A VIRTUAL art gallery has been created at the heart of Longniddry by the village’s church.

Longniddry Parish Church has set up the online gallery, named Elcho Artspace, as a virtual meeting place for creativity, spirituality and community.

The planning team has worked with Auckland-based web design firm Exhibbit to come up with the imaginative and accessible web-based space.

The Rev Robin Hill, minister of Gladsmuir linked with Longniddry, was enthusiastic about the new initiative.

He said: “People of all ages love to express themselves whether through painting, drawing, photography or other media.

“And Longniddry has a long tradition of exhibiting artwork for all the community to enjoy.

“Working with Exhibbit, we have come up with a truly adaptable virtual space of real quality which we hope and trust visitors will like to ‘walk’ around.

“We are looking forward to enjoying all sorts of creativity in time to come.”

Elcho Artspace currently has the capacity to stage exhibitions of up to 30 works.

The intention is to encourage Longniddry’s artists, of all ages, to get creative around key festivals of the church year including harvest, Remembrance, Christmas and Easter.

At other points in the calendar, themed exhibitions will be organised, with Elcho Artspace being made available free of charge to local schools and other community groups for their own exhibitions.

The opening show is now under way on the theme of ‘Summer’ and features artworks by people in the village and beyond.

To visit the gallery, go to elchoartspace.art