Four mosaic artists from the South West have come together to piece a new Mosiac exhibition at Lyme Regis Museum Rotunda Gallery.

48 miniature mosaics have been created especially by the four artists for the new exhibition. Alison Hepburn, Manya McMahon, Allan Punton, and Janet Ventre are the artists involved.

The exhibition, called ‘Keeping It Small’ takes place from Wednesday December 7 until Sunday January 15.

The artists have created these pieces using the same small size for their compositions, but the inspirations and thus the results are very different. Janet works at Cockington Craft Centre in Torquay and is inspired by its wildlife, particularly the birds that visit all year round, using them as a starting point for her collection. Used to working in much larger sizes, Manya decided not to plan in advance, but to start with a favourite piece of stained glass and see where that led her, thus achieving a very spontaneous result.

This project also marked a change of direction in Alison’s work. Instead of relying on mosaic’s usual materials such as glass and stone, she was able to create exactly what she wanted without compromise by hand-making each tile from polymer clay, mica powders, Tibetan charms, texture stamps and resin.

Allan’s inspiration came from the woodcuts of Thomas Bewick, the 18th century English engraver and natural history author. He has also used a limited colour palette whilst maintaining the richness of gold, thereby echoing the mosaics of the Byzantine period.

Viewing at the Lyme Regis Museum, normally open Tuesdays through Sundays (though holiday openings should be checked at www.lymeregismuseum.co.uk).

For further information, visit www.alisonhepburnmosaics.co.uk, www.artopunto.co, www.southwestmosaicartists.uk/portfolio/manya-mcmahon or www.janetventre.wixsite.com.