A new exhibition to mark the 20th anniversary of Ardess Art Society will be launched later this month by Dr Aideen McGinley.

The exhibition is a celebration of two decades of art in Fermanagh and adjoining counties and will run from Tuesday, June 19 to Saturday, June 23, from 11am to 8pm.

Ardess Art Society is a spin-off from Ardess Craft Centre which was set up by Dorothy Pendry in 1986. The following summer, printmaker John Breakey was running a course at Ardess and a number of his students were bemoaning the fact that there were no local courses in the winter. Dorothy Pendry recalls, "John suggested we set up our own society and after putting an advertisement in local papers the response was quite good and we were on our way."

In the early days what the group lacked in numbers was made up in enthusiasm. Founder members included the late Ros Gibbons, Sister Kathleen O'Donnell and Rev John Scott. Today, Florence McElderry and Doreen Brown are still painting and the group has grown to an average membership of around 30.

Dorothy Pendry said, "I think the most attractive feature of the society has been the calibre of the tutors and the fact that there is a different tutor each meeting. The list of tutors is a roll call of well known names from the art world.

"The first tutor was Mavis Thompson who set a high standard to aim for. Also Richard Croft, RUA, has given many painting demonstrations and Chris Dearden is a firm favourite."

From the early days the society has had an annual exhibition in various venues in Enniskillen but this is the first time to exhibit at Ardess. Over 20 tutors have also been invited to hang paintings and the exhibition will finish on Saturday, June 23 with a painting demonstration by Richard Croft.