TWO artists celebrated their wedding anniversary by holding a joint art exhibition in Cirencester.

Mike and Penny Smith decided to mark several milestones - including Penny's 80th birthday and their wedding anniversary - by holding an art exhibition at New Brewery Arts in Cirencester.

The exhibition is called Two Creative Lives: Then and Now and showcases a selection of their creations throughout the years.

Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard: Guests admiring Penny and Mike's work at the Two Creative Lives: Then and Now exhibition preview event Guests admiring Penny and Mike's work at the Two Creative Lives: Then and Now exhibition preview event (Image: Camilla Foster)

It will be up on display at the art studio until Saturday, October 14.

Fellow creatives, family and friends congregated at the studio's main exhibition room to see the vibrant collection of leather hats, jewellery, textile pictures, baskets and paintings at a preview event on Saturday, September 16.

Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard: Portraits of Penny and Mike by Mike Smith at the exhibition Portraits of Penny and Mike by Mike Smith at the exhibition (Image: Camilla Foster)

Both of their artistic careers have been shaped by their involvement with New Brewery Arts - which was formerly known as Cirencester Workshops - which is why they have chosen to show their retrospective exhibition here.

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.

Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard: A selection of Mike Smith's paintings at the Two Creative Lives: Then and Now exhibitionA selection of Mike Smith's paintings at the Two Creative Lives: Then and Now exhibition (Image: Camilla Foster)

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.

Penny said: "It is so lovely to see both of our creations side-by-side.

Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard: A selection of Penny Smith's fine leather jewellery and hats at the Two Creative Lives: Then and Now exhibition A selection of Penny Smith's fine leather jewellery and hats at the Two Creative Lives: Then and Now exhibition (Image: Camilla Foster)

"Although we are both artists and have showcased our work at similar events such as the Chelsea Craft Fair, we have always had separate stalls.

"This is the first exhibition we have done together and Beth has done an amazing job at turning our vision into a reality.

Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard: Guests admiring Mike's baskets at the Two Creative Lives: Then and Now exhibition Guests admiring Mike's baskets at the Two Creative Lives: Then and Now exhibition (Image: Camilla Foster)

"It is great to have the opportunity to show so many of our family and friends some of our work that they have never seen before.

"New Brewery Arts will always have a special place in our hearts.

"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.

"Art studios like this don't get the funding they used to so it is so important to support them.

"It is such a supportive place and community for local artists to come together and develop their art."