VISITORS to Salisbury Arts Centre in Bedwin Street, cannot fail to notice the stunning Yew Tree exhibition currently on display in the entrance and caf area.

The exhibition is the culmination of a major project undertaken by more than 40 artists, who were each given a piece of the yew tree that sadly had to be felled to make way for the new extension, as part of the centre's major refurbishment programme two years ago.

Jill Low, director of the Arts Centre, said: "As well as recycling the tree and giving it a new life, which was an important objective, Yew Tree would enhance the Arts Centre's commitment to the visual arts and enable it to connect with artists and crafts people in a new way."

All the artworks are for sale and this is a unique chance to own a piece of the tree that stood for more than 200 years.

Exhibits range from jewellery made from slices of a branch to furniture, wall hangings, sculpture and photography, and each work is really quite special.

Director of Yew Tree, freelance arts consultant Jo Day, said: "This is the most comprehensive craft and art project involving a single yew tree ever undertaken in the United Kingdom.

"The 40 artists have risen to the challenge by producing outstanding work.

"This project will help to further Salisbury Arts Centre's aim to become an original craft development agency."

Once the exhibition finishes, on Saturday, November 18, an archive book will become part of the Arts Centre's permanent collection.

Each of the artists involved has contributed one page of original work for the book, which also relates how the Yew Tree project evolved.

If you have not seen this exhibition yet, I cannot recommend it highly enough.