ARTISTS from across the Aire Valley are displaying their work in a new exhibition.

Life's Rich Tapestry is being staged by Aire Valley Arts, a group now comprising 16 artists.

The event – at Trapezium Gallery, in Kirkgate, Bradford – starts on Saturday, March 4, and runs until March 25.

It is the group's first exhibition of the year.

Aire Valley Arts was formed in 1995 with the aim of making "a dynamic contribution to the arts in the community and beyond", through a variety of events, exhibitions and workshops.

The first members were brought together by Daniel Paulo and Peter Marsden, after they placed an advertisement in the press.

They wanted to help ease the isolation faced by artists, and to pool resources and provide new opportunities.

Daniel says: "With an emphasis on diversity, experimentation and creativity, each of the artists in the group works independently – meeting regularly – in media ranging from traditional impasto oils to watercolour, textiles, ceramics, printmaking, photography and collage, resulting in eclectic exhibitions.

"The majority of members are painters, but Aire Valley Arts encourages all visual art forms, the only criteria being that the work should be adventurous and genuinely contemporary."

One artist, Helen Shearwood, now lives in Perth, Australia, but remains part of the group.

She says: "Life’s Rich Tapestry comprises works in a variety of sizes, colours and forms.

"The exhibition speaks of life’s diverse fullness as we each traverse our own truly unique paths, while at the same time being united by the fundamental sameness of what it is that makes us human – the ups and downs, twists and turns, joys and sorrows, love and pain, hopes and disappointments, and all manner of unexpected events that make their mark on us as our lives continue to unfold, weaving a rich tapestry of experiences in the process."

Exhibiting alongside Daniel and Helen are fellow members Paul Hudson, Nancy Stedman, Jan Whitlock, Caroline Hardaker, Anne Marwick, Amy Charlesworth, Sue Strange, David Starley, Kath Bonson, Kate Stewart, Martin Cosgrove, Judy Sale and Jane Fielder.

The launch event takes place between noon and 2pm on March 4. There will be refreshments and a chance to meet the artists.

The exhibition will then be open between 11am and 3pm on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays until March 25.

For more details, visit trapeziumarts.com or email art@trapeziumarts.com.

Further information about the group can be found at airevalleyarts.co.uk.