BRINGING a touch of artistic flair to the new year Alcester's Venue Xpresso presents two special guests who will demonstrate their skills.

This month's artist at work in the window will be local teenager James Staley, who will give a demonstration of creating abstract art on Saturday, January 28.

There will also be the chance to enjoy a monologue and poetry evening with local actress Robin Stubbs, from television shows Howard's Way and The Upper Hand. She will be appearing along with four other main acts and a number of other local characters.

Tickets have already sold out for this event, but proprietor Carol Lane is already organising more similar events for later in the year.

The High Street coffee house recently showcased artists including Eddie Flynn who gave a demonstration of mono printing and also worked in acrylics on a picture of local guitarist Melvin, of the Notorious Brothers. There was also a watercolour painting demonstration by Sally Wilkinson, who worked on a picture of St Nicholas' church and professional artist Gary Nicklin from Henley-in-Arden worked on a portrait of Marlon Brando.