A HOSPITAL art exhibition is set to showcase portraits of staff in recognition of the work they have done throughout the pandemic.

The exhibition at Dorset County Hospital will feature work from 10 artists.

Staff at the hospital are now being invited to put their name down to have a chance of getting their portrait done by a local artist and have them included in the gallery. They will be able to keep the portrait after the event.

Wyke Regis artist Becky Blake, who helped to organise the project at DCH, was inspired after taking part in a national project, Portraits for NHS Heroes, last year.

Ms Blake, 49, has worked professionally as an artist for 12 years, said she enjoyed doing the national project as a way of saying thank you to all the hard working NHS staff – but said she wanted to do something which focussed more on her local community.

Ms Blake said she felt these projects gave people who would not normally have the opportunity to get a portrait done have their own painting of themselves.

She said: “It is my way of saying thank you to all those working in the NHS.”

Another artist taking part in the DCH project, Lyn Kirkland, of Portland, said: “I think it is important that we do these portraits so that we have a lasting reminder of this pandemic and so that we don’t forget all the work that the hospital has always done for us.”

The only requirement for people who would like to put their name down for a portrait in the exhibit will be that it must be representative of the role or position within the hospital. People who do not work at the hospital but would like to nominate someone they know who does, are able to nominate them if they have their permission to do so.

Submissions for portraits must be received by this Thursday. If the number of people requesting for a portrait is greater than the number of artists available then names will be drawn from a hat.

If you would like to have your portrait done or nominate someone email becky@beckyblake.co.uk stating your role within the hospital, with a clear photo for the artist to work from.