FIVE new artists were welcomed by a local co-operative with a private viewing of their work last Wednesday.

Over 50 guests were welcomed by Waterfront Gallery director David Randell and mayor Phyllis Williams.

Councillor Williams said: "People look around the gallery and see things through different eyes. The vision of these people is wonderful."

New exhibitors include sculptor Perryn Butler, a Pembroke-born artist living in Haverfordwest. She also has an exhibition opening in Haverfordwest Library today (Wednesday) and a one-woman show starting in Tenby later in the month.

Her work concentrates on human figures, following Perryn's self-confessed obsession with lovers.

Paintings by Antonella Sauro also focus on the figurative human form.

This is the Milford Haven artist's first professional exhibition.

Antonella has experimented with a number of materials and media and enjoys exploring the physical properties of paints and printing materials.

She was told last week that she is to receive an entrepreneurial scholarship through the National Assembly.

Riitta Sinkkonen Davies is a weaver who uses the colour and texture of her medium to represent landscapes of her native Finland and adopted Pembrokeshire.

She specialises in linen and was chosen to weave robes for the Archbishop of Wales. The Freystrop artist has a wide variety of work on display, ranging from framed pictures to wall hangings and scarves.

Work by potters Neil Richardson and Mick Morgan were shown, but the artists were unable to attend the viewing.

Carol and Michael Francis of Francis Ceramics have also joined the group recently. The Llanfyrnach-based couple have been active in the international art market for many years.

They have recently begun combining their skills to produce pottery and tiles together.