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On This Day in Wembury

2 November 1997 — Mark Turnbull’s First Wembury Exhibition Closes

On this day Western Evening Herald reported the close of Mark Turnbull’s first art exhibition in Wembury, held from 28 October to 2 November. A graduate in Fine Art (BA Hons), Turnbull had studied at Coombe Dean School, Devonport College of Further Education, and Plymouth College before gaining his degree at Coventry. His exhibition drew hundreds of visitors locally and from further afield. Oils and acrylics captured Wembury scenes, including striking views of St Werburgh’s Church and the Mewstone, alongside a self-portrait in oil, still life works, and figure studies in charcoal and pastel. Visiting artist John Wylam of Southampton praised Turnbull’s cloudscapes and skylines as “superior,” calling him a very talented painter.

Turnbull’s debut exhibition shows how Wembury’s landscape continues to inspire artists, while also marking the parish as a place where new talent can gain recognition. His depictions of church, coast, and sky reflect both the timeless appeal of the parish and the energy of a younger generation of artists emerging from South Devon.

Source: Western Evening Herald, 15 November 1997 (reporting exhibition held 28 October – 2 November 1997).