Stained-glass artist Simone Kay has launched an exhibition of her one-a-day pictures at the Rose Theatre in style. Fresh from refurbishing the stained-glass windows of St Andrew’s church in Maple Road, Surbiton, Sim opened the show of her largely local paintings and drawings with a party which also marked her 60th birthday. One particularly special

Stained-glass artist Simone Kay has launched an exhibition of her one-a-day pictures at the Rose Theatre in style.

Fresh from refurbishing the stained-glass windows of St Andrew’s church in Maple Road, Surbiton, Sim opened the show of her largely local paintings and drawings with a party which also marked her 60th birthday.

One particularly special gift she received at the event was a glass sculpture by Dale Chihuly – the American artist whose works were recently on show at Kew Gardens. She squealed with delight as she unwrapped the artwork by a creator whose colourful glass designs and monuments she greatly admires. When lit from inside, the effect is remarkable.

The show of Sim Kay’s daily observational paintings of local life runs on the walls of Kingston’s Rose Theatre’s foyer and upper floors for the next two months. Entry is free.

When lit from inside, the dazzling beauty of Chihuly’s glass sculpture is revealed