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Manx folklore exhibition drawing to a close

Rebecca Brahde
BBC News, Isle of Man
JULIA ASHBY SMYTH An illustration of a woman with curly ginger flowing hair. She has grey-blue eyes and is wearing a decadent silver mask and crown with a long-sleeved green ball gown, and has feathered wings.JULIA ASHBY SMYTH
Fand, the queen of the sea, is one of the 77 illustrations featured in the exhibit

An exhibition that shines a spotlight on lesser known Manx Folklore figures is set to draw to a close.

Rare Sightings and Urban Fairies, which features 77 illustrations created by Julia Ashby Smyth, runs until Sunday at the Manx Museum.

On Saturday and Sunday, the artist will be at the venue with her sketchbook from 12:30 until 15:00 GMT to talk to those interested about her designs.

The exhibition features fairy tales, myths and legends from "the wet, the weird, the dark, the airy and the mossy".

An illustration of Manannan, a large man with a decadent cloak. He has long flowing white hair, and beard and moustache and is holding a staff. Other artworks, including a yellow illustration and tree figure, are visible on the walls of the exhibition in the background.

As an illustrator for more than 40 years, Ms Smyth's work has featured on stamp collections and coins as well as publications such as Sophia Morrison's Manx Fairy Tales.

Reflecting on the response to the exhibition, she said she was "completely overwhelmed by how it has been received" and was "really pleased and humbled by the response".

JULIA ASHBY SMYTH A striking image of a woman with long hair and green piercing eyes. Her is dark with white and grey and white shades added and white feathers coming out of it.JULIA ASHBY SMYTH
The exhibition at the Manx Museum finishes on Sunday

The exhibition features some of the better known characters in Manx folklore such as Manannan, and the Moddey Dhoo as well as some of the lesser known figures.

Admission for the exhibition, which has been open since 26 October, is free.

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