INVENTIVE, inspired and imaginative are the watchwords of talented artists from in and around Felixstowe who this week are exhibiting their work.There's nothing like an art exhibition to inspire you to take up your paints, pencils and pastels and face the blank canvas and create – and Felixstowe Art Group's annual event does just that.

INVENTIVE, inspired and imaginative are the watchwords of talented artists from in and around Felixstowe who this week are exhibiting their work.

There's nothing like an art exhibition to inspire you to take up your paints, pencils and pastels and face the blank canvas and create – and Felixstowe Art Group's annual event does just that.

It is the 52nd year the thriving group has staged an exhibition, and this year organisers are thrilled with the quality of the work and the number of first-time exhibitors taking part from an influx of new members.

There are 250 works on show from 70 artists, and another 150 unframed pictures in the event's "cash and carry" take away sale section.

Highlights include a tribute to Malcolm Laurie, who died this year, who had a love of painting and doing cartoons, and a great interest in astronomy. He served as club secretary for 43 years and was also club president.

Among the traditional landscapes of local places and those from abroad, there is a wide variety of work, including still life, collages, sailing scenes, and some stunning wildlife studies by Stan Painter and Ann Quinton.

"We are delighted with the quality of the work – it's fantastic. Our main problem this year has been finding enough hanging space for it all," said group spokeswoman Kathleen Austin.

"We have had a number of new members join this year and some of those are already exhibiting and to a high standard. The work overall this year features many different styles, different ways of mounting and presenting the work, and is very adventurous."

The group members, who are mainly amateur artists but include a smattering of professionals, worked in watercolour, oils, acrylics, pastels, and art pencils.

Last year more than 1,000 people visited the exhibition at the Trinity Methodist Church Hall, Orwell Road, and the doors were opened early for the first day as eager viewers and buyers began arriving.

The show is on until Friday August 8 from 10am to 9pm, and Saturday August 9 from 10am to 7pm.