ARTISTS in and around Worcester will be opening their doors to the public this August Bank Holiday weekend for the second Worcestershire Open Studios event.

The event will take place from Friday August 26 to Monday August 29.

A spokesman said: "The public are invited into artists’ studios, homes and shared spaces to see a wide range of art and craft created in Worcestershire. Painting, printmaking, glasswork, photography, pottery, jewellery and textiles will all be featured.

"Visitors will have a chance to talk to artists about the inspiration behind their creations and watch some of them at work."

Across the county, over 100 artists will be taking part, and 45 different venues are involved.

Life-long painter Colin Ross Jack, who completes 50 to 80 pictures a year, is opening one of 16 venues in Worcester.

Colin said: "Visitors to my studio can expect to see a large variety of styles, subjects and sizes of work. Like all artists, I enjoy exhibiting and selling. A painting needs two people - someone to paint it and someone to take it away!”

Other city-based artists include Elaine Williams whose mixed media work is inspired by human emotion "and the beauty of natural forms and colour".

Internationally recognised artists, Sara Hayward and Paul Powis, are taking part for the second time. Their work includes seascapes, portraits and vibrant representational paintings, "which lean towards abstraction".

First timer, painter Anita Knitlova says, “It is a wonderful concept that brings together artists and the public, making art accessible to all. I was a visitor to many of the venues last year and it really feels as though it brings the work to life.”

The Boston Tea Party in the city centre plays host to an exhibition by the Art in Minds Foundation. The group supports adults with lived experience of mental ill health to express themselves creatively.

Artist Sally Anne Morgan, who is one of the event organisers, says, “Worcestershire Open Studios is a great opportunity to meet local artists and see a wide range of the fantastic artistic talent right here in our county. "Whether you’re an art lover or have never set foot in a gallery, you’ll receive a warm welcome.”

The Kestrel Gallery and Studio in Sidbury and The Kings and Mangojuice Galleries in New Street are also taking part, along with Origin Arts Limited, which "offers classes for budding artists".

Full details of participating artists and where to find them can be found at www.worcestershireopenstudios.org.uk