The Art Gallery in Svilengrad has opened an exhibition of paintings from the 12th edition of the "Painted Feelings" national plein-air event. Mayor Anastas Karchev came to the opening and looked over the artists' work.

The plein-air event is part of Svilengrad's yearly town festival programme. Ten artists took part this autumn - seven visiting from other towns and three local ones. The visiting artists were Elitsa Karabashlieva from Varna; Elisaveta Angelova, Nikolay Angelov and Atanas Velkov from Burgas; Daniel Rusev from Haskovo; and Damyan Baev and Teodora Dzhambazova from Stara Zagora. Svilengrad was represented by Petrana Petrova, Zlatomira Kostova and Yanisa Georgieva.

For six days the artists painted at different spots in and around Svilengrad, and the gallery itself turned into a working studio for that time. They drew inspiration from the town's historic sites, the surrounding countryside and the distinct look of Svilengrad's streets.

The work produced 20 paintings in a mix of techniques - watercolour, oil and acrylic. The canvases show the old bridge over the Maritsa river, the river and its fish, town buildings and still lifes, as well as mythical and fantastical figures from the artists' imaginations.

At the opening, the visiting artists talked about their impressions of Svilengrad and its atmosphere. They thanked the municipality for organising the event well and for its hospitality, adding that they found plenty of interesting subjects in the town, each shaped in their own way.

As is the tradition, the artists donated their paintings to Svilengrad municipality. The works stay in the municipal collection, adding to the town's store of art.

The exhibition can be seen at the Art Gallery in Svilengrad until the end of October, giving locals and visitors plenty of time to take it in.