West Dorset’s Justine McGuinness was joined by the former Lib Dem president Lord Navnit Dholakia in Bridport today. They visited both the PVA Media Lab and the Bridport Arts Centre and to find out more about Arts in West Dorset. “The Bridport Arts Centre and the PVA Media Lab showed us today how integral the arts are to our community” said Justine McGuinness.

“I was delighted to show Lord Dholakia that the arts are so strong here in West Dorset.”

Justine and Lord Dholakia also had opportunity to walk around Bridport and listen to local residents as they discussed the issues facing them in their daily lives.

Notes to Editors

1. Lord Dholakia is the Liberal Democrat Front Bench Spokesman on Home Affairs in the House of Lords. He was elected as President of the Liberal Democrats in September 2000. Navnit Dholakia was appointed Baron Dholakia of Waltham Brooks and was introduced to the House of Lords in on 29 October 1997.

2. Bridport Art Centre’s current exhibition is called Rosetta Live in the Allsop Gallery. This is an exhibition of photography, painting, installations and writing that celebrates the voices of people living with life threatening illness. The work they will see has been produced by patients at a number of hospices around the country working in partnership with professional artists in residence. 2 local hospices - Joseph Weld in Dorchester and Trimar in Weymouth - have work represented in the show. The organising body (Rosetta Life) is a national organisation and this exhibition is part of a South West tour.

3. PVA MediaLab has established itself at the heart of artist led activism in the UK, working directly with artists and new technologies. The organisation simply sets out to engage artists, teachers, students and creatives from all backgrounds in the production of new work. The organisation’s strategic role in the UK is to encourage a broad and diverse range of participants and audiences to take part in creative activities that involve new technologies. We exist to promote debate, challenge perceptions and develop opportunities and the economic potential of artists. We work locally, regionally, nationally and internationally to achieve this.

For further information contact Anna Warrington 01305 26 88 54