THE SECOND exhibition of the Democracy in Bridport project will open today (24).

The exhibition at Bridport Town Hall will run until Saturday, October 24 from 10am until 4pm.

The exhibition will include tow large powerful paintings by Ricky Romain depicting what it looks like to live in a democracy and what it is like without one.

Visitors can also enjoy three photographic essays.

Rosie Mathisen will place the viewer in the lad around Bridport, revealing why it appears as it does and how 21st century pressures and opportunities continue to change and renew it.

Chris Hilton has told a moving story about how a local former soldier works every minute he can to improve his family's possibilities and yet finds that he can at best only stand still.

Robert Golden's essay, Resistance, is a look at everyday Bridport life and how it reflects people's attempts to maintain their identity in the face of political, economic and cultural pressures to conform.

The front windows of the council chambers have been filled with colourful images depicting Bridport's democratic history - created with a mixed age range group of local artists, facilitated by Claire Winterbottom.

The project's website will feature additional information, essays, pictures and a series of audio recordings by local writer Murdoch Mactaggart.

The organiser of the project, Robert Golden, hopes people will spend time looking and reading, being entertained and challenged and will engage with the artists who will at times be in attendance.

Visitors are encouraged to leave notes and ideas for further discussion.

For more information, please visit bridportdemocracy.weebly.com