Mountbatten Isle of Wight is hosting a wonderful art exhibition featuring the work of some of the hospice charity's staff and volunteers, and it is free to enjoy.

The mixed media exhibition, featuring paintings, photographs and pencil sketches, is on show at the John Cheverton Centre in Halberry Lane, Newport until the end of February 2025.

Among those whose work is featured is Beryl Dimmick, a Mountbatten volunteer for over 35 years.

She has been involved with the charity for so long that a new celebration badge had to be created to mark her milestone!

Beryl has been painting for over 20 years and has three works in the exhibition, including ‘Hang Gliders Over Compton Farm’.

Above, Beryl Dimmick. Below, Suzanne Wolfe.

Painting "helped me no end to meet other people and I still go to classes. I’m still learning all the time," said Beryl, who can spend days at a time on a single piece and can keep going until it 'feels just right'. She uses her painting time to sit in the countryside and forget the troubles of the world.

Suzanne Wolfe volunteers in one of Mountbatten's shops and with the bereavement team, helping people through grief.

Her five works are being displayed as part of her very first exhibition!

Suzanne's art showcases a wide range of mediums, although pen and ink is her favourite.

She began art classes at Mountbatten four years ago, following the death of her husband.

Suzanne said: "Mountbatten and art saved me, because I would have been absolutely lost without them.”

Ian Wright has volunteered across various roles and has five works showcased.

Above, Ian Wright. Below, Pauleena Kirby.

He can spend anything from a couple of hours to a whole week on a painting and takes inspiration from seascapes and woodlands to people and steam trains. He was inspired to get into painting as his mother was a great painter and, in retirement, painting has given him a second wind.

Ian said: “It is great being a part of art clubs. It really keeps the impetus going.”

Pauleena Kirby has two very different pencil sketches in the exhibition. One is of cottages in Godshill and the other is of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves.

She did lots of drawing when she was younger and went on to go to art college.

Pauleena has sold work in the past, with some of her designs even making it onto Christmas cards.

“It can be very therapeutic, as it really helps you focus on what you’re doing. Everyone should give it a go,” said Pauleena, who can spend hours getting the details of a piece right. 

Above, John Luckett. Below, John Sharman.

Fifteen artists are represented at the exhibition and some of their work is being sold.

Mountbatten Isle of Wight provides 24/7 expert end-of-life and palliative care services to around 2,300 people in any one day, in their homes across the Island and in our 16-bed inpatient unit, in Newport, along with other services including rehabilitation, bereavement support and children’s services.

It is one-third funded by the NHS but this money has not risen in line with inflation, and even this is under threat, while our costs continue to rise. Our charity increasingly relies on the two thirds of funding that comes from the community.