The Thelma Hulbert Gallery has been celebrating after winning the Arts category at the prestigious Exeter Living Awards 2019.

The awards ceremony took place in the Great Hall, University of Exeter on Thursday, March 7, and was hosted by David Flatman, former rugby union player and sports pundit.

Thelma Hulbert Gallery (THG) was chosen from a field of finalists from other highly respected arts organisations from Exeter and the surrounding area.

Finalists included Exeter Phoenix, Dreadnought South West, Substance & Shadow Theatre and The Young Pretenders Theatre Company.

The judges commented: "The Thelma Hulbert Gallery offers a remarkable range of exhibitions, and is an innovative, unsung hero in the community."

Fiona Page-Turner THG's fundraising and marketing officer said: "We are absolutely thrilled. To be recognised amongst such prestigious arts organisations means a huge amount to us.

"We have achieved so much in terms of increased engagement, innovative events and original ways of interacting with new audiences in the past year.

"We are a small but really dynamic gallery, which is just going from strength to strength. Last year we celebrated our best attended exhibition ever and this year we have secured and are currently hosting a top national touring exhibition from the Arts Council Collection, London."

Councillor Andrew Moulding, chairman of East Devon District Council said: "Many congratulations to Thelma Hulbert Gallery. As chairman of East Devon District Council, who own and manage the gallery, I am very proud of THG winning the Exeter Living arts award.

"This is a great achievement and recognition of all the hard work undertaken by both officers and the gallery volunteers, drawing in visitors and groups not just from Exeter but from all across Devon. This award recognizes THG as the premier destination for arts in the area."

The gallery is currently hosting On Paper: An Arts Council Collection Touring Exhibition, until May 18. It showcases the work of acclaimed 20th Century contemporary artists including Roy Lichtenstein, Bridget Riley and Damien Hirst among many others.

Picture: Fiona Page-Turner, marketing and fundraising officer and councillor Andrew Moulding, chairman of East Devon District Council.