AN EXHIBITION featuring drawings from some of the world’s most celebrated artists has opened at Poole Museum - and it is already going down a storm with visitors.

Work by Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Rembrandt, Picasso, Matisse and Hockney, is on show as part of the ‘Lines of thought: Drawing from Michelangelo to now’ exhibition.

Poole Museum was chosen as the launch venue for the showcase – which includes 70 drawings – by the British Museum, where the graphic collection is normally housed.

Museum and arts programme manager Shauna Wilson said: “We’ve had a lot of people say how inspiring it has been and how much they have enjoyed the exhibition, and that they cannot believe this is in Poole.

“A lot of visitors have said they’ve heard it in the news, but they are still quite surprised with just how many names are in it. They all think it is wonderful to be honest, a really positive response.”

Borough of Poole (BOP) cabinet portfolio holder for culture and leisure, Cllr Mohan Iyengar, said: “This is a real coup for our town – masterpieces down our High Street and free to view.

“I congratulate the museum team and I encourage everyone to make a note in the calendar to stop by.”

The exhibition explores drawing as one of the most effective ways for expressing and representing an artist’s ideas, explained a museum spokesman.

Visitors are also urged being urged to bring along their sketchbooks, or ask at the museum for drawing materials, just in case they are inspired by the masters.

BOP museum and arts manager Michael Spender said: “It is great to have this new partnership with the British Museum and ‘Lines of thought’ looks amazing in our newly redesigned and fitted exhibition galleries.”

After its Poole launch, the exhibition, supported by the Bridget Riley Art Foundation, will move northwards to Hull and eventually onto Belfast.

The refit of Poole Museum’s exhibition galleries has been supported by Arts Council England, South West Museums Development, Heritage Lottery Fund and visitors to the museum.

Poole Museum opens Monday to Saturday, 10am - 5pm, and Sunday, 12-5pm.

The free ‘Lines of thought’ exhibition runs until November 6.

Visit www.poolemuseum.co.uk