One of the artists in the Made in Ross arts collective will be leaving the Market House at the end of the month, to focus on her very popular Chinese brush workshops.

Katrina Stephens, who has been involved with Made in Ross since May 2015, very soon after the artists opened the gallery inside the Ross-on-Wye Market House, and she has been a central force in the group; she has been in charge of getting the website up and running, and publicising the group’s endeavours.

When Katrina first joined Made in Ross, it was quite soon after she first moved to the area. “It was a nice way to become involved in the town,” she told the Ross Gazette.

The Made in Ross artists are a friendly, closely knit group, and Katrina enjoyed working with them. “They’re really nice people,” she said. “Even though I’m not going to be a part of it, I’ll still pop in.”

A special exhibition of Katrina’s work is currently on display and up for sale in the Market House to celebrate Chinese New Year - the year of the rooster, which falls on Saturday, January 28th.

Katrina told the Gazette that it is believed the year of the rooster should be full of positive events, and progress, honour and integrity.

Katrina’s Chinese brush painting workshops have really taken off since she first came to Ross-on-Wye. They were first held at Pengethley Manor, but now take place at the Chase Hotel.

Katrina is also currently hosting an exhibition at Ross Library, where the participants who attend her workshops have their art on display. This began on Monday, January 23rd, and will take place until Saturday, February 4th.

Katrina hopes to establish more Chinese painting workshops, not only in Ross-on-Wye, she has had some interest from groups near Gloucester and in Bath.