Preview By Gay Pirrie Weir

20 June - 3 July

‘Mainly Flowers of the Wayside Sally Maltby’ Sou’-Sou’-West Arts Gallery, Symondsbury Estate, Bridport DT6 6HG. Open daily 10:30-4:30. Free admission & parking. Contact 01308 301326 www. sousouwest.co.uk. A photography and digital art exhibition of plants that thrive in unlikely situations; Swanage artist Sally Maltby will also show some garden plant images and some of beads.

Until 25 June

In Xanadu: Coleridge and the West Country An exhibition in partnership with the British Library to showcase the earliest manuscript of Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s extraordinary poem Kubla Khan. 10.00 am – 5.00 pm Tue – Sat (some Sunday opening) The Museum of Somerset, Taunton Castle, Castle Green, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 4AA Museumofsomerset.org.uk See website for booking information.

25 June - 3 July

Trio During the Beaminster Festival three artists from the town will be exhibiting paintings at a new pop-up gallery in White Hart Yard at the centre of the town. Moira Baumbach, Alan Green and Chris Kennedy have exhibited widely, nationally as well as internationally, but rarely get to show their work in Beaminster. The gallery will be open afternoons. White Hart Yard, Hogshill Street, Beaminster DT8 3AE.

25 June - 3 September

“Our World, Your Choice” An exhibition examining how we lived in the past; workshops and exhibits by local businesses all relating to the issue of climate change and how we can all make small adjustments to our lives to help. Mon, Thur, Fri, Sat 10am-4pm. Free. Crewkerne & District Heritage Centre, Market Square, Crewkerne. Somerset. TA18 7LP. www.crewkernemuseum.co.uk.

Until 26 June

FOUND Form, Texture, Improvisation A Conversation with the Land in ceramic, plaster, textiles, found objects, print and drawings. Dave King, Jenny Graham, Jacy Wall. Shippon Gallery, Hook Farm, Chardstock EX13 7DD. Every Saturday 11am - 4pm. Other times by arrangement. alisonoldhamart@googlemail.com. 01460 220021 Directions on website: theshippongallery.com. Ray Balkwill’s The River’s Voice is a celebratory exhibition of painting the Exe Estuary for over four decades. The Cafe at RAMM, Queen Street, Exeter, EX4 3RX. Open Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 5pm. Closed Mondays and Bank Holidays. Admission free and all work is for sale. rammuseum.org.uk. raybalkwill.co.uk.

Until 2 July

Janette Kerr recent paintings A thousand kilometres between - from Shetland to Skagaströnd in the Ground Floor Gallery, Sladers Yard. Janette Kerr’s energetic paintings of sea, wind, and light express what is felt as much as seen. Gabriele Koch makes ceramics of exceptional poise and presence. Petter Southall’s superb furniture designs and craftsmanship. Our pick of new work by Dorset artists to celebrate the summer. Gabriele Koch ceramics, Petter Southall furniture. Sladers Yard Contemporary Art, Craft and Furniture Gallery, West Bay Bridport Dorset DT6 4EL Open Wednesday to Saturday 10am - 5pm Entry: free Phone: 01308 459511 www. sladersyard.co.uk.

Until 23 July

FRESH! Devon Artist Network FRESH! brings together new works by leading artists and creatives from Devon Artist Network. Featuring work selected from an open call including painting, sculpture, pottery, glass work, textile and markmaking. Open Wednesday – Saturday, 10-5. Thelma Hulbert Gallery, Dowell Street, Honiton EX14 1LX, 01404 45006 www.thelmahulbert.com.

Until 25 September

Canvas & Rock an exhibition by Philomena Harmsworth. A fusion of paint, charcoal and neon - some of the media used in this latest collection. New Inn, Stoke Abbott, DT8 3TJ. Opening hours are 122pm & 6-11pm Weds - Sunday. Check website before travelling.

Until 31 October

‘Buried in Time’ at West Bay Discovery Centre. Open daily 11 am - 4 pm excluding Mondays. Admission free, donations welcomed. There will be various walks, talks and events associated with this exhibition during this period. Further details. http://www. westbaydiscoverycentre.org.uk/

GALLERIES IN JULY

Live or Online send your gallery details to info@marshwoodvale.com BY JUNE 10TH

Mash P

into the smoke

A MUSICIAN and photographer from Sierra Leone in West Africa, Nathaniel Sesay’s story epitomises the struggle from poverty and destitution to another life. Nathaniel, also known as Mash P, was born in Taiama, Southern Sierra Leone. Captured by rebels when he was nine years old and forced to fight in Sierra Leone’s brutal civil war, he spent five years in the jungle. After the war he was rejected by family and lived on the streets of Freetown for 12 years. He used music to explore corruption, his isolation and the stigma of being a child soldier.

Mash took up photography in 2018. Alone with his camera and supported by WAYout Arts he began taking photographs on Bume Dirty Box, the biggest rubbish dump in Freetown where many families scrape an existence. He followed a young boy called Mamadu who was the same age as Mash was when he was captured by rebels. These images give an honest portrayal of life on the dump, and Mash’s story demonstrates the power of the arts to transform lives. He has had exhibitions in London, Manchester and Portland, USA. There is an exhibition of his photographs and video at the Allsop Gallery in Bridport Arts Centre until June 18. For more information visit www.bridport-arts.com.