Views of St Albans Cathedral are included in the St Albans Art Society Summer Exhibition 2014 that was opened by St Albans Mayor on Thursday last week.

Landscapes, nudes, still life and abstract works are among the pieces of art on display at the free exhibition that runs until July 26. 

There are almost 250 pieces of art from 84 exhibitors, including a sombre scene of a battlefield in Ypres during the First World War.

The exhibition is open from 10am to 6pm, in the old Town Hall, St Albans. Many of the paintings, sculptures, ceramics and greetings cards are for sale. 

Mayor councillor Geoff Harrison performed the official opening of the society’s 63rd exhibition. 

Local artist John May, together with Jude Dyson and Geraint John from St Albans Civic Society, judged the entrants for the society’s awards and the mayor presented the trophies to the winners.

Councillor Harrison said: "I want to congratulate the artists whose work is on display at the exhibition. The standard is extremely high and I was inspired by the variety of media and wide range of subjects. St Albans Art Society plays a very important part in the cultural heritage of our district and I encourage everyone to visit its exhibition."

Edward Bevin, chairman of St Albans Art Society, said: "We are grateful to the mayor for opening our annual exhibition which displays work from many of our 220 members. Our society aims to encourage excellence in the visual arts, and we welcome new members. Once again the quality of art on display is very impressive and we hope that many people will come along to see the works for themselves."