Seaton and District Art Society s annual exhibition survived with a small profit despite a fall in sales this year.

Seaton and District Art Society's annual exhibition survived with a small profit despite a fall in sales this year.

Not all the bills have been paid but fears that, thanks to current financial constraints, the show would go into the red seem unfounded.

The show attracted almost 1,000 visitors, many of whom gave generous praise in the comments book.

Financial support came from a raffle, tombola and refreshments.

The public choice as the favourite work went to an unusual Rembrandtesque painting by Colyton member Vic Bromwich. Called A Reflective Moment, it shows a back-lit interior of The Volunteer pub in Lyme Regis.

Vic revealed a long time interest in the drawings of Rembrandt and confessed it was why he had chosen a very limited palette for the picture. The work also received a commendation by the Society's President Alan Cotton.

Alan chose Taunton artist Glenda Lavender's Luke - "a very strong portrait" to win the President's own cup and Anne Swithinbank awarded the Maggie Lodge Rose Bowl for flower painting to Seaton's Fran Rees for Rudbeckia and Daisies.

Colyton's David Clarke won two awards - the Devon Framer's Cup for landscape for his Boat Hire at Dedham, judged by Howard Jones, and the Barbara Hollingsworth Award for Portraiture for his study of Paul, judged by Anthea de la Roche, who also opened the show.

The Society's next meeting is on September 7, 2-4pm at the Methodist Church Hall, Valley View, Seaton.

Stephen Foster will demonstrate how to produce an abstract landscape with a palette knife. Visitors and new members are always welcome.