ART has a new home at a bakery which is showcasing work by Dorset artists.

The Phoenix Bakery in St Thomas Street, Weymouth, has teamed up with non-profit contemporary arts organisation South West Artwork.

The organisation, made up of Dorset artists, specialises in displaying work in unusual venues and in the past this has included a de-consecrated church, a water pumping station and a scrapyard.

Now some art can be seen in the front window and walls of the Phoenix’s cafe upstairs.

The Phoenix Bakery, an artisan bakery and café, has proved a hit with Weymouth people since its opening more than a year ago. It is run by master baker Aidan Chapman and his wife Lisa.

Appearing regularly on popular TV series River Cottage, Mr Chapman has been baking for 22 years and has perfected the sponge dough method of baking which he uses at The Phoenix.

It has now opened it doors to South West Artwork in offering them gallery space to showcase work from the artists they represent.

Director of South West Artwork Laura Mulhern said: “We are delighted to have this opportunity for our artists.

“In this current economic climate local businesses working together in this way can really benefit both companies involved and the local economy.

“We replace the art on display with new work every six weeks.”

She added: “Aidan and Lisa are offering a real chance to emerging artists showcase their work on a regular basis to the public.”

The current exhibition up-stairs in the café displays contemporary art of various mediums including work from digital illustrator Nathan Castle, abstract painter Lois Clark, and visual artist Landon Peck.

South West Artwork also has the privilege of exhibiting work by acclaimed local sculptor David Worthington, in the front window of the bakery.

He has produced stone sculptures for over 20 years and has recently completed a commissioned piece for Henderson Global Investors which can be seen in Great Queen Street, Covent Garden.

David’s sculpture Tripod Family can be viewed in the bakery until the end of March.

South West Artwork will also be exhibiting emerging and established talent at the new B+B Weymouth from early March.