Imaginative work of creative youngsters on display at Leatherhead Theatre

The exhibition, at Leatherhead Theatre, is by students of the Ink2 art studio, in Harriotts Close, Ashtead, which is run by Gillian Phillips and her partner Chris Williams.

The students are of mixed abilities and some have disabilities, ranging from autism to deafness.  The studio is trying to attract more pupils with some learning difficulties.

For those aged eight to 16, it aims to nurture young talent in art mediums such as screen printing and sculpture exploring styles from modernism to radical expressionism.

Mrs Phillips says: "The art studio's aim is to give students a chance to express themselves using techniques and media that are not always available or may not be on the school curriculum and broaden their abilities and awareness to every conceivable art form."

The students who are exhibiting their work are Jessica Skinner, Megan Feltham, Stephen Cooper, Louis Hook, Layla White, Beth Sheehan, Sophie Williams and Patrice Insua.

"All of the Ink2 students have a real sense of achievement and are delighted that for the fifth year in succession they are able to display their work," says Mrs Phillips.

"These children are what Leatherhead and Epsom are about.  They try different skill sets and strive to break into new areas that some may say are a thing of the past, with the ever-evolving technology of today, where computing, digital photography and CAD is taking a strangle hold over some of the more classic and iconic methods of recreating art.  

"These are students from the local area who have great talent and ambition to succeed."

The free exhibition is on until March 31 at the Leatherhead Theatre, Church Street, Leatherhead, Surrey, KT22 8DN.  For more information call 01372 365120.