AN annual exhibition that opens next week will showcase the work of local artists who have been inspired by the forests of the Thames Chase Centre.

It will open on Thursday, 1 September and will be the sixth event staged by Thames Chase celebrating community art.

Thames Chase forests cover 40 square miles encompassing land in Thurrock, Havering, Barking and Dagenham and Brentwood.

The exhibited work will also appear on the centre's website along with the brochure for visitors to explore and enjoy, alongside. The show will feature a wide range of artworks inspired by the Rediscovery of the Forest following two years of social restrictions.

Running from September 1 to 11 in the historic buildings of the Thames Chase Forest Centre at Broadfields, Pike Lane, Upminster, the exhibition will also include artwork from the recent children's art competition.

Penny Morgan, curator of the exhibition, says: "'We are very excited to be delivering our sixth annual arts event this year and delighted to welcome in excess of 25 artists displaying their work. We love to continuously evolve the exhibition, and this year it really has grown bigger and better for all our guests.

"We aim to make our arts and culture event accessible and enjoyable for all especially our young artists.

"Please do take the opportunity to view and even purchase a piece of this incredible exhibition."

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The exhibition will include a large number of original artworks or sculptures on display showcasing the best local professional and up and coming artists, on a wide stage. All the pieces featured will be offered for sale, with prices from £10 to £2,000 offering a unique opportunity to purchase a bespoke piece of art and support artists within the local community.

Thames Chase Trust Co-chair Mary Wright, adds: 'It is very exciting to be celebrating with so many local artists. This sixth year of the exhibition will display the extensive local artistic talent to a wide audience and hopefully inspire those living in and around the Community Forest to investigate their inner talent.

"The children's art competition is truly inspiring and show real talent for the future."

Alongside the art exhibition will be the announcement of the winners of the children's competition, judged by the artists.

The children's art competition has allowed children to show what they love about forests across the Community Forest, expressed in a medium of their choice.

Ms Wright concludes: "Using art to inspire the next generation to understand and appreciate the world around them will help to ensure that they respect and take care of the landscape and continue to protect the environment."