Falmouth Art Gallery’s current exhibition celebrates a recent bequest from the artist, art teacher and collector, Brenda Pye who died in 2014.

Brenda became a resident of St Mawes in 1976 and filled the walls of her home with the work of her artist friends, including Sir Terry Frost, Barrie Cook, Rosie Scott, Alan Davie and John Wells. The Life of Pye exhibition showcases her personal art collection for the first time in public.

Brenda’s family lived in St Mawes for many years and in 1976 she bought Pomerys, the former garage with the much photographed petrol pumps. She used the ground floor as her art studio, creating commissions in screen printing, etching and stained glass. Most notably she produced a large stained glass window to a design by Sir Terry Frost which is installed at the Phoenix Art Centre in Exeter. For many years she also ran drawing classes in her home.

Generous, and proud of her village, Brenda was a parish councillor for eight years, taking the chair between 1997/8. She was a keen sailor and Commodore of the St Mawes Sailing Club from 1984-88. She also invited the Gig Club to share the ground floor of Pomerys.

The exhibition preview event was attended by many of her St Mawes and artist friends. Henrietta Boex, director of Falmouth Art Gallery, said: "Brenda was a long term friend and supporter of Falmouth Art Gallery and we are most privileged to now house her wonderful art collection."

Life of Pye can be seen at Falmouth Art Gallery until January 28. The gallery is open Monday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm and admission free. For information on this exhibition contact Donna Williams on 01326 313863 or info@falmouthartgallery.com.