Royston Arts Society (RAS) will display artists' work next week at its 2024 Autumn Exhibition.

The exhibition will be open at Royston Town Hall from 7.30pm to 9.30pm on Friday, September 27 and from 10am to 5pm on Saturday, September 28 and Sunday, September 29.

The free annual show is one of the highlights of the Royston Arts Festival, which has run for more than 40 years and brings together artists and the community.

Tower Bridge at Night' by Hazel HaywoodTower Bridge at Night' by Hazel Haywood (Image: Hazel Haywood) Sponsored by the Royston Town Mayor's Community Trust Fund and Johnson Matthey, this year's show includes affordable artwork from both RAS members and non-members.

A total of 62 artists have contributed more than 330 paintings, both framed and unframed, along with a wide selection of greeting cards.

The society's chairman, Richard Clayton, said: "Last year’s exhibition, with bumper sales, was our most successful for more than a decade.

'Mistle Thrush' by Liz Beardwell'Mistle Thrush' by Liz Beardwell (Image: Liz Beardwell) "It was really gratifying to see how the Royston community have renewed their enthusiasm for viewing and buying art after the setbacks of the Covid years.

"This year’s entries more than maintain the high standard set in recent years, and we’re confident that all our visitors, whatever their tastes in art, will find something to enjoy when they look around."

The exhibition programme can be viewed and downloaded in advance at www.roystonarts.org.uk.

'After Kettle's Yard' by Sho-Jen Dowell'After Kettle's Yard' by Sho-Jen Dowell (Image: Sho-Jen Dowell) Richard added: "We’re expecting to be very busy with more than 800 visitors over the course of the exhibition, and we’ll again be encouraging people to participate more fully by voting for their favourite picture."

Royston Arts Festival runs until Saturday, October 5.

Highlights include the free Gala in the Gardens, which will be held in Priory Memorial Gardens from midday to 5pm on Saturday, September 28.

'Street Museum, La Boca' by Vivienne Machell'Street Museum, La Boca' by Vivienne Machell (Image: Vivienne Machell) Arts groups will perform on the main stage throughout the day - including Limitless Academy, a samba band, Stronghold Dance Company, Bollywood dancing and more.

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Street Food Heroes will provide refreshments, and there will be face painting and balloon modelling in the kid-zone.

On the evening of Sunday, September 29 there will be a celebration concert at St John's church.

The full festival programme is available at creativeroyston.org.

'Fruit Splash' by Richard Clayton'Fruit Splash' by Richard Clayton (Image: Richard Clayton)