Photographs inspired by America and bold caricatures are among locally inspired paintings and sketches being hung at a seaside gallery.

The Shock of the New is a special showcase of Paul Dagys and Simon Partridge's works, running from Friday, until Monday, September 2.

An open reception on Saturday offers the chance to meet the artists and see the exhibition between 7-9pm at My Gallery in Waterloo Crescent, Dover.

This is the third exhibition there by retired photo journalist Paul Dagys, who says he has been photographing the 'weird side of America' for more than 30 years.

He has been to all of the first 48 states. His work has been published in LIFE, Forbes, and Smithsonian magazines, and exhibited at several venues in America, including Duke University and Robin Rice Gallery in New York.

He told Kentonline"I worked for three daily newspapers, primarily as a photographer.

"I'd carry a black and white camera for the newspaper and another camera for my personal photography."

These images captured on assignments and in his spare time were showcased for the first time at an exhibition in Memphis in 1984

Simon Partridge is a self-taught artist who studied English at the University of Oxford. He does A4 paintings and caricatures which will hang at the walls of the gallery for the length of the show.

My Gallery is part of Dover Smart project, a community interest group which shares the benefits of arts, education and activities with ever expanding sections of the community, including young carers, the homeless and the elderly.

The Shock of the New can be visited at My Gallery, Waterloo Crescent, Dover CT16 1LA between 1-5pm daily from Friday until Monday, September 2.Read more: all your latest news from Dover, Deal and Sandwich.

What's On: Find out about all the exhibitions, concerts and events in Kent this week