A FREE art exhibition displaying the work of two creatives is coming to Cirencester this September.

New Brewery Arts - which is situated in Brewery Court, Cirencester - will be displaying a new exhibition called Two Creative Lives: Then and Now between Saturday, September 16 and Saturday, October 14.

The exhibition charts the work of two creatives, Mike and Penny Smith, whose careers have been entwined in the history of the arts centre, which was formerly known as Cirencester Workshops.

Mike was one of the first studio holders at Cirencester Workshops for his basketry in 1979, whilst Penny joined the organisation two years later as assistant director.

In 1984 Penny decided to take up her own studio and developed a range of fine leather jewellery and hats, and later on become a trustee.

Their careers have been shaped by their involvement with New Brewery Arts, which is why they have chosen to show their retrospective exhibition here.

The exhibition will showcase a collection baskets, paintings, leather hats, jewellery and textile pictures.

Penny said: “We both found that moving into dedicated workshop spaces as part of the very lively and creative community of craft workspaces gave us the opportunity to present our work to a local and nationwide audience.”

A spokesperson for New Brewery Arts said: "The aim of Cirencester Workshops was to give the public good quality crafts and provide craftspeople with a fair rent and encourage them to produce creative work of a high standard. 

"Today, New Brewery Arts continues to celebrate the role of craft and creativity in all our lives, by connecting people with the hand-made and promoting the joy and fulfilment of making.

"Through Cirencester Workshops, Mike and Penny had the opportunity to individually develop and expand their craft skills and disciplines to make them the creatives they are today. 

"We are delighted to welcome them back, and to celebrate their lifelong creativity, both then and now."