ST ALBANS' musical heritage is well known far afield from the Roman city. But now, a new exhibition aims to highlight the city's substantial contribution to the visual arts.

Artists St Albans is the latest exhibition at the Museum of St Albans and celebrates its 100-year history of bringing art to the community.

So, a century of art inspired by a beautiful city can be viewed under one roof. Artists brings together an incredibly diverse range of material both old and new, with a wide variety of media employed.

It is perhaps a little-known fact that St Albans has been a home for a number of acclaimed artists over the years, and many of these are featured in the museum's exhibition.

Among the exhibits will be work by the celebrated landscape painter Sir George Clausen, the popular cat artist Louis Wain, who was a patient at Napsbury Hospital during the 1930's, and Cornelius Varley, painter and inventor, who called St Albans home during the early 1880s.

St Albans has also been an inspiration for many artists who, although never lived here, became enchanted by the city's scenes. These artists are also featured at the museum.

But the exhibition, although steeped in history, does not only look to the past. Contemporary work also features prominently, including a wide range of pieces loaned to the museum by artists presently living and working in the area, including Lesley Anne Ivory, Gordon Beningfield and sculptor Diane McLean.

Artists St Albans is open at the Museum of St Albans in Hatfield Road until March 15. Admission is free.

Art lovers who may have missed another exhibition showcasing the best of St Albans talent, have just three days to see it before it closes.

Art Now St Albans focuses on the work which has emerged from the city's art scene in recent years. The three artists featured are graduates of the University of Hertfordshire's Faculty of Art and Design.

And the exhibition represents a return to school for the trio - their work is being shown in the university's Margaret Harvey Gallery in Hatfield Road.

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