A Suffolk youth and arts centre has been converted into a “white space” gallery offering young contemporary artists a chance to exhibit in a professional environment – with monitoring from more established names.

East Anglian Daily Times: The Big Pencils 'People and Places' exhition is being held between Christmas and New Year at the Fayap centre in Framlingham. L-R Spadge Hopkins, Eddie Shotton, Fiona Howard, Hattie Hopkins. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWNThe Big Pencils 'People and Places' exhition is being held between Christmas and New Year at the Fayap centre in Framlingham. L-R Spadge Hopkins, Eddie Shotton, Fiona Howard, Hattie Hopkins. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN

The Big Pencils Art Exhibition returns to the FAYAP Youth and Arts Centre in Framlingham from Wednesday-Friday.

FAYAP project manager and artist Spadge Hopkins said: “We decided to repeat the experience of our successful exhibition from this time last year. It will give young, highly talented artists the opportunity to exhibit in a professional environment, and work with and be mentored by more experienced and established artists; although I doubt visitors will be able to tell which art is which, such is the talent on show.

“Thanks to volunteer effort, support from Arts Framlingham and our district councillor Christopher Hudson we have managed to put this on at no cost to the artists themselves and all sales will be commission free.

“Visitors will be invited to make a small donation towards the upkeep of the FAYAP Centre that supports young people through various activities and services throughout the year.”

East Anglian Daily Times: The Big Pencils 'People and Places' exhition is being held between Christmas and New Year at the Fayap centre in Framlingham. L-R Spadge Hopkins, Eddie Shotton, Fiona Howard, Hattie Hopkins. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWNThe Big Pencils 'People and Places' exhition is being held between Christmas and New Year at the Fayap centre in Framlingham. L-R Spadge Hopkins, Eddie Shotton, Fiona Howard, Hattie Hopkins. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN

The open evening is 6-10pm on Wednesday, December 27, and the exhibition is open 11am-4pm, Thursday and Friday.

Artists taking part in the People and Places exhibition are: Ruby Brooks; Jack Browning; Tobias Ford; Hattie Hopkins; Jo Lea and Joanne Penfold.

The FAYAP Centre is within the grounds of Thomas Mills High School in Saxtead Road.