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Royal artist returns to Devon with stunning new exhibition

Alan Cotton MBE, a Westcountry artist known for his palette knife technique and royal connections, is returning to Devon with a new exhibition of landscapes from the Otter Valley and North Devon. The show, held at Kennaway House in Sidmouth from April 28 to May 4, marks his first public gallery showing in the region since 2015. Cotton, who once served as tour artist for King Charles when he was Prince of Wales, has works in the King's collection and exhibited at Buckingham Palace in 2025. His early life included homemade paint brushes made from his mother's hair, and he later became a BBC presenter and honorary professor at the University of Bath.

Local artist joins Devon Open Studios with new exhibition

Hundreds of artists across Devon will open their studios to the public from September 6-21 as part of the Devon Open Studios event, with over 400 artists participating across 170 venues. Among them is Exmouth artist Ray Balkwill, who will open his Studio Gallery for three days (September 6-8) with a new exhibition titled 'Connections,' featuring his recent assemblages and ceramics alongside his traditional watercolours, pastels, and oils inspired by the Exe Estuary.