A NEW exhibition has opened at the People’s Pop-Up Gallery.

Isle of Wight charity Independent Arts has transformed an empty space on Newport High Street into a vibrant art gallery and wellbeing hub for art projects.

More than 50 people attended the launch event last month, including councillors and IA trustees.

The gallery's opening exhibition was Time and Tide, featuring artistic responses to local history.

On Saturday (June 8), a new exhibition opened called Reconnections, featuring work created by people living in residential care. It highlights the power art has to reconnect people to their environment and sense of self.

The charity was founded to change lives through art, and the gallery and wellbeing hub will act as a social prescribing referral service for anyone that might benefit, mentally or physically, from the projects.

Social prescribing is where people receive non-medical help to improve their health and wellbeing through activities delivered in a social setting.

Most of the artwork due to be exhibited has been produced either at therapeutic workshops run by the charity, or in environments designed to give artistic opportunities to people and children of all backgrounds.

Chair of trustees Wendy Varley said: "Independent Arts will always be a charity delivering arts programmes for the benefit of the most vulnerable people on the Isle of Wight; people of all ages experiencing disadvantage or social isolation, those with long term health problems and elderly people in care homes."

The gallery is open from 10.30am to 3.30pm, Thursday, Friday and Saturdays.

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