CIGAR-BOX guitars, pet portraits and artworks inspired by honesty shops, will be showcased at Watchet’s Mayfly gallery in the final part of a season of exhibitions highlighting a wide range of West Somerset artistic and creative talent.

The shows are a tribute to Nick Cotton, artist, gallery-owner and local historian who died suddenly last December and who dreamed up the generous scheme to offer free one-week exhibition space to local artists, craftspeople and charities.

The programme been taken over by his daughter Jennie Jukes and friends and supporters in order to keep the event going in Nick’s memory. 

“This was such an important project for our dad, so to be able to see wonderful artists and creatives showing their work in the Mayfly studio has been really special for our family,” Jennie said.

“Feedback from the exhibitors has been great - they have thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to show what, for some exhibitors has been a hidden talent, meeting and chatting to local people and visitors to Watchet.”

Co-organiser Donna Terry added: “I’ve loved organising this year’s diverse programme of exhibitors and I’m thrilled that it’s been so successful.”

An exhibition based on the local LETS mutual aid network, led by Liz Passmore, will be on display from July 12-19. The display will explain what the group does, including walks, shared meals, plant swaps, seasonal parties and helping charitable causes.

Self-taught musical instrument-maker Antony Moggridge of locally-based Shonky Musical Instruments and AM Guitars, will have an eclectic range of musical creations on display from July 19-26, made from unlikely materials like cigar boxes, parts of snooker tables and beams from a demolished cider factory.

Rebecca Edwards will be presenting her immersive exhibition “Honesty Shop” at the gallery from July 27-30, from 11am - 4pm. There will be a private view opening on the July 26. 

She says: “My question is: What would be the ultimate purchase if we could buy anything?” She explains that the experience has been influenced by Taoism and by the honesty shops around her home in West Somerset.

The work of wildlife and pet portrait artist Donna Terry will be on display at the Mayfly Studio from August 2-9, Donna also writes tutorials and product reviews for online art magazines and has recently produced a series of watercolours of Watchet.

Retired polymath and Watchet resident Robin Adeney will be bringing his personalised automata to the gallery from August 10-18 - moving cartoons which charm and delight. A combination of traditional and computerised skills, the automata are guaranteed to leave you chuckling.

Advice on how to make gardens more hedgehog friendly, and general advice on preserving this threatened species, will be available at the Watchet Hedgehog Society display from August 19-25. This was one of last year’s most successful Mayfly events and new attractions will include a children’s competition.

The society is also sharing the gallery with the Taunton Men in Sheds organisation which combines teaching new skills with support and socialising. Among their popular products are hedgehog houses.