Shropshire artist to showcase at national art exhibition

Maximillion Baccanello, from Bishop's Castle, is internationally renowned as a top portrait painter, and is set to showcase his latest work at the exhibition beginning next Wednesday.

He said: "I'm looking forward to it. It was a great success last year, and I hope it will be the same this year."

The artist has recently exhibited at the Society of Portrait Sculptors exhibition, at the London Cork Street Gallery, where he was awarded the Tiranti Prize for under-30 Sculptor of the Year.

The 25-year-old artist said: "It started when I was just a little kid I suppose, I always loved it. I was just told to stick at what you enjoy, and luckily I did.

"I'm always improving though, never happy with settling on how I am. Life is an improvement with art, really."

Now back in Shropshire, Mr Baccanello will be holding a workshop on May 30, exploring a range of drawing techniques and tools, where participants will be able to develop their techniques.

He said: "I'll be focusing on classical drawing techniques at the workshop. I do really enjoy holding them, it's a great pleasure to see how people develop over the course."

With more than 600 visitors last year, the exhibition hopes to raise the profile of arts in the area.

Mr Baccanello said: "I think it's important to get more and more names of artists out there, and meet some new clients too."

Nick Pettingale, director of external relations at the college, said: "Our goal is to see the artistic talent, both local and national, celebrated and given a higher profile in the region.

"There will be something for every taste and pocket, you can buy for your home, seek an investment piece for the future or simply enjoy the stimulation of seeing some of the nation's most outstanding professional artists exhibiting in the splendour of the Big School Hall at Ellesmere."

For more information, visit www.ellesmere.com