A NEW trophy dedicated to original paintings of the city is part of this year’s St Albans Art Society annual summer exhibition.

The St Albans Trophy has been donated by the society’s former chairman Mary Newbery and will be awarded to the work that best depicts St Albans in an original way.

Mary, who has lived in St Albans for many years and been actively involved with the society for the past 20 years, said: “When stepping down as chairman I wanted to help the society focus on the fascinating visual richness of St Albans hence this new trophy.”

In addition, for the first time this year, the society has teamed up with Waterstone’s in St Peter’s Street to hold a Local Artists Day. Nine artists, including Sue Llewellyn Elvidge who crated the St Albans Trophy artwork, will be showing techniques using various media including watercolour, acrylics, calligraphy and mosaics in demonstrations during the day next Sunday, July 25.

The aim is to show members of the public how it is done and encourage them to visit the exhibition which runs for nine days at the Cross Street Centre in Dagnall Street.

It is open from 9.30am to 4.30pm next Friday, July 23, and runs until Saturday, July 31, including opening from 1pm on Sunday, July 25.

Admission is free and most of the work is on sale. For further details go to www.stalbans-artsociety.org.uk