Karyn Fraser is the local artist who is making the biggest impact. She was born in Wick and is a graduate of Gray's School of Art in Aberdeen and Birmingham City University, where she studied fine art.

She has combined the roles of artist and self-employed tutor to build a successful career over many years with several solo and group exhibitions. Her delicately expressed paintings capture her love of Caithness with its big skies, wide expanses and wonderful light.

This show is largely inspired by the coastline at Reiss close to her home at Ackergill.

Her exhibition includes a stunning group of 10 large oils depicting the sea and sand at different times of day. The works are double-hung and form a memorable 20ft spread of light and colour.

A surprise debut exhibition by a local artist occupies the other end of the main gallery and presents a complete contrast to Karyn's work.

Cameras have always been a part of Wick-born Alistair Steven's life and he has amassed a huge collection of photographs of people and places, snippets of life and culture from around the world.

Alistair prefers to create his highly original work using the full, in-camera potential of his Nikon DSLR to record a wide range of subject matter, mood and colour. This selection consists mostly of views of the interiors and exteriors of the Wick St Fergus and Bridge Street churches, transformed into haunting surrealist images.

The central display this year is devoted to bright, colourful and imaginative ceramics by Polish artist Paula Solanska. She is a graduate of the European Academy of Arts in Warsaw. Over the last four years she has developed an innovative technique of producing ceramic paintings, fired and glazed and at times combined with other materials. Her subjects embrace the themes of femininity, time, archetypes and tradition intertwined with modernity.

David Usborne grew up in the USA and is a graduate of Balliol College, Oxford and the Architectural Association School of Architecture, London.

A view of Wick River as depicted by local artist Karyn Fraser.

During a lifetime of teaching design he has built up an extensive collection of cherished objects, not works of art or antiques of great value, but instead everyday things which fascinate because of their shape or the mystery of their purpose.

This selection of 50 curious items is part of David's recent London exhibition. An accompanying book is on sale with 200 pages of amazing finds to keep you guessing for hours.

The exhibition and book are quite literally "eye-openers" and are proving great fun for children.

The centre's tribute to Mike Rand, the popular artist and musician who lived in Strathy until his untimely death last year, continues in the Foyer Gallery.

For those who were unable to attend the May 1 celebration of his life and work, this display of his beautiful prints and paintings will continue to be on view throughout the season.

Lastly there is a small but delightful display of silver jewellery by Angus McBay.

Angus was born in Wick and has spent most of his adult life living and working in Caithness, teaching technical subjects.

However, he has also built up a reputation as a gifted silversmith and his work is in great demand. His jewellery often makes references to natural forms and landscape and his designs are both contemporary and timeless, but always tasteful.

The exhibition continues until August 31 and is open daily from noon until 5pm.

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