Art on Wirral!

12:39pm Wednesday 28th November 2007

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West Kirby's most well-known artist and illustrator is possibly Jim Fleming. A speciality of his is painting family businesses, but he will also consider commissions for a variety of projects, including unique wedding day watercolours and sketches.

Jill Bonner is a sculptor, illustrator and portrait artist who first trained at the Wirral Metropolitan College of Art and Design. She is now self-employed, and designs greetings cards and illustrates books. She has a colourful and extensive website where you can see her work.

Recent visitors to West Kirby Library were treated to an exhibition of work by West Wirral Artists. The choice of subject, mediums and painterly techniques were diverse. I would have liked to have seen much more of a regional focus, however. Why head off St Ives or Venice to paint, when Wirral already offers artists its own picturesque seascapes and pin-sharp lighting?

The Shrew Collective is a group of graduate artists based on the Wirral. Artists' individual interests include the environment, ecology, local history and exploring personal experiences through a variety of styles and mediums. For further information, email: shrew.info@googlemail.com Wirral now has its very own Academy of Arts, which aims to bring together every artist, writer, actor, poet etc., under one umbrella organisation. It is very closely linked with the Wirral 2008 Festival. Its office is sited in Birkenhead Park's grand entrance gates. The website is still under construction, however, but feel free to contact the Academy by email: wirral.2008@ntlworld.com