Iconic faces from the area will be shown in a new light during an exhibition of paintings from budding artists.

Herts Advertiser: Chris, by Jo KentChris, by Jo Kent (Image: Archant)

From Andy the bin man to James the railway announcer, a group of amateur artists have come together to paint portraits of the people who make up St Albans.

Jo Kent, 35, is a St Albans-based artist who teaches the Creative Space Club, which is responsible for putting on the exhibition.

She said: “When the Accordion Man passed a couple of months ago it made me think about the faces that make up St Albans to the people who live here.

“That’s when I had the idea about painting familiar faces that build up the city.”

Jo, 35, who lives in Carlbury Close, St Albans, teaches the Creative Space Club on Saturday mornings in St Albans and decided to ask her students to participate in the project.

“I took my camera to town and walked around. I photographed various familiar faces in St Albans and brought them to the class for people to look at. Andy the bin man was quite the poser.

“I don’t think these people think that they are well known, but they are, and most of them were quite flattered!”

The group of 15 artists then took some of their own photographs to paint from.

“It’s been amazing seeing the progression of people as artists, the level has improved so much. There’s such a mix of people and who are truly talented.”

The exhibition will begin from 6pm to 9pm tonight (Friday) at 117 The Sitting Room, Hatfield Road St Albans.

It will also run between 10am-4pm tomorrow (Saturday) where paintings will be available for sale.

Jo added: “I would really encourage people to come along, even if you’re not into art, the beauty of this exhibition is that local people will recognise the subjects.”