Two Opportunities to Stimulate the Mind in Dorchester on February 15th

Friday February 15^th sees two mind stimulating activities for those that want to shake up their ‘grey matter’.

Weymouth Life Drawing Group, run by Susan R Hughes and Dorchester Arts are both registered as Mind Your Head Challenge Brain Cells and have very different events on almost next door to each other.

‘Encounters’ at Dorset County Museum starts with a  private viewing. It is a collaboration between a group of regional artists, Wessex Contemporary Artists and the museum, who through encountering the artefacts on display created new artwork which aims to re-examine the museum’s collection.

Susan’s contribution to this exhibition re-encounters the portrait of Emma Gifford (the 1^st Mrs Thomas Hardy). The outcome is a combined series of images in words and pictures from their early romance that explores themes of identity, love, loss and bereavement.

The exhibition continues till 7^th June and also includes workshops and artists talks. Contact Dorset County Museum, Dorchester for more detail by email secretary@dorsetcountymuseum.org or telephone 01305 262735

Dorchester Arts are celebrating the life of Edith Piaf at the Corn Exchange. Edith Piaf has become synonymous with French Cabaret of the 1940s and ‘50s. In this Valentine celebration, and to mark the 50th anniversary of her death, Eve Loiseau sings the legendary songs of Edith Piaf  including La Vie en Rose, Sous le Ciel de Paris and Non Je Ne Regrette Rien, with Fiona Barrow on violin and Edward Jay on accordion. www.Piaf-the-songs.co.uk

PIAF – THE SONGS with Eve Loiseau starts at 8pm and tickets are £15 / £14 / £13 available from Dorchester Arts:  01305 266926 or www.dorchesterarts.org.uk