A SNAPSHOT of Creative Thought is an exhibition currently on display at Cheltenham Art Gallery & Museum.

The art work has been produced by University of Gloucestershire Graphic Design and Illustration students; and is presented in a postcard format in this exciting collaborative project. Stimulated by the diverse collections at Cheltenham Art Gallery & Museum, 50 students have each created a postcard' using a mixture of techniques and processes.

Kate O'Keefe, Lifelong Learning Officer at the Art Gallery & Museum, said: "It was good to spend some time with the group and get some small insight into their creative process.

"We are all very excited about the final images produced.

"This is part of a wider initiative at the AG&M to look at new ways of working with our collections: we hope the imagination, flair and technical prowess of these young people will help us and our visitors to see our collections through new eyes."

A variety of items have been chosen, for example objects from the Oriental collection including the Oriental Dragon and the China Buddha; the Dowdeswell Pike; the Second World War poster Dig for Victory'; typefaces from enamel signs and a bottle of Chelt' Ale.

Marketing and Information Officer Anna Stanway said: "Collectively, the work in the exhibition provides an alternative panorama of the museum collections, enabling visitors to perhaps discover a different side of an object they have never seen before - some of these objects are on display in the gallery so visitors can uncover the students' creative journeys."

There are a number of free activities and events running as part of this project, including an Art Gallery trail; and a Postcard Story Pack to use during a visit complete with blank postcards, stickers and ideas of how to create postcard stories using the museum collections.

Student illustrators with pieces in the exhibition have valued the experience. Ian Blakeman said: "This was a great opportunity to get your work printed as a postcard and sold at the museum."

Robyn Mcbryde said: "It was interesting to see the different approaches people brought to the objects and the huge variety of media."

And Rachel Hartley added: "I was surprised my card was considered good enough.

"Producing postcards based on objects from the museum is a very good idea because the museum is full of very inspiring objects - come and see the exhibition, it's awesome."

The exhibition continues until this Saturday, January 12 - opening times are 10am-5.20pm, Mondays to Saturdays (open from 11am, first Thursday of each month and closed on Bank Holidays). Admission is free but donations are welcome.