Chance to see creators at work as Southwell artists open their studios

The eighth open studio event featuring a range of work by professional artists will be held in Southwell next weekend.

Southwell Artists, a group of artists who live in the town, have shown their work to the public since 2004.

The first event attracted more than 1300 visitors and raised £2,600 for the charity The Living Paintings Trust.

This year visitors can see work by 16 artists including five guest ones.

A total of ten venues will be available for people to visit, with a map of where to find them available on the Southwell Artists website.

"Our aim is to make the visual arts accessible to people of all ages, showing a wide range of approaches and techniques including painting, photography, sculpture and mixed media," said photographer Maggy Milner who will be among those taking part.

Other artists taking part include Jackie Berridge who exhibits nationally and internationally. Last year she had solo shows at the Rabley Contemporary Drawing Centre, Marlborough and the Tarpey Gallery. This year she was also invited to show in Seoul, Athens and London.

Artist Christine Measures moved to Southwell in 1964 and since then her work, mostly always commissions, is mainly of the Minster, both interior and exterior.

"I'm usually accompanied by my little dog Benji," she said. "He always waits patiently while I draw or paint."

Peter Cartwright studied at the Royal College of Art and taught fine art at Nottingham University until 1996. He now paints full time.

Heather Cartwright will be showing her work from the Sixties as a contrast to her more recent work – watercolours mainly seascapes from Cornwell and her drawing books which she takes out with her in the lanes which inspire her.

Free brochures with a map of the trail and details about the artists and their work are also available at local libraries, the Minster Centre on Church Street and other public venues.

"The trail takes visitors through our historic town," said Maggy. "They can visit the venues, see work and chat with artists who will have work on sale."

Admission costs £4 for both days, with children under 15 free, which can be paid at any one of the venues. Refreshments provided by Reach Learning Disability will be available.

All profits from the open studios will be given to Framework which helps provide housing, health, employment, support and care services to people with a range of needs.

The studios will be open on October 13 and 14 from 11am to 5pm.