner of the Prince of Wales Drawing Prize for the Royal Society of Portrait Painters in 2005.

The event has been going from strength to strength since it began in 2005, and last year took place in Huish House, Old Basing. The festival encompasses a wide range of disciplines, including ceramics, installations, sculpture, collage, prints, textiles and many others.

Mrs Miller said: “I’m very proud of the Hackwood art festival, which I have supported for several years. It is a great example of how excellent art can thrive outside of London.

“With the festival’s London launch, Hackwood is showing the capital how well we can do things in Basingstoke. Each Hackwood Art Festival sets out to raise significant sums for local charities, as well as its own charitable trust, which works to raise understanding and awareness of all the arts, so I wish it every success.”