ARTS minister Alan Howarth was in Newent on Tuesday, where he visited two local artists as part of his fact-finding tour of the region.
Mr Howarth had been in Stroud on Monday, where he visited an art gallery.
The following day, he paid a visit to Andrew Stonyer's sculpture studio on Watery Lane, Newent, and the studio of glass artist Pauline Cowdy in Culver Street.
Forest of Dean MP, Diana Organ who accompanied Mr Howarth during his hour-and-a-half stay in the town, said: "It showed that in the Forest of Dean we have top quality commercial artists. He was very impressed."
Mr Stonyer has attracted commissions from the Netherlands, as well as producing work for the Newcastle Metro and various London galleries. After Newent, Mr Howarth visited Gloucester and Gloucester Cathedral.
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