Aynuk art to go under hammer
His cheeky grin and infectious humour is as well known in the Black Country as faggots and paes.
And now an image of the popular comic Aynuk is being committed to canvas for an auction as part of Black Country Day.
Wordsley's Red House Glass Cone is hosting a three day festival of comedy, music and poetry for the Black Country Festival from July 11 to 13.
And the master of mirth himself is having his mischievous smile recreated for a painting to be auctioned off during the weekend.
Wollaston-based artist David Jones, aged 38, has been commissioned to create a painting of Aynuk, aka Alan Smith, for the festival, organised between Dudley Council and KMS events. The oil-based painting is in its final stages ready to go on sale for charity with proceeds for the day going to the Tettenhall Horse and Donkey Sanctuary.
Mr Jones, who also teaches art classes and had worked for fine art companies, said: "With Aynuk what I'm aiming to do is bring out his smile and his cheeky grin. I'm putting the finishing touches to it now."
Black Country Day takes place on July 14 and aims to celebrate all things which are great about the area. The festival which is being held as part of the celebrations will kick off with A Black Country Night Out on the Friday featuring comedy from Aynuk and the Fizzogs, musician Black Country Gaz, Emma Rollason as Dolly Allen and The Sponners. Tickets for the comedy evening cost £10 and are available from www.wegottickets.com
On Saturday there is a day-long cultural event which costs £5 per person with under-14s free.This will feature live music, performance art, dancing, art exhibitions and a performance by the creators of the Black Country Anthem, band The Empty Can. Sunday is given over to poetry and spoken word including performances by Heather Wastie, Billy Spakemon, Brendan Hawthorne and Dave Reeves.
Deputy council leader, Councillor Pete Lowe, said: "The Black Country is famous for its industrial heritage, but we also have a strong tradition of comedy and music. Our friendly accent and inventive dialect lends itself well to lyrics and poetry.
Tickets and further information from www.kmsevents.co.uk and www.katiefitzgeralds.co.uk The festival preceeds the Stourbridge Folk Festival, headlined by The Strawbs which is due to run at the Red House Glass Cone between September 5, 6 and 7.
