Some of the finest artists in Norwich and Norfolk will be showing off their work in the city during July.

They are a group of people with a difficult task – one which never gets any easier.

It is their job to decide which paintings and sculptures should make up the annual show put on by the talented members of the Norfolk and Norwich Art Circle.

This historic and highly regarded organisation can trace its roots back to 1885 and over the years has helped to encourage and develop the work of many hundreds of artists.

Men and women of all ages and all walks of life, brought together by a common love of art. We live in a city and county which has, and still is, producing some brilliant artists.

With a membership of amateur and professional artists, the selection panel have an almost impossible job in making a choice from the many fine works submitted for the 181st exhibition. The chosen paintings and sculptures represent a wide range of styles and themes.

It is always exciting to discover the ideas and inspiration behind those completed paintings.

Take Norman Sidebottom's intriguing Let Us Know You're Back. Who will she meet, where is she going?

And we can imagine what these five fishermen are saying to each other as they gaze out to sea, cigarette smoke drifting out behind them in Paul Cozens' illustration.

The sea theme is continued with Johno Yanking The Winch Line, by Jane Hodgson. You can almost feel the sea spray in your face.

Among the increasing number of sculptures displayed are a striking rendition of a recumbent hare, perhaps soaking up the sunshine, by M Richardson, simply called Hare, and Slipper Orchard, by John Robinson.

This small collection of works on display at the show illustrate how talented these people are, producing pieces which bring so much pleasure to others.

Members of the circle over the years have included the likes of Seago, Munnings and Arnesby Brown, whose work is now sought after by art lovers across the world. Today a new generation are following in their famous footsteps.

The Norfolk and Norwich Art Circle 181st Exhibition of Paintings and Sculpture is at the Hostry, Norwich Cathedral, from July 3 to July 14, open from 9.30am to 4pm and admission is free.