Shows celebrate veterans and RAF
TWO special exhibitions are being held in Accrington to celebrate the RAF and artwork by members of a veterans group.
The RAF exhibition at Haworth Art Gallery features a series of old photographs of First World War aircraft, which had been hidden away in a drawer and forgotten.
The display by the Veterans in Communities group showcases a diverse range of artwork, from paintings to fretwork which has been created in the many classes run by the Haslingden-based charity.
Hyndburn and Haslingden MP Graham Jones praised the charity, speaking at the opening ceremony.
He said: “I have always been a big supporter of VIC. I have been connected with VIC since it started and am very proud of all the support that they give to the veterans.”
Graham has previously bought a painting of a mother leopard and her cub which was created by arts and crafts co-ordinator Darren Horsnell.
Darren said: “I would like to thank everyone for helping me to set up the exhibition and to project worker Jaqui Collins who was a great help and made the first contact with Haworth Art Gallery and helped me throughout.
“The exhibition will be on for six weeks and I will be returning with more members of my family who were unable to be there for the opening.
“We had a massive turnout of VIC members to the opening and we have around 40 paintings in the first floor art gallery and some are for sale.
“We have also put on display the work of some of the new attendees at the Bob Ross classes, which are run at the VIC Centre, and it was the first time these artists had ever had a painting on display in a gallery.”
VIC works throughout East Lancashire, Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale to help veterans return, belong and prosper in their communities after leaving the forces or emergency services.