Banstead Art Group shared some of their stunning artworks as they announced the dates for their annual exhibition.

The group were founded in 1947 and have met more or less every single month for over 70 years since.

This year's annual exhibition will feature over 200 stunning artworks created by group members, and will take place at Banstead's Community Hall between October 24-26.

Speaking to the Surrey Comet, Banstead artist and group member Peter Cattermole described the ethos behind the artistic community gatherings.

"It a free, easy-to-access, open group.

"The members come along with paintings to be appraised and we get a professional artist in to come and give some useful commentary, ideas, techniques and areas for improvement.

"Often people bring along partially completed paintings and get advice from the professionals about what would be needed to complete or improve the particular piece.

"It's really useful for local artists and a really friendly group," he said.

The organization boasts around 50 members and continues to produce a wide-range of painting and others forms too — realist, surreal, abstract — everything is welcomed.

Banstead Art Group also allows the community to appreciate its creative side in greater detail.

The group's openness has encouraged more artists in Banstead to "come out" and share their art with more people.

"If you dig below the surface you find that there are an awful lot of people in the community who make art in one way or another.

"From enthusiastic self-taught amateurs to semi-professionals creating compositions under contract. Everyone's welcome.

"For the exhibition in October, anything that's judged to be of an adequate standard to represent the group can be featured, up to eight pieces per person...There's no theme or restriction," Mr Cattermole said.

Indeed, the Banstead resident joined the group in anticipation of developing his art via the approach adopted by members.

"I wanted to have that motivation to push me on and do more and have the chance to get feedback from artists and like-minded people

"The idea of swapping hints and techniques — even down to what paper to use, paints and pigments, and how to properly frame a picture — it's great feedback," Mr Cattermole said.

For more information and details about the October exhibition, go to: https://www.bansteadartgroup.com/