Last Friday evening, a large crowd gathered at Tenby Museum and Art Gallery to view an impressive new exhibition of works by members of the Royal Watercolour Society of Wales.

The 'Art of Water' exhibition was officially opened by Andrea Kelland, vice-president of the Society. The opening provided the opportunity to not only view and purchase works of art, but also the opportunity to meet many of the artists in person.

Neil Westerman, honorary curator of the museum, welcomed everyone to the opening and thanked Mark Lewis, Thelma Mort and Andrea Kelland for the outstanding job they had done in arranging and hanging the works.

Andrea Kelland in her opening remarks thanked David James, the society's secretary and exhibitions secretary, for helping to organise the exhibition. Andrea explained that the exhibition came about shortly after the society was given the royal nod by her majesty and gained Royal status. At about the same time, the society was invited to exhibit with the French watercolour society in Paris. The society recently hosted a reciprocal exhibition with the 'Societe Francaise l'Aquarelle in Swansea. Andrea pointed out that one of their artists, Graham Robbie, is exhibiting here having just become one of our members as he is half Welsh.

Andrea mentioned that "One of the great things about exhibitions like this is the diversity of work...all the different approaches to painting with watercolours, the different marks made by artists and their use of the medium."

In her concluding remarks, Andrea said that the Royal Watercolour Society of Wales is looking to build on their recent achievements and expand their horizons by raising their profile not only in wales but across the border and internationally.

"We want the society to be recognised as an excellent contemporary Society."

The exhibition at Tenby Museum and Art Gallery runs until Sunday, June 28. The museum is open seven days a week from 10 am -4.30 pm.

A souvenir of the exhibition is available in the form of a beautifully illustrated catalogue produced to accompany the exhibition 'The Art of Water.' Twenty-two of the works included in the exhibition are illustrated in colour in the catalogue which is available at the amazingly low price of £2.