Visual arts and music to provide a unique evening

Thanks to a grant from the Esme Fairbairn Foundation, Number 8 in Pershore has invited visual artist Bob Devereux to leave St Ives, Cornwall, and prepare and install an exhibition just for the centre.

His exhibition, An Optimistic Space, runs from Thursday, October 27 to Tuesday, November 15.

Bob Devereux is a painter and poet and Number 8 is pleased to be hosting an evening of poetry and music on the opening night of the exhibition starting at 7.30pm.

Performing with musician Adrian O'Reilly during the evening is a unique crossing of boundaries between visual arts, music and word.

Poet and painter Bob and guitarist Adrian have built themselves an impressive following in the West Country for their unique blend of works and music.

Adrian is an inspirational, acoustic, guitarist and his improvisations blend seamlessly with Bob's poetic words.

Both are highly regarded performers and creative artists in their own fields and their collaboration is one to savour.

He moved to Cornwall to paint and write in 1965 and has been painting pictures in words ever since. He worked the country's folk clubs in the seventies with own groups Mask and later with banjo player Clive Palmer. Since 1980 he has been writing libretti for leading classical composers. Operas and choral works have been heard here and in Germany, Japan and Korea.

Adrian was born in Ireland but has lived in Cornwall since 1972. He has performed widely at major festivals in Britain and Europe both as a solo player and as a duet with Pete Berryman. Their album Duet was awarded four stars by Guitar Magazine.

The night is sure to be both atmospheric and beautiful - a real intoxication of the senses.

Tickets are £7 and include a free glass of wine for all ticketholders. Tickets can be obtained on the door or from our box office on 01386 555488 subject to availability.

s Visual and musical artist Bob Devereux, left, and Adrian O'Reilly are in Pershore this month.