A TALENTED artist who relocated to Inverclyde just over a year ago to get back to her roots is celebrating the friendships she has made with a unique event in Greenock.
Tosca Lahiri left Wolverhampton for Greenock in May 2022 to pursue her dream of living in a more 'rugged and rural' community in Scotland, to be closer to her heritage.
Arriving in Inverclyde not knowing anyone at all, she made strong connections quickly through her passion for art and literature.
To say 'thank-you' to everyone who has supported her since she settled in Greenock, and to make even more new friends, Tosca is running a weekend-long event called The Imaginarium.
Running on September 23 and 24 at the West End Gallery in Campbell Street, which is the birthplace of Scottish composer Hamish MacCunn, the open house will bring creative minds together.
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Tosca said she hopes people will come along to 'celebrate the richness of artistic expression'.
Tosca said: "I arrived here not knowing anyone and have met a lot of amazing people in a short space of time.
"This event about bringing everyone together that I've met and celebrating all of our talents.
"It will help me thank them for their friendship and allow me to give something back to the community.
"It's a celebration of how we've all joined together through using our creativity."
Tosca started painting when she was a child and winning her first competition at 14 made her realise she wanted to be an artist.
She gained a degree in Fine Art from Wolverhampton University and after experimenting with different mediums, she's settled on acrylics.
Tosca recently took over McGilp's pop-up shop in Gourock where people were introduced to her bright and colourful works.
She said she's happy to get back to her roots in Scotland and says it's helping to inform her painting.
Tosca added: "My mum was born in Scotland and my grandparents lived in Kirkintilloch, so I used to spend summer holidays there.
"Greenock is perfect for me.
"I have the countryside on my doorstep and I can walk down to the esplanade.
"I'm inspired by different aspects of nature and living here has definitely informed my work."
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Tosca will be joined by fantasy novelist Michael Taylor, Louise Barson, Fi Marks, Karen Fourie, Nicholas Palmer and Paula Telizyn at The Imaginarium.
The event will run from 10am to 4pm each day.
Admission is free.
To find out more visit imaginariumshow.com
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