The MS PAINT Exhibition

In 2012 award winning alternative arts organisation the Peg Powler Gallery will be celebrating the most beloved digital art package of all time - MS PAINT. In the 1990s personal computers became a common fixture in homes, schools, and offices across the world. But in an era before photoshop, broadband internet and google images there were a select few applications that brought fun and creativity to a device associated with word processing and spreadsheets. MS Paint was one of those applications.

Packaged with all Windows computers as a humble accessory, MS Paint was the super simple drawing software used in tea breaks, IT lessons and at home when the latest game wouldn't load. Using the pencil, brush, line, shape, spay paint and bucket tools - along with a cheerful 12 colour palette - everyone could create a digital doodle or a bitmap masterpiece.

Peg Powler Gallery's MS Paint Exhibition will feature new works of art created in this classic medium by a diverse selection of artists from around the world. And, [in association with The Big Draw 2012], Peg Powler Gallery are putting a call out for everybody to join in by creating and submitting their own old school Paint creations.

Anyone can be part of the project. There are no restrictions on what you choose to draw, and it can be in any style. It doesn't have to be something that has been laboured over for a long time either - in the tradition of MS Paint drawings should be fun, quick and make creative use of the tools available.

Bob Fischer and BBC Tees 

In addition to regular submissions, we have teamed up with Bob Fischer of BBC Tees (on air every weekday 8-10pm) - asking listeners to the show to submit their own Paint Self-Portraits via his Facebook Club Wall. These will be exhibiting in a special 'Bob Fischer Wing' part of our show in April. 

To take part just follow these guidelines: 
 -You must only use the original Microsoft Windows versions (1.0 to XP) of MS Paint
 -Save your file as a Windows bitmap (24-bit, 256 colour, 16 colour or monochrome) and then attach it to an email along with your name, to info@pegpowler.com before the end of March 2012.