GO: ART: BRUSH STROKES.

THE Indian cinema scene in Coventry is being remembered in an exhibition at the Herbert Art Gallery and Museum.

It started in Britain in the 1940s and became established in the 1970s when Asian people bought and restored failing cinemas. The two main Indian picture houses in Coventry are now closed - the Ritz in Longford Road and the Palladium in Hillfields.

Audiences are invited to take a cinema seat to see photographs and hear stories and film songs from this significant time in the making of post- war Britain. The show is called Kabhi Ritz Kabhi Palladium, Coventry's Asian Cinema Scene 1940s to 1980s.

The exhibition runs until June 13 and is open from 10am-5.30pm, Mondays to Saturdays, and from noon-5pm on Sundays.

YOUNGSTERS are invited to take part in a hunt for Scrabble pieces at Rugby Art Gallery and Museum during half-term next week. Children can win a small prize in the free event which starts tomorrow and runs until Sunday, February 22.

They can also meet Roman soldier Alex Davidson, who is back with a demonstration about the Roman army from 2pm to 4pm on Wednesday.

On Tuesday children, aged eight to 12 can take part in a two-hour session with textile artist Michaela McMillan exploring the idea of home, using art gallery exhibitions as inspiration. Places cost pounds 5.50 per child and can be booked in the Art Gallery on 01788 533201.

For more information phone [phone].

SHIAM WILCOX has won the Coventry Open Art Exhibition's Visitor Choice Prize with the chance to hold an exhibition within the Herbert Art Gallery and Museum later this year.

Shiam was the last of three winners to be announced - her prize is the result of a poll held during the show. She said: "Even though you enjoy making your work and like what you produce, it is wonderful when other people like it too, that's the best bit. So thanks everyone who voted. You really made my new year."

SIXTY students from Oxford's Ruskin School of Drawing and Fine Art have been given a free rein at the Museum of Modern Art in the town. They have organised an exhibition involving performances, sound work, and screenings designed to move away from the traditional parameters of art exhibitions. The collaborative event is called Atomic Art Bomb and runs for four days until Sunday. For more details phone the gallery on 01865 722733.

AMERICAN photographer Eric Uhlfelder is inspiring a passion for Venice at his first UK exhibition at the New Gallery, St Paul's Square, Birmingham.

It is part of the gallery's Venice Exhibition, containing work by artist Christopher Le Brun, but Uhlfelder's collection of Venice photography (1987-2002) is proving to be as popular as the highly collectable monoprints and etchings.

The Venice Exhibition is showing in the New Gallery until February 21 and is open from 11am-7pm, Monday to Friday, and 11-4pm on Saturdays.

THE Tate has launched an online study course, based on its collection, for all those who have an interest in finding more out about modern and contemporary art.

The introductory course is free, can be structured to the user's timetable and can be studied anytime in 2004-5. Further information at www.tate.org.uk/learning

KEEPER of archives at the Birmingham Institute of Art and Design (BIAD) Sian Everitt will be giving a talk on the history of Birmingham School of Art, including past staff and students and the changes in the nature of teaching art and design.

The lecture on Thursday is part of a series being held at BIAD in the lecture theatre of the Emma Jessie Phipps Building, BIAD, UCE, Corporation Street, Birmingham. There will be refreshments at 5.30pm, the lecture starts at 6pm and there will be questions after 7pm.