Congratulations to Shaping Newport for persuading the National Gallery in London to bring its touring exhibition "Art On Your Doorstep" to our county town!
A total of 18 life-size facsimile works from the gallery are now displayed around Newport until October, completely free for everyone to walk around and admire.
Please go and see them.
My favourites are the New York dockers waiting for work on the side of Quay Arts, and the "surprised" tiger displayed at the bus station, painted by Rousseau.
Rousseau was, as you will recall, an amateur painter who worked as a customs officer and painted in his spare time, and that ties in nicely with the work of Independent Arts, who encourage people of all ages from all walks of life on the Island to try their hands at painting and craft at creative workshops.
On display in their window is the portrait of Giovanni Arnolfini and his wife, painted in 1434 in Bruges.
This was a breakthrough picture in its time, with its use of perspective, and the details of the house and clothing on display.
How would you look if a painting were made of you, now, in your home?
Would it tell us as much about you as we can work out about Mr Arnolfini?
How do these paintings help us today?
Well, if just one person waiting for the bus looks at the side of the library and studies Rousseau's tiger, or Van Gogh's Sunflowers in Castlehold Lane, and it inspires them with an idea for something new, either decorative or useful, our patrimony of art has been useful.
Plus, for those who are less able to travel, it helps to have the gallery come to you for a change.
As I am in Newport during the week, I have been able to revisit some of the work or just pass by it every day.
It sparks some interesting conversations with strangers.
Are we going back to the days of uncertain work? Looking at the dockers.
Can you see the steam train going onto the bridge in Renoir's Skiff at the Riverside Centre?
Why did Henry VIII hang on to the portrait of Christina of Denmark, on display in Cockrams Yard? How come she was also Duchess of Milan and a widow at 16?
The stories behind some of these works are still relevant today.
Throughout the Island last week, we had a wonderful opportunity to see how many talented and creative people live among us, with the Open Studios initiative. Local artists opening their doors to show off the work they have done over the winter, and what a cornucopia it is.
Weavers, stitchers, potters, wood carvers, painters, etchers and many more making beautiful things, and all across the Island.
There was a fabulous display of glass works at Arreton, wonderful pottery in Bonchurch and at Quarr Abbey, great paintings in Gurnard, and beautiful bedcovers made in Cowes.
Brighstone and Freshwater both seem very artistic places judging by the guide.
For a small Island, only 22 miles long and 12 miles across, it is going to take a long time to see it all.
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