SKILLS from the past are alive and well and will be on display at Lancaster's City Museum until May 20.

TheCrafted Elements exhibition reveals that materials such as iron, wood, cane and fabrics handled with skill and design flair can still be exciting and inspiring.

On display will be Mike Barlow's driftwood constructions which have echoes of African sculpture and a story to tell. The carefully added touches of colour, pattern and lettering give the objects a mysterious presence.

Sue Gilmartin is fascinated by rag rugs - once a commonplace item in many houses in the north. Made using cast-off clothing or worn out blankets the traditional art of "progging" strips of fabric into a backing of hessian transforms the unwanted into an art form. Matt Turley obviously loves wood, either lathe-turned and polished or beautifully constructed into furniture. His work is subtle and sensuous but also well designed and practical, making use of native hardwoods from sustainable sources.

Denise Durham's baskets show a mastery of traditional shapes and techniques. She has a fine sense of form and pattern, using different types and colours of cane to good effect. Her skill has allowed her to branch out into the realms of sculpture.

Mike Woods can turn his hand to all manner of metalwork but the pieces on display show a playfulness that will be sure to raise a smile. He can turn bits of old cars into clocks which not only look amazing and have a satisfying tick but actually work as well! Look out for the amazing Wok Man.